Suspect in robbery-slay of nursing grads, student surrenders to police


A man who confessed to be one the suspects behind the robbery-slay of a nursing student and two nursing graduates in Caloocan City has surrendered to the Quezon City police after he "was bothered by his conscience."

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Ronald Cajepe, 38, turned himself in to the Batasan Police Station around 12:10 p.m. of Thursday and confessed his involvement in the crime.

(QCPD-PIO/ MANILA BULLETIN)

"Akala ko ay magnanakaw lang kami ng mga kasamahan ko pero dahil nakilala sila ng mga biktima ay pinatay nila yung tatlo (We thought that we would just rob the victims, but my companions killed them because they were recognized)," Cajepe told police.

Police said that Cajepe "was bothered by his conscience" and sought the help of "his younger sister." The latter then reached out to Batasan Police deputy station commander Maj. Sandie Caparroso to tell "him of her brother’s willingness to surrender."

On September 27, nursing student Arjay Belencio, 22, and nursing graduates Mona Ismael, 22, and Glydel Belonio, 28, were found dead with several stab wounds inside a house under construction in Amparo Subdivision. An ATM card where the suspects' salaries were being sent was also taken away, according to police.

Cajepe was the fourth of the five suspects to surrender to the police. The others who are already under police custody are brothers Adonis, Aldin and Anselmo Singcol. 

Meanwhile, police said, a certain Victorino "Bingbing" Sarmiento, who "ordered the killing of the victims," remains at large.

Initially, the Caloocan police only identified four persons of interest. Cajepe's involvement in the crime was only discovered when Anselmo, the third to surrender, disclosed it to police.

Caloocan Police chief Col. Dario Menor called the "case closed."