Security guard who shot to death Grade 7 student inside classroom finally arrested
Published Jul 9, 2019 08:43 am
By Marjaleen Ramos and Aaron Recuenco
The security guard who shot dead a Grade 7 student inside a school in Calamba City has been arrested on Tuesday.
(Photo courtesy of Laguna Police / MANILA BULLETIN)
Col. Eleazar Matta, director of the Laguna Provincial Police Office, said Renando "Renz Ivan" Valderama was arrested at around 4 a.m. in Barangay Bucal in Calamba City.
Valderama was tagged as the one who shot dead Mark Anthony Miranda, 15, a Grade 7 student at Castor Alviar National High School, and a resident of Barangay Pansol last July 4.
Reports said that the suspect suddenly barged into Miranda's classroom at around 12:30 p.m. last July 4 and shot him in front of his classmates.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound at the back of the head and was rushed to the HealthServ Los Baños Medical Center, where he was pronounced brain-dead. Miranda died at around 4 p.m.
Matta said hunger has forced the suspect to go out of his hiding place five days after the incident.
During the interrogation, Matta said Valderama disclosed that he went into hiding after the shooting in the hilly portions of Calamba City.
"Initial interview with him revealed that for the last five days, he stayed in the hilly portion of Barangay Masili and would go to the lakeside of Laguna de Bay just to drink water" said Matta.
"His hunger forced him to go down to look for food," he added.
Valderama was seen walking along the track of the Philippine National Railways. Some of the residents who recognized him immediately sought police assistance.
Seized from him was a backpack containing the revolver believed to be the one used in the killing.
"We are preparing illegal possession of firearms charge against the suspect and will strengthen the murder charge against him in relation to the killing," said Matta.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jacinto Malinao earlier reported that Valderama had been taking care of Miranda since his mother was detained for drugs-related charges.
Malinao also added that the victim had previously filed four counts of sexual abuse against Valderama, under Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
The Department of Education earlier admitted that the institution had lax security. Malinao said the school has no security guards.
(Photo courtesy of Laguna Police / MANILA BULLETIN)
Col. Eleazar Matta, director of the Laguna Provincial Police Office, said Renando "Renz Ivan" Valderama was arrested at around 4 a.m. in Barangay Bucal in Calamba City.
Valderama was tagged as the one who shot dead Mark Anthony Miranda, 15, a Grade 7 student at Castor Alviar National High School, and a resident of Barangay Pansol last July 4.
Reports said that the suspect suddenly barged into Miranda's classroom at around 12:30 p.m. last July 4 and shot him in front of his classmates.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound at the back of the head and was rushed to the HealthServ Los Baños Medical Center, where he was pronounced brain-dead. Miranda died at around 4 p.m.
Matta said hunger has forced the suspect to go out of his hiding place five days after the incident.
During the interrogation, Matta said Valderama disclosed that he went into hiding after the shooting in the hilly portions of Calamba City.
"Initial interview with him revealed that for the last five days, he stayed in the hilly portion of Barangay Masili and would go to the lakeside of Laguna de Bay just to drink water" said Matta.
"His hunger forced him to go down to look for food," he added.
Valderama was seen walking along the track of the Philippine National Railways. Some of the residents who recognized him immediately sought police assistance.
Seized from him was a backpack containing the revolver believed to be the one used in the killing.
"We are preparing illegal possession of firearms charge against the suspect and will strengthen the murder charge against him in relation to the killing," said Matta.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jacinto Malinao earlier reported that Valderama had been taking care of Miranda since his mother was detained for drugs-related charges.
Malinao also added that the victim had previously filed four counts of sexual abuse against Valderama, under Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
The Department of Education earlier admitted that the institution had lax security. Malinao said the school has no security guards.