Murder raps filed versus American's GF, 3 others

CEBU, Philippines - A criminal complaint for murder was filed yesterday against four of the five gang members, including three minors, who allegedly killed a 76-year-old American national inside his apartment last week.

The Cebu City Police Office filed the complaint against the alleged gunman Cyril Jordan Galiste, 20, and three highschoolers who are all minors; two are females including the 16-year-old girlfriend of the victim.

 The fifth member of the gang, Tanduay Survivor Clan, Aldez Flores, 27, who served as lookout was not included in the complaint because he remains at large.

Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Joseph Val Carillo, who is assigned to the case, said the suspects requested for a preliminary investigation. They signed a waiver of detention pending the resolution of the complaint.

Carillo said the suspects will be required to submit their counter-affidavits within seven days. They were accused in the murder of Leamon Wesley Casteen Jr. on March 30 inside his apartment at Sanciangko Street.

Jealousy is said to be the motive behind the crime. Casteen’s 16-year-old girlfriend reportedly got jealous because he went back to his former live-in partner.

The suspect planned the murder and called on her friends in the gang to help her. They stormed the victim’s apartment and shoot him dead. (FREEMAN)