Houseboys kill employer

CALATAGAN, Batangas — An uncle of a Batangas provincial board member was robbed and brutally killed by his two helpers in his farmhouse here early yesterday morning, police said.

Probers said the suspects, identified as Hermogenes Estoquia and Jay Estoquia, barged into the room of their employer, Julio Berberabe, 75, and hacked and stabbed him to death after a drinking bout in their quarters.

The two fled with Berberabe’s gun, assorted jewelry and cassette player. They are now being hunted down.

Berberabe’s daughter Luz said they had treated the suspects as part of their family. Perhaps, she said the Estaquios thought her father already had the money which her mother would send for the purchase of a cow.

Neighbors, awakened by the noise created by the old man’s pigs, found him dead at about 8 a.m. yesterday.

The victim is the uncle of provincial board member Godofredo Berberabe Jr. of the second district.