3 suspects in UPLB student killing held

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna—All the suspects in the murder of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) student Ray Bernard Peñaranda are now in the hands of the police.

Chief Supt. James Melad, regional police director in Calabarzon, confirmed the arrest of Carl “Dactil” de Guzman, 27, before

2 p.m. on Friday in Daraga, Albay, where he went into hiding at his relatives’ home in Barangay Tagas.

De Guzman was the third suspect to fall, following the surrender on Thursday night of Tyrone Kennedy Terbio, 19, to broadcaster Raffy Tulfo and Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

Terbio, the one who allegedly stabbed Peñaranda in the chest, was now held at the detention cell of the Laguna police office in Sta. Cruz town, said Laguna police director Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz on Friday.

De Guzman, who allegedly drove the suspects’ motorcycle, would be turned over by the Daraga police to the Laguna police office by Friday night, said Albay police director Supt. William Macavinta.

Terbio and De Guzman were named by confessed lookout Joseph Beltran, who earlier surrendered to the police.

All three suspects now faced robbery with homicide charges at a court in Calamba City, said Cruz.

Peñaranda, 19, UPLB agriculture student, was stabbed dead in a failed holdup as he and two other students were walking home to their dormitory in Batong Malake at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

His death sparked an outcry in the UPLB community as it happened less than a week after high school student Rochel Geronda of Los Baños National High School was raped and murdered in the same area.

The killings  also prompted the   relief of the town’s police force. With a report from Mar Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon