Love triangle eyed in student’s slay

CEBU, Philippines —  One of the two robbers who stabbed dead an 18-year-old male senior high school student was arrested yesterday afternoon.

The robber, whose identity is withheld by cops pending the arrest of the other suspect, allegedly the primary culprit, is currently detained in Pardo Police Station’s lockup cell.

The robbers stabbed dead James Daniel Espinosa after the latter fought off the suspects in dimly-lit portion of Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City Tuesday night. The place is reportedly known to be a dating site for young couples because it’s overlooking the city’s skyline.

Espinosa, a grade 11 student and a resident of Barangay Mambaling, also in Cebu City, succumbed to stab wounds to his chest and right arm.

Espinosa was with his minor girlfriend, who was left unhurt.

The girlfriend told police that the robbers attacked them and tried to steal her smartphone, but Espinosa fought it out with the suspects.

The bloodied victim was found slumped on the ground when responding police arrived.

Love Triangle

Police Major John Kareen Escober, Pardo Police Station chief, said cops are eyeing love triangle, not robbery/theft, as the primary motive in the murder.

“We are looking at love triangle, not robbery, as the motive based on our initial investigation,” he said.

He said Espinosa and the suspects were fighting over a girl.

“Nag-away ni sila tungod sa uyab,” said Escober.

Justice

Edward Espinosa and his wife, Nelita Espinosa,74, are seeking justice for her grandson’s death.

Nelita said her grandson was supposed to attend his Junior-Senior Promenade (JS Prom) tomorrow, March 13.

The grandparents showed to the press the blue tuxedo James was supposed to wear for the prom night.

James was living with his grandparents.

Shooting

Just two hours after the stabbing incident in Barangay Pardo, a motorist was shot dead in Rocky Hills Village in Barangay Tisa in Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Edgar Egdamin,39, a resident of Barangay Quiot.

Authorities are yet to determine the suspect/s and motive behind Egdamin’s death.

In a separate incident yesterday morning, a man linked to illegal drugs was found dead with gunshot wound in the head in Barangay Inawayan.

The victim, Bencio Laguras, worked in a junk shop.

Laguras’ body was found by his employer, Ronald Villaber, at around 7 in the morning.  KQD (FREEMAN)