Murder raps filed vs suspect in Abalos kin's slay

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – Police on Tuesday filed two counts of murder against a suspect in the killing of a grandniece of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos and her friend in a hotel in Angeles City last Sunday.

Blessed John Albano, 19, was charged before the Angeles City prosecutor’s office, said Senior Superintendent Eden Ugale, Angeles City police chief.

Ugale said Albano was arrested after negotiations with his mother in Barangay Burgos in Ramon, Isabela.

Albano allegedly stabbed Ely Rose Abalos, 19, after a heated argument. When Princess Costales tried to intervene, she was also stabbed.

The bodies of the victims, one of them naked, were found in two rooms at Clarkview Hotel in Barangay Malabanias. The bodies bore stab wounds in the neck.

Ugale said Albano, Ely Rose’s former classmate and boyfriend, had wanted to reconcile with her.

Abalos condemns killings

“I condemn these killings. No person in his right mind can commit such a crime,” Abalos told The STAR.

He said Ely Rose, a daughter of his nephew based in Ilagan, Isabela, was set to fly to Malaysia this week to marry her Malaysian boyfriend.

Abalos said the mother of the victim, an overseas worker in the Middle East, called him up on Sunday morning to relay the news.

“I immediately called Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan,” he said.

Abalos said initial investigation showed that the suspect was high on drugs. He said he would be a private prosecutor in the case to ensure justice for the victims, even as he stressed the need for the government to implement a stronger anti-drug campaign.

Meanwhile, Isabela Vice Gov. Tony Pet Albano clarified that he is not related to the family of the suspect. – With Perseus Echeminada