MANILA, Philippines — Jealousy led a live-in couple to kill and burn a man in Guiguinto, Bulacan after he allegedly had an affair with the woman involved in planning his murder, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
According to the PNP, the Guiguinto Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report of a burning red Mitsubishi Mirage along Purok 2, Barangay Daungan, Guiguinto.
The incident was immediately reported to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). After firefighters extinguished the blaze, responders discovered the body of a man inside the vehicle's trunk with his hands restrained by handcuffs.
The victim was identified as Peter Jhon Bartolome y Diego, alias "Pitts," 29, a married resident of Pulilan, Bulacan.
Within 12 hours, investigators identified four suspects—two alleged masterminds and two accomplices. The two accomplices were arrested, while the alleged masterminds, a live-in couple, remain at large. Police declared the case "solved" after identifying all four suspects.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators recovered key pieces of evidence related to the crime, including evidence from before and after the killing. Appropriate charges will be filed, while the arrested suspects are scheduled for inquest proceedings on Friday.
Crime of passion
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incident is a “crime of passion.”
According to PBGen. Jess Mendez, Police Regional Office 3 chief, the initial intention of the suspect couple was only to extort money from the victim but his live-in partner and the victim later on developed a romantic affair which led the primary suspect to plan the killing.
“At first the intention is huthutan ng pera, then nagka developan, alam ito nung ka-live in pero siguro nakikita niya na nagkakamabutihan, yun ang ginagawa niya. Yes pinagplanuhan nila,” Mendez told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Apparently, it was the woman's live-in partner who planned the killing.
“‘Yung lalaki kasi ang nagplano niyan napilitan na lang itong babae,” Mendez said.
According to the investigation, the victim was lured to meet the female suspect in Brgy. San Francisco, Bulacan, Bulacan
“Initial findings indicate that the victim was subsequently assaulted before being placed inside the trunk in his vehicle later found burning in Guiguinto, Bulacan,” Narratez said.
Extensive recovery of CCTVs located the whereabouts of the suspects and their getaway vehicle.