Suspect in rob-slay of PLM grad surrenders

MANILA, Philippines - A man accused of killing a graduate of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during a jeepney robbery surrendered to the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday.

Melvin Balajadia, 29, surrendered to police officers in Tacloban City and was met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by MPD Station 7 commander Superintendent Roderick Mariano, according to Senior Superintendent Robert Po, MPD deputy director for administration.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the filing of appropriate charges against Balajadia and his alleged accomplice, Gerald Camua, with the city prosecutor’s office for the death of Kristine Dawn Concepcion, 20.

Concepcion graduated cum laude with a degree in tourism and was working for a major hotel in Makati City when she was shot dead on March 6.

The two men are allegedly members of the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik crime gang and resident of Tambunting street in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Balajadia claimed it was Camua who shot Concepcion and that the killing was not part of their plan, which was only to rob jeepney passengers. Camua remains at large.

A source said the gun used in the crime belongs to a relative of one of the suspects who was discharged from the military.

Balajadia’s father, Alvino, said his wife, Rebecca, had convinced their son to surrender.

According to the MPD, Concepcion was shot in the head when she refused to hand over her bag and valuables to the suspects when they staged the heist at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Tambunting streets.

Concepcion’s father sought Lim’s help to catch his daughter’s killer.

Alvino said his son could not have shot Concepcion because he was lefthanded and the girl was shot in the right side of the face.