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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Man set on fire in Taguig laid to rest; family seeks police help to arrest suspect

Man set on fire in Taguig laid to rest; family seeks police help to arrest suspect

Published Jul 26, 2025 05:40 pm
James Villaruel's funeral on July 26 at the Aglipay Cemetery in Pateros (Photo, screenshot from Bhabie Garmino's video)
James Villaruel's funeral on July 26 at the Aglipay Cemetery in Pateros (Photo, screenshot from Bhabie Garmino's video)

A 28-year-old man who was set on fire due to jealousy in Taguig was buried on July 26, with the suspect still at large. 

James Garmino Villaruel was laid to rest at the Aglipay Cemetery in Pateros, a week after he died in a hospital on July 20. 

Villaruel suffered third-degree burns when the suspect, Gregorio, 43, who was driven by jealousy, poured gasoline on him and set him on fire at about 10:22 p.m. in Barangay Pitogo, Taguig, last June 20. The suspect fled the scene. 

Villaruel, a maintenance employee, was sitting outside their home with other people when the attack happened. 

According to the police, Gregorio is a machine operator and a resident of Quezon City. 

James Villaruel's funeral on July 26 at the Aglipay Cemetery in Pateros (Screenshots from Bhabie Garmino's video)
James Villaruel's funeral on July 26 at the Aglipay Cemetery in Pateros (Screenshots from Bhabie Garmino's video)
Screenshots from CCTV footage showing Gregorio setting James Villaruel on fire (Screenshots from Bhabie Garmino's video)
Screenshots from CCTV footage showing Gregorio setting James Villaruel on fire (Screenshots from Bhabie Garmino's video)
The wake for James Villaruel (Photo from Bhabie Garmino)
The wake for James Villaruel (Photo from Bhabie Garmino)
James Villaruel being treated for severe burns in a hospital (Photos from Bhabie Garmino's video)
James Villaruel being treated for severe burns in a hospital (Photos from Bhabie Garmino's video)

The victim’s mother, Jean Garmino, is seeking the help of the police to arrest the suspect. 

“Sa anak ko fly high Anak...gabayan mo nalang kmi ng kaptid mo..pra sa mga pulis tulungan po kaming mahuli agad Yong suspect..at pra sa suspect paliit na ng paliit ang mundo mo...magkikita pa tyo di ako ppayag na hinde mabigyan ng katarungan ang anak ko...Sana po laht ng media ipakalat ang mukha Ng suspect pra sa agaran ng  pagkahuli (To my son, fly high, Son...just guide us..to the police, help us catch the suspect immediately..and to the suspect, your world is getting smaller and smaller...we will meet again, I will not allow justice to be denied to my son...I hope all the media will spread the face of the suspect so that he can be caught immediately…),” she told Manila Bulletin.

With Villaruel’s death, the suspect will face murder charges. 

Related story: 

Family seeks justice for man set on fire in Taguig

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