Killer of pregnant woman, niece in Mandaluyong nabbed

Benjamin Pardinez Jr.—PHOTO BY EARVIN PERIAS

Police from Mandaluyong and Camarines Norte have arrested the suspect who stabbed dead his five-month pregnant live-in partner and her 11-year-old niece in Mandaluyong City last April.

Eastern Police District (EPD) Director Chief Supt. Bernabe Balba identified the suspect as Benjamin Pardinez Jr., 44, who had three registered addresses in Bacoor, Cavite, Quezon and Camarines Norte provinces.

Pardinez was arrested around 9:15 a.m. by members of the Mandaluyong City Police investigation unit led by Chief Insp. Norman dela Rosa and Labo Municipal Station policemen headed by Chief Insp. Roberto Marinda in Camarines Norte.

Mandaluyong City Police Senior Supt. Moises Villaceran said Pardinez stabbed to death Ma. Rosa Paunil and her niece inside a condominium unit in April this year.

The arrest was based on an Aug. 1, 2018, warrant issued by Judge Joanne Hernandez-Lazo of Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 5 for the crime of murder with unintentional abortion and another murder.

The motive for the killings was jealousy, the EPD said.

According to Balba’s report, Dela Rosa’s team went to Labo in Camarines Norte to serve the warrant around 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Pardinez is currently at the city police’s detention cell.

Villaceran said the suspect surrendered to the police station in Camarines Norte.