Cops zero in on love triangle, fraternity in lovers’ slay

Police are eyeing love triangle and fraternity rivalry as the primary motives in the murder of lovers whose bodies were dumped in a ravine in Barangay San Roque, Liloan town.

“Ang motives ay problema sa leadership ng fraternity at love triangle. Bata pa ang babae at may hitsura,” Chief Inspector Randy Korret, Liloan Police Station chief.

The victims were Stephen del Corro, 26, a former call center worker, and Jaime Mata a.k.a. “Mayang,” a 16-yearold Grade 9 student from Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

Mata’s body was first discovered in a ravine in Purok Sandayong at around 9 a.m. on Tuesday while that of del Corro was later found about 30 meters away in Purok Kawasan.

According to police, the victims succumbed to gunshot wounds to the head. Mata was also hit in her body.

“Wala rin kaming nakita na signs na ninakawan sila. Although wala na silang ibang items na dala kagaya ng bag, pero intact yung mga alahas na suot nila. Talagang ang motibo lang ay patayin sila,” Korret said.

Korret said del Corro held a high position in a frat group. It cannot be ascertained whether Mata was also a member of the group.

Stencils of a .45 caliber firearm were recovered from the crime scene.

Korret said they are looking at three persons of interest in the killing of the lovers.

He, however, said investigators are still collating and checking on pieces of evidence.

He said they have at least four witnesses to help in the investigation. Two of them actually heard bursts of gun fire, while one saw an unidentified vehicle leaving the crime scene.

Unfortunately, the area, which is surrounded by trees, has no surveillance cameras.

“Yung witness, hindi nakita na binaril, nakarinig lang ng putok and then may nakitang sasakyan, so yun ang pina-follow-up namin kung anong klaseng sasakyan pero yung area is mountainous at maraming kahoy. Walang CCTV so naghahanap pa kami ng private properties na may CCTV,” he said.

Moreover, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO7) director, said he already directed the chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office to dig deeper into the case.

“This case is very peculiar because dili taga Liloan but gidala sa Liloan kaya we appeal to the public especially those who have information to come forward and help the investigation,” Sinas said.

Meanwhile, a 30-yearold man was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in Sitio Lawas, Barangay Tanke, Talisay City Wednesday.

Ernesto Reponte was walking on his way home when the suspects shot him.

He succumbed to a gunshot wound to his upper right chest.

Authorities are still conducting an investigation to identify the suspects and to determine their motives.

—Mae Clydyl L. Avila with USJ-R Intern Irene L. Gardose/KBQ