Minor accused of killing florist faces drug raps

CEBU, Philippines - The 16-year-old boy accused of killing florist Daniel Cañete is also facing drugs charges on top of the robbery with homicide case filed against him.

The Cebu Intelligence Branch yesterday filed a case for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against the minor after he was arrested midnight in Barangay Kamagayan last Thursday in possession of an ampoule of nubain.

State prosecutor Gandhi Truya said the minor manifested during inquest proceedings that he will face the charges in court.

Truya said the minor may be released from police custody in the robbery and homicide charges because he was not caught in the act of committing the crime. Cañete was killed on October 19 while the minor was arrested only five days later on October 23.

Truya said the minor will be given a chance to submit his defenses by filing a counter-affidavit.

“This is not a hot pursuit operation. Wala siya didto during sa discovery sa crime. Wala say nakakita niya doing the crime. Walay ginukdanay. Iyang ngan ni came out in the course of investigation,” Truya said.

In between tears, the minor denied the allegations, saying he could not have possibly killed someone who cared for him. Cañete was reportedly his former boyfriend.

He said he went to the flower shop in Sikatuna Street, Barangay Day-as when he learned that Cañete was killed. The florist was found dead inside the shop by two of his employees.

For his part, Cañete’s 21-year-old son, Stephen Mark, said he is happy of the cases against the minor.

“Nalipay ko nga hapit na siya ilubong, na-file ang kaso. Apan di ko muhunong sa pagpangita og justice kay naa pani siyay kauban, nagtuo ko nga tulo ni sila,” he said.

SPO4 Daniel Tarucan, the investigator of the case, said evidence gathered, so far, points to the minor as the suspect. Two other minors who were invited earlier for questioning have been released from custody.

Police have made a 17-year-old boy a state witness after he was able to explain the presence of his finger prints at the flower shop.

Tarucan said the 17-year-old was straightforward and spontaneous during questioning. The child had disclosed that he and the two 16-year-olds were with Cañete at a bar at the South Road Properties on October 17, 2014. He said Cañete invited them to the flower shop and allegedly gave them P1,400 after he allegedly molested them.

Despite what happened, they said they did not kill Cañete.

“Ang 17-year-old nahimo nga state witness. Among nakita nga walay grudge ang maong minor sa biktima kay pirmiro paman nilang kita niadtong Friday. Usa pa sad, walay capacity ang bata to kill the victim knowing gamay siya whereas ang respondent naa mi nakita nga grudge,” Tarucan said.

The possible reason, Tarucan said, is Cañete’s decision of breaking up with the minor and disallowing him from entering the flower shop thereafter. Other fingerprints at the crime scene also matched those of the minor charged.

The victim lost P250,000 cash. — Mylen P. Manto/JMO (FREEMAN)