MPD releases sketch of suspect in engineer's rob-slay

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) released yesterday a sketch of one of the four suspects in the rob-slay of an engineer in Sampaloc, Manila Monday morning.

Police will try to determine the identities of the other suspects through footage taken by the barangay’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed near the victim’s house along Dapitan street, according to Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo who heads the MPD homicide section.

Edwin Cosme, 42, who operated a manpower recruitment agency for construction projects, was robbed and stabbed dead by four men who managed to enter his second-floor office by pretending to apply for jobs as construction workers.

His accountant and a helper at his canteen discovered his body under a computer table at his office.

PO3 Jonathan Ruiz said the suspects ransacked the victim’s office. Some jewelry, cash and cell phones were reported missing.

The victim sustained three stab wounds and a bashed skull. The victim also tried to put up a fight indicative of the defense wounds on both arms, police said.

Investigators lamented the refusal of Cosme’s brother, Butz, to cooperate in the investigation, insisting that he will seek the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Police said a mouse from one of the victim’s computers had blood stains indicating the suspects tried to read something from the victim’s computer files.

According to Ma. Teresa, she had noticed a passenger jeepney with unidentified men on board frequenting their area shortly before her husband’s murder. The female helper also recognized one of the suspects as the same man who visited the canteen last Saturday and took a good look at Cosme as he was coming down from the office. – Nestor Etolle