By Jennifer P. Rendon
The remaining suspect in the killing of two brothers in Dingle, Iloilo four years ago has been arrested.
Members of the General Santos police arrested Lourdyn Ralph Jasa afternoon of September 9 at Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat.
Jasa was the boyfriend of the other suspect, Charity.
The couple were accused of killing her employers’ two sons – Skeet Ryan Latosa, 11, and Rich Wesley, 10 – on April 13, 2016.
While Charity was named in the charge sheet, Jasa was just referred to as “John Doe.”
They were charged for double murder in relation to Republic Act 7610 (An Act Providing For Stronger Deterrence And Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation And Discrimination, And For Other Purposes).
Charity was not detained despite her immediate arrest after she claimed to be a minor.
But when her mother arrived from Negros Oriental, she had with her a birth certificate to prove that Charity turned 18 years old three months before the murder happened.
She was later charged and is currently detained at the Iloilo Provincial Jail in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.
Her boyfriend sought refuge in Mindanao until his arrest Wednesday.
The General Santos City police collared him by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder in Criminal Case No. 16-6913 issued by Judge Vicente Go of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 68, Dumangas, Iloilo.
Police Executive Master Sergeant Alejandro Loritizo, Dingle police chief, said Jasa will be detained in Esperanza town until they could arrange to transport him to Iloilo where he would face trial.
THE ATTACK
In several instances that she was questioned, Charity admitted her involvement in killing her two wards. She even mentioned a certain Allan and later a certain Francis who had a hand in attacking the two boys.
She later recanted her statement. But after a while, she would again declare that she had participation in the incident.
The Latosa brothers were found dead inside the servant’s quarters located in front of their house at San Matias village.
Aside from the servant’s quarters, the crime scene also served as a parking area.
They were wrapped in a blanket and covered with a mattress and a folding bed.
Investigation indicated that Charity shouted at the main house to inform the victims’ older sister of blood splattered all over the servant’s room.
The 17-year-old sister and their mother quickly checked and discovered the stab-riddled victims.
The brothers were immediately rushed to the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town but were later declared dead.
Based on the autopsy result, the victims suffered fatal wounds on the head and abdomen.
Autopsy showed that the victims’ heads were fractured while their abdomen, particularly the navel, and side of the body suffered multiple injuries.
The digging steel bar and kitchen knife recovered from the crime scene was compatible to the wounds suffered by the two young victims.
Skeet Ryan suffered scratches on his legs while his younger brother on his right hand.
This could indicate that somebody was holding them up while they were being attacked.
It was reported that Charity got irked after she saw the two boys playing with her mobile phone.
