16-year old high school student strangled to death in Rizal. Police eye girlfriend's family as suspects

A 16-year old high school student was strangled to death in Rodriguez, Rizal with police looking for his girlfriend and her family as possible suspects.   

According to Emil Sumangil's report in "24 Oras," victim Ronald John Delgado, a Grade 11 student, left home on October 29. Ronald told his mother he was just going to do a school project with his girlfriend, who was also his classmate.

“Hiniram pa niya ‘yung cellphone ko, tapos sabi niya, saglit lang daw po siya,” said Raquel Delgado, the victim’s mother.

(He even borrowed my cellphone, he said he would not be gone long.)

But Ronald failed to come home that night. His family tried calling him but were informed that the phone was out of coverage area.

The next morning, October 30, the body of Ronald was found on the side of the road along Sitio Calumpit Barangay Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal. His hands were tied.

Based on his death certificate, Ronald died due to strangulation.

“Sobrang sakit, ang sakit-sakit, kasi nag-iisa ko anak na lalaki yan e. Kung namatay lang yan sa sakit, okay lang. Pero ‘yung ginawa, karumaldumal. Sinakal siya, binugbog, pasa-pasa ‘yung mukha,” said Raquel.  

(It hurts so much, it's so painful because he's my only son. I can accept if he died from an illness. But what they did to him was disgusting. He was strangled, beaten, his face was swollen and bruised.)

Ronald's relatives, accompanied by police, went to his girlfriend's house to ask questions.

“During our follow up investigation and operation, pinuntahan namin sa bahay, subalit umalis na po sila sa kanilang tahanan,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Selencio, the Rodriguez chief of police.

(During our follow-up investigation and operation, we went to the house, but there was no one there.)

“Sarado na ang bahay, naka-padlock na, wala na, Tatlong pamilya sila na naka-padlock na, wala na,” Raquel added.

(The house was padlocked. The house where three families lived was locked shut, with no one inside.)

Based on the statements of four witnesses, police said they came up with a possible motive for the crime.

“Ang nakikita po namin motibo [rito] ay ang pamilya [ng suspek] ay gustong paghiwalayin ang anak nila doon sa biktima po,” said Selencio.

(The motive that we see is that the girl’s family was opposed to their relationship and wanted her and the victim to end it.)

“Ang nakikita po motibo dito po sa pagpatay sa ating biktima ay galit. Ito pong biktima ay meron girlfriend, na minor. Base sa salaysay ng mga witnesses, ay nalaman ang kanyang pakikipagrelasyon sa ating biktima,” said Police Captain Marisol Tactaquin, Public Information Office Chief, Rizal Province.

(Anger is the apparent motive behind the victim’s killing. This victim has a girlfriend who is a minor. Based on the witnesses' statements, their relationship was discovered.)

“’Yung babae raw kasi, naka-arrange marriage na, parang edad na lang babae, para ibigay na siya dun sa (lalaking) ipapakasal,” said Ronald’s sister, Rachel.

Supposedly, the girl was in an arranged marriage, and her family was just waiting for her to reach the right age before she was given up to be married [to a man she was promised to].)

Before Ronald’s death, his family said his girlfriend was able to chat with their friends and asked them to fetch Ronald from their house.

“Sabi niya, puntahan niyo dito si Ron, kasi nahuli kami ng kuya ko, sabi niya baka bugbugin,” said Raquel.

([His girlfriend] told their friends to pick up Ron at her place because her older brother caught them together and (Ronald) might get beaten up.)

Police said murder charges are being prepared against several suspects who are allegedly relatives of the victim's girlfriend.

“Sa ngayon sir, meron tayong isang pamilya na sasampahan ng demanda, kung maari, sa ngayon po hindi na muna namin babanggitin ang mga pangalan nila. Kami po’y nananawagan na kung maaari po sana ay sumuko na po kayo sa mga awtoridad, nang sa ganun, mabigyang linaw ang pangyayari, ang pagkamatay ng isang batang biktima,”  said the Rodriguez police chief.

(At present, we have a family facing criminal charges. If it’s alright, we won't mention their names. We are calling on them to surrender to authorities in order for them to shed light on the incident, the death of a young man.)

Ronald's girlfriend, who is also missing, is among those facing charges.

“Dahil siya po ang huling nakasama ng ating biktima, ikinu-consider din siya po,” said PCapt. Tactaquin.

(Since she was last seen with the victim, she is also being considered [to be involved].)

“Kung mahal mo talaga ang kapatid ko please, sabihin mo na yung totoo, hindi naman kami magagalit e, magpakita ka lang gusto lang talaga namin ng hustisya,” Rachel pleaded.

(If you really love my brother, please come out with the truth, we won't be angry. Just show yourself, we just want justice.) —Sherilyn Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News