PARRICIDE charges are being prepared against the husband of Pearl Helene Sta. Ana, who was killed along with their one-year-old son, Denzel, in their residence in Sta. Rosa Laguna on March 2.
Sta. Rosa Police Chief Reynaldo Maclang said Richard Sta. Ana will be charged with two counts of parricide after one of the suspects, Ramoncito Galo, who earlier surrendered to authorities, tagged him as the mastermind in the killing.
Pearl and Denzel were hammered to death by the suspects who introduced themselves as Internet repairmen.
Denzel died hours after they were rushed in the hospital, while Pearl died days later.
Maclang said based on Galo’s statement, Richard tried to hire his friend “Totoy” to eliminate his own wife and son and offered him P60,000. Totoy surrendered along with Galo on Friday.
Totoy refused to accept the job and instead referred Richard and another accomplice, paying them P30,000 each.
Galo said it was also Richard who picked the date on when to do the killings, which was done on March 2, the couple’s third wedding anniversary.
Galo said Richard, who ordered the killing of Pearl and Denzel because of jealousy, wanted them to make it appear as if a robbery happened inside the house.
Earlier, the Sta. Rosa police considered Richard as person of interest in the crime after finding out that the transactions done by Globe Telecoms, particularly the job order number that was used by the suspects to pose themselves as Internet repairmen to be able to enter the victims’ house, was given by the company only to him.
Maclang said Richard is yet to defend himself, as he went missing and allegedly went into hiding. His cellphones were out of reach since the funeral of his wife and son.
Meanwhile, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta, who holds Richard’s case, came in to defense and said they have been interrogating him since one of the suspects surrendered and tagged him as the architect of the crime.
“Wala kaming nakikitang katotohanan sa sinasabi ng mga suspect na yan. Hindi kami naniniwala na ‘yung ang asawa ang gagawa nyan. Hindi dapat basta-basta pinaniniwalaan ang isang suspect dahil ang tendency nyan sa psychology of witness ay magturo para malinis ang kanilang liability,” she said.
Acosta urged the police to conduct an in-depth investigation on the suspect’s claim and to not to easily jump into conclusion or easily believe his words against Richard, as it may be a cover-up that may mis-lead the investigation.
She also said that Richard is not hiding and that he submitted all the evidences that may be essential for the investigation, such his cellphone, while Pearl’s phone was allegedly with the suspects.
Acosta said Richard is also denying that his wife is cheating on him, the alleged reason he wanted her dead.
Richard and Pearl were reportedly together as boyfriend-girlfriend since high school. They were married in 2013 and had their son in 2014. (Sunnex)