Arraignment of suspects in model’s slay set'

MANILA, Philippines - Three persons arrested for the murder of model and television talent Julie Ann Rodelas are set to be arraigned on Monday, officials said yesterday.

The arraignment of model Althea Altamirano; her boyfriend, tattoo shop owner Fernando Quiambao Jr.; and Gelen Pasawilan was set after the case was raffled off on Thursday to Quezon City Judge Caridad Walse-Lutero of Regional Trial Court Branch 223.

On Monday, inquest Prosecutor Alessandro Jurado recommended the filing of murder charges against Quiambao and Altamirano, who are being accused of masterminding the abduction and killing of Rodelas.

Altamirano earlier admitted that she agreed to the plan of Quiambao to teach Rodelas, her friend and colleague, “a lesson” for allegedly spreading a rumor that she has two children. The model, who admitted that the rumor is true, insisted that she did not know Rodelas would be killed.

Quiambao was linked to the incident after a surveillance camera video at a fastfood chain in Manila showed him buying food at a time that coincided with what was printed on the receipt recovered from Rodelas’ body.

Altamirano and Quiambao were arrested in Apalit, Pampanga last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Pasawilan will be arraigned on the charges of illegal possession of firearms. He was arrested past midnight last Sunday during a follow-up operation by members of the Quezon City Police District in Culiat, Quezon City.

Police said Pasawilan was not involved in the case of Rodelas but was arrested after a shooting incident ensued which led to the death of a certain Bob Usman.

A fourth suspect, Jaymar Waradje, admitted his involvement in the abduction of Rodelas but said he was not involved her murder. He will also be charged with murder, according to the latest resolution issued by the prosecutor.

Waradje identified Efren Talib and an alias Aldos, who are at large, as the men who raped Rodelas in a “safehouse” in Barangay Culiat and later killed her in Cubao.

Rape raps eyed

Meanwhile, rape charges are being readied against Talib and Aldos, with police saying there were “elements of rape” in the case.

“We will be submitting additional rape charges against the perpetrators,” said Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega, director of the Quezon City Police District.

“As far as the elements of rape are concerned, there was intimidation. There was abduction. And the medico-legal report stated there was laceration in the hymen. I would say again that it’s positive, there was penetration,” said Dr. Bonifacio Chua, head of the Crime Laboratory in Quezon City.

Chua said he would divulge details of the autopsy report in court, which he said was the proper venue.

Waradje had insinuated in his affidavit that the victim was raped twice, citing words uttered by Talib and Aldos pointing to the supposed sexual assault. According to Dela Vega, they would use as primary evidence the statement of Waradje in pushing for the rape charges against the suspects.

Dela Vega said they would use also as “backup evidence” the medico-legal report, which confirmed the rape.