Model wanted to teach slain colleague a ‘lesson’

MANILA, Philippines - A model who was arrested in connection with the murder of fellow model and television talent Julie Ann Rodelas only wanted to teach her colleague “a lesson” for allegedly spreading rumors about her, police said yesterday.

Althea Altamirano, 23, was angry at Rodelas for reportedly telling their friends she had two children, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega said.

“We see no other motive except the grudge of Altamirano against Julie Ann,” he said, noting that the rumor affected the career of the suspect.

Altamirano and her boyfriend, Fernando Quiambao Jr., were arrested in Pampanga on Saturday by members of the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, QCPD Station 7, and Apalit, Pampanga police.

Investigators said when Altamirano complained to her boyfriend about the rumors, Quiambao allegedly said they will give Rodelas “a lesson.”

Altamirano – who confirmed that she does have two children – wept as she said she “didn’t know that (Rodelas) was going to be killed.” She alleged that it was her boyfriend who planned the kidnapping, adding that she was told Rodelas would just be beaten.

Rodelas, who was abducted while with Altamirano near the World Trade Center in Pasay City past midnight Tuesday, was shot dead and pushed from a sport utility vehicle in Cubao several hours later.

Following the abduction, Altamirano reported the incident to Pasay police, saying that two men abducted her friend.

But according to QCPD-CIDU head Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, the suspects’ original plan did not include reporting the incident to the police.

Altamirano was forced to report the incident after the police responded to the scene of abduction, Marcelo said.

Altamirano’s boyfriend denied involvement in the incident, but Marcelo said Quiambao already admitted to them that he was involved in the abduction of Rodelas.

CCTV video

Police were able to close in on Quiambao after he was identified as the person seen on a surveillance video buying burger at a fastfood restaurant in Ermita, Manila.

The time of his purchase coincided with the time printed on the official receipt that was recovered from the body of the victim, police said.

Several eyewitnesses also identified the Mitsubishi Montero used in the abduction and killing of Rodelas. The vehicle was registered to Quiambao’s mother.

1 dead, 2 more arrested

During the course of the investigation following the couple’s arrest, police said Quiambao told them about the involvement of a group in Culiat, Quezon City.

QCPD police officers conducted a follow-up operation at past midnight yesterday, arresting two more suspects and killing another in a shootout.

The slain suspect was identified as Bob Usman while those arrested were Gelen Pasewilan and Jaymar Waradge.

Marcelo said Waradge is believed to be involved in the abduction of Rodelas while Pasewilan was arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

Authorities are still looking for two other suspects believed to be involved in the actual killing of Rodelas. The arrested suspects, meanwhile, will face charges of murder and illegal possession of firearms.