Slain doctor’s ex-lover pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - Slain dermatologist Russel Fritz Saliganan’s former lover pleaded not guilty Monday to the murder charge filed against him.

John Patrick Torres was indicted Monday before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi. He denied killing Saliganan, who was found dead in his apartment in Cubao on Jan. 11.

The dermatologist, an openly homosexual man, sustained stab wounds in his neck and body which caused his death. Police arrested the suspect in a mall in Cubao on Jan. 13 with the help of the victim’s friends.

Assistant City Prosecutor Nanette Austria noted the testimony of a hearing-impaired witness who claimed seeing Torres in the company of Saliganan several hours before the dermatologist was found murdered in his home.

Earlier reports said the victim had wanted to end the affair with Torres as the latter was said to be possessive.

Legaspi set the preliminary conference of the case on April 4 and scheduled the pre-trial hearing on May 28.