Girlfriend’s kin charged in teen’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Seven persons have been charged with murder in connection with the killing of a 16-year-old boy, whose body was found by the roadside in Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Philippine National Police public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said initial investigation showed that the family members of the girlfriend of the victim were involved in the killing.

When asked about the arrest of the suspects, Fajardo said police found their house padlocked.

Fajardo said the landlady of the suspects told police that she saw the victim alive and when the relatives of his girlfriend hurriedly left their residence.

The Rizal police said the family members of the girlfriend of the victim were opposed to the relationship of the two because the girl had been arranged for marriage with someone else.

The victim reportedly told his mother he would meet with his girlfriend on Oct. 29, but failed to return home.

His death certificate showed that he died from strangulation.