3 students nabbed for schoolmate’s slay

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines  – Three of the six maritime students tagged in the killing of their schoolmate three months ago were arrested yesterday.

Brylle Lopez, 20; Bryan Garcia, 20; and Rommel Gagua, 19, were arrested at their homes in Balaoan town, said Senior Superintendent Francisco Esguerra, chief of the regional criminal investigation and detection group.

Esguerra said the court is still evaluating the charges against the three other suspects – Aaron Tapiz, Christian Abayon and Melquiades Corpuz.

The suspects were accused of beating to death Jerome Lopez last Aug. 9 in Barangay Lingsat.

City police chief Superintendent Julius Suriben said Bernard Lopez surrendered his son Brylle and nephew Bryan to the police.

Brylle and Bryan were identified by the victim’s cousin, Unica Nodora, 20, as among those who allegedly beat Jerome.