Murder, theft and arson

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed murder and theft charges against the self-confessed killer of movie scribe and publicist Eli Formaran at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Eric Alba, also known as Eric Palanca, 26, of San Juan, was charged in court following his arrest by government agents at the house of his girlfriend in Sampaloc, Manila last Thursday.

Arson charges are also expected to be filed against Alba in the coming days.

The murder and theft charges were filed before Quezon City Fiscal Florante Ramolete late Thursday. A certain Vilma Formaran-Nanadiego, of Tondo, Manila, acted as the complainant.

Alba’s arrest came after lawmen traced Formaran’s missing cell phone to Alba’s girlfriend.

The suspect claimed he killed Formaran in self-defense when the latter tried to force him to use shabu and have sex with him inside his unit at the Villa La Golondrina Condominium in New Manila, Quezon City last May 25.

Alba alleged that his refusal to give in to the desires of Formaran angered the latter, who then grabbed a kitchen knife and tried to stab him.

A cursory examination on Formaran’s body revealed the movie scribe sustained 14 stab wounds and ligature marks around his neck. Formaran was found in a pool of his own blood inside the comfort room last May 26 by his household companions Froilan Flancia and Rey Santiago.

A kitchen knife and cell phone charger cord were recovered by police from the crime scene.

The ocular inspection also revealed that some of Formaran’s belongings, including two mobile phones, were missing.

The bedroom was likewise set on fire by the suspect, destroying the cabinet and ceiling of the room.

Police previously said Formaran’s assailant was his lover and that they had met twice prior to the incident.

Alba had denied having a relationship with Formaran. The suspect said he met Formaran last April at a hotel in Quezon City, where he was working as a waiter.