Couple, son charged for expat's murder

CEBU, Philippines - A couple and their 17-year-old son were indicted for killing a Canadian national after they have robbed him of his cash and other valuables in the mountain barangay of Adlaon.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday filed before the Regional Trial Court the case for robbery with homicide against Rolando Alburot and his wife Marilyn including their minor son.

Assistant Cebu City prosecutor Rodulph Joseph Val Carillo found probable cause to indict them of the crime after Rolando admitted having killed Canadian national Darcy Hanz Rentenberg last month.

Rolando claimed to have killed Rentenberg after the latter allegedly tried to shoot him when he tried to collect his salary for building the victim’s rest house in Barangay Adlaon.

According to Rolando, the victim owes him P5,000 but got mad when he asked for the amount. He said Rentenberg pulled out a .357 magnum revolver and tried to shoot him prompting him to defend himself by grabbing the firearm.

After killing the victim, Rolando said, he immediately wrapped the body in a blanket and buried it under an improvised kiln used for making charcoals. Rolando also admitted taking the victim’s P50,000 cash, a laptop and a cellphone.

Rolando said his wife and their son are not involved in it but the police said the three have conspired to commit the crime. In fact, it was the wife who sold the laptop and the cellphone for P8,000 and P1,000, respectively.

Rolando said they used the money to buy seven piglets and a carabao. The victim, who lives in Mandaue City, has been reported missing since June 25. It was only last week that his murder was uncovered by the police.   - (THE FREEMAN)