Family members gang up, maul funeral home owner, exec in Pasay City
Rhino, the victim with head injury (Photo from Pasay City Police)
Four members of a family were arrested for ganging up on and mauling a funeral home owner and its chief executive officer (CEO) on Tuesday night, June 17, in Pasay City.
Col. Joselito de Sesto, Pasay City Police chief, identified the suspects as Jereeko, 26; Jimuelle, 22; Jennine, 25; and Eleonor, 53, who were residing at the compound located at the back of Veronica Funeral Homes in Arnaiz Avenue, Barangay 66, Pasay City.
De Sesto said the victims were identified as Baby, 72, the owner of the funeral home, and Rhino, 42, the CEO.
He said a fire broke out at the staff house located at the back of the funeral home at around 5:00 p.m. and was placed under control at 6:20 p.m.
The city police chief said Rhino, together with Baby, hosted a meal for the firefighters after the fire was placed under control. Jeannine, one of the suspects, suddenly approached the owner and poured water on her without any reason.
De Sesto said Rhino immediately held the suspect in the arm to stop her.
He said the other suspects, Jereeko and Jimuel, who saw the incident, approached Rhino at the back and started mauling him, causing severe head injuries. He was immediately brought to the hospital for treatment.
Eleonor, another suspect, took Baby’s cellular phone, an IPhon16 Promax worth P105,000, and threw it on the floor.
Jereeko picked up the cellular phone on the ground and deliberately smashed it.
Witnesses called for police assistance and were immediately responded to by members of the Pasay City Police Substation 2.
The four suspects, upon seeing the arrival of the Pasay City Police Station 2, locked themselves inside their home. When they were told to surrender, they refused.
The police said that despite their repeated appeal, the suspects continued to refuse to comply, which made De Sesto, together with members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the Tactical Motorcycle and Riding Unit (TMRU) to respond and negotiate with the suspects.
The suspects, after their surrender, were immediately brought to the Pasay City Police custodial facility and were charged with attempted homicide, malicious mischief, and unjust vexation.