3 cop teams hunting down suspect in UPLB coed’s slay

BIÑAN CITY, Philippines – Police have launched a regional manhunt for the 19-year-old primary suspect in the robbery-slay of University of the Philippines-Los Baños student Maria Victoria Reyes here last Monday.

Chief Superintendent James Melad, Calabarzon police director, said they have formed three teams to track down the suspect, Benigno Nayle Jr., across the region, particularly in Laguna.

Nayle was a former resident of Don Pablo Subdivision in Barangay San Vicente this city.

Melad quoted two eyewitnesses as saying that Nayle was alone when he robbed and killed UPLB BS Agriculture student Maria Victoria Reyes in her home at Ferlins Subdivision, also in Barangay San Vicente.

He said police investigators are ready to file charges of robbery with homicide against Nayle before the Biñan prosecutor’s office today.

Melad assured Reyes’ family that the police would never stop the manhunt until Nayle is arrested.

The cash reward for Nayle’s arrest was increased yesterday to P500,000 with Gov. Jeorge Ejercito contributing P300,000 and Biñan Mayor Mylene Alonte, P200,000.

Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 4-A, said Nayle has pending derogatory records such as attempted homicide, malicious mischief, physical injuries and direct assault before the regional trial court in Biñan.

Balba said the manhunt would continue even if there were supposed surrender feelers from Nayle’s family.

Reyes, a third-year UPLB student, was alone in her home when tragedy befell her. She was found dead by her father Sixto at around 12:40 p.m. on Monday.

Police said Reyes could have been stabbed first when she was awakened before Nayle carted away her laptop, camera, cell phone and undetermined amount of cash and fled.

The two witnesses told police they saw Nayle running away from the Reyes residence with bloodstains on his T-shirt.

They said Nayle wore a baseball cap and carried a bag, and was changing his shirt as he ran away.