Suspect in the killing of Charice's dad surrenders

source: gmanews.tv

After hiding for more than two days, the suspect in the killing of the father of Filipino international singing sensation Charice Pempengco surrendered Thursday to authorities.

Mayor Luis Ferrer IV of General Trias, Cavite said Angel Capili Jr. is now on his way to Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

"Kusa siyang sumuko sa barangay at ang barangay tinurn-over sa amin (He voluntarily surrendered to the local village and the village in turn turned him over to me)," Ferrer said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Capili has been wanted for the fatal stabbing of Ricky Pempengco, 43, in San Pedro in Laguna before midnight Monday.

Ferrer said Capili only asked that his and his family's safety be guaranteed.

"Nakikiusap sila ang kaligtasan niya at ng kanyang pamilya. Sa amin siya sumuko para magarantiyahan ang safety niya (He asked that his and his family's safety be guaranteed. He surrendered to me to ensure his safety)," he said.

Ferrer declined to say who would get the P200,000 reward offered for any information that would lead to the suspect's arrest.

Self-defense

Ferrer said Capili told him he did not know Pempengco personally, and that he acted out of self-defense. He said Capili claimed Pempengco punched him and he merely defended himself.

"Saka niya nalaman na tatay ni Charice sa news sa TV (Capili only realized the man he killed was Charice's father when he watched the TV news)," he said. "Nabigla, di niya alam ang gagawin (He claimed he was confused and did not know what to do)."

Manhunt

Before his surrender, Capili, a construction worker, was the subject of a manhunt after witnesses saw him fatally stab Mr. Pempengco before midnight Monday in San Pedro, Laguna.

Earlier, Capili sent surrender feelers to authorities after a P200,000 reward was put out for information leading to his arrest.

But Laguna police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said Capili issued a "condition" that he will not be harmed and that the investigation will be fair.

"Ang condition niya huwag siya masasaktan at maging maayos ang imbestigasyon na gagawin (His only condition was that he not be hurt, and that the investigation be fair)," Cruz said in an interview aired early Thursday on dzBB radio.

Mr. Pempengco's death prompted Charice, who was scheduled to take part in a concert abroad, to rush home to the Philippines.

The singer appealed for justice, even as police said they may file charges against Capili's kin for trying to hide him from authorities.

source: gmanews.tv