17-year-old murder suspect gets away from CSWO's care

CEBU, Philippines – A 17-year-old boy escaped from the City Social Welfare Office (CSWO) a day before the police were to file a criminal complaint against him in connection with the alleged stabbing to death of a man working at one of the companies located at the Mactan Economic Zone.

The boy was gone when Insp. Jacinto Mandal and a team from the Lapu-Lapu police went to fetch him from the CSWO for inquest at the city fiscal's office.

The police theorized that the boy escaped through the window last Sunday evening.

The social welfare office is adjacent the city hall building and the police office.

But CSWO chief Ermelita Degamo was not available for comment since she was in a meeting with Mayor Paz Radaza and other department heads yesterday.

The police filed a homicide with robbery case yesterday against the boy and his three adult companions for the killing Wednesday last week of Arjie Panuncial, 28.

The boy and one Marlon Quilantang, 23, were arrested last Saturday or two days after the commission of the crime.

Still at large are Quirwen Amoin, 22, and an unidentified companion.

The boy was turned over the following day to CSWO for custody as mandated by the new law protecting the rights of minors in conflict with the law.

Mandal said the assigned guard could also be held liable for evasion through negligence punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

"Maka file man mi ug reklamo pero naa man tay gitawag ug proper forum. One thing, the head of the office will conduct its own investigation," he said.

Panuncial was with two co-Mez workers having a drink at a video karaoke in barangay Basak when they decided to take a walk.

On the way, they met a group of women accompanied by four alleged male pimps, including the 17-year-old boy.

As alleged, they failed to agree on the amount they would pay the women for sexual services.

Panuncial and his group started walking back to the karaoke bar when attacked by the four pimps.

A homicide investigation report said the group of men ganged up on Panuncial stabbing him again and again until he fell to the ground, while his companions escaped.  (FREEMAN)