Pempengco sis files murder raps vs suspect Capili

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—A sister of Ricky Pempengco, the father of international pop star Charice, has filed murder charges against self-confessed killer Angel Capili.

Russel Pempengco-Mehira was accompanied by Pempengco’s wife Raquel and daughter Charice when she signed the complaint affidavit against Capili at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor here Friday morning.

It was not clear why Mehira, an elder sister of Ricky, was the one who signed the affidavit instead of Raquel, but according to Charice’s manager, Grace Mendoza, “it was because (Mehira) was the first one (in the family) who was there (right after the murder).”

“Raquel’s family anyway was present (during the inquest) to give their support,” added Mendoza.

Capili, a construction worker, surrendered to authorities on Thursday and admitted to killing Pempengco in Barangay Laram, here on Monday but insisted that it was self-defense.

Pempengco separated from Raquel when Charice, now 19, was only three.

After the inquest, Charice and her mother returned to the Divine Mercy Viewing Chapel in Muntinlupa City where her father’s remains lie.

In a brief statement to the Inquirer at the chapel’s doorstep, Raquel said the family felt “happy” with Capili now in detention.

“She’s fine. She just hopes the (preliminary investigation) finishes faster than (the usual) 7-10 days,” Raquel said of Charice, who stayed inside a room in the chapel.

Pempengco’s remains will be interred Saturday afternoon at the Pasture of Heaven Memorial Park in Laguna’s Cabuyao town where Raquel moved to after their separation.

During the inquest, Capili opted to invoke his right to a preliminary investigation. This means he would be given a chance to submit his defense which, in turn, would be evaluated by the prosecutor’s office, according to provincial prosecutor George Dee.

Murder, committed with premeditation, carries a maximum penalty of lifetime imprisonment, while homicide, a bailable offense, can result to a convict spending at least 12 years in prison, Dee said.

Capili was placed under the police’s custody while investigation was being conducted, Dee said.