The family of slain Romeo Becaldo who was allegedly stabbed to death by his daughter’s live-in-partner in Tagbilaran City believes that the suspect planned the crime contrary to the latter’s previous claim.
Grace (not her real name), a member of the Becaldo family, told dyRD Balita that suspect Ramilito Mendez had ample time before surrendering to police to make the crime scene appear that both men figured in a fight.
Mendez, 39, had previously told police that he killed the 52-year-old victim as self-defense noting that Becaldo tried to stab him first but he was able to dodge the knife attack.
However, Grace who was in disbelief that her relative would try to stab anyone said that Becaldo had confronted the suspect about his alleged drug use.
This may have angered Mendez driving him to commit the crime, she said.
“Ramil [Mendez] should be subjected to a drug test,” Grace added in Cebuano.
Grace who was not at the crime scene during the incident also believes that a neighbor may have witnessed the incident.
“It’s likely that only the victim and the suspect knew what happened but maybe a neighbor may have also seen the incident but is afraid to come forward,” she said. “People in Taloto are afraid of Ramil.”
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Meanwhile, Mendez has been taken into police custody as he surrendered to police after killing Becaldo.
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He had admitted to stabbing the victim but said that he acted in self-defense.
Investigation of the incident is still ongoing while earlier, Scene of the Crime Operatives found three knives near the body of Becaldo and one of which was believed to have been the murder weapon. (A. Doydora)