Man arrested for staging ‘suicide’

MANILA, Philippines - A man was arrested for reportedly robbing and killing his neighbor, then making it look like his victim committed suicide, police said yesterday.

Simeon Gianan, 60, of Barangay San Martin de Porres, underwent inquest proceedings for robbery with homicide, Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said

The prosecutor’s office recommended the filing of charges before the court, with no bail granted.

Albano said Gianan was arrested Wednesday night in his neighborhood for allegedly robbing and killing Jacqueline Villareal, 44.

The victim’s husband, Garry, found Villareal hanging by a nylon rope around her neck in the master bedroom.

Inspector Elmer Monsalve said the suspect tried to make it look like the woman committed suicide, but the woman’s body bore stab wounds and there were cuts on her neck and both wrists.

He said there were items missing from the house: a mobile phone, a camera and a pouch containing P5,000.

Three witnesses saw the suspect come out of the house before the discovery of Villareal’s body. A surveillance camera also caught Gianan going out of Villareal’s house.