Marikina thrill killer arrested

The Marikina City police arrested a suspected “thrill killer” at dawn yesterday after he went into a stabbing spree, killing one person and seriously wounding two others.

Canteen helper Rodelio Condes, 22, also known as Junny Badjao, was watching television at a branch of a popular fastfood chain along Marcos Highway when Marvin Silva and his two companions accidentally stepped on his foot.

Condes had a heated argument with Silva, who works as a kitchen staff at the fastfood restaurant, until cooler heads prevailed.

Silva and his companions continued walking towards a nearby jeepney stop when Condes, armed with a knife, ran after them.

Condes stabbed Silva four times in the back. He also stabbed Silva’s co-worker, Samsey Eraga, 20, several times. Their companion escaped unscathed.

Marikina City police chief Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. said Silva died at the Salve Regina Hospital while Eraga is now fighting for his life at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

Condes escaped after the incident, but police officers from Marikina’s criminal investigation division, Special Weapons and Tactics unit and Police Community Precinct 2 caught him on the roof of the house where he resides.

Ramos said Condes admitted killing Silva. The suspect also said he killed another man, Allan Ortega, and attacked four others last year.

Condes attacked his victims because they gave him dagger looks, according to Ramos.

“He claimed his parents were always quarrelling and he doesn’t know why he attacked persons who stared badly at him,” Ramos said.

Condes said he doesn’t know where his parents are now.

He added that Mang Boy, who owns the canteen where he works, raised him.

Ramos said that last year, Marikina Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando alerted him to the presence of a thrill killer in Barangay San Roque.

He ordered a 24-hour surveillance of the area but failed to encounter the alleged thrill killer.

At least four other complainants went to the Marikina police headquarters following Condes’ arrest, saying he attacked them last year, Ramos said.

When Ramos asked the complainants why it took them so long to file a formal complaint, they said they were afraid that Condes would kill them.

Ramos is preparing appropriate charges against Condes, who is detained at the Marikina City police detention center.