TRAGIC END. Funeral attendants take the shrouded body of Girlie Chavit out of her home in Timog Park Homes, Angeles City on Tuesday. Photo by Ric Gonzales
DISTRESS. Relatives of the victims become hysterical after learning about the crime allegedly perpetrated by the ex-husband of the city hall worker. Photo by Ric Gonzales
ANGELES CITY – A columnist of a weekly local newspaper was tagged as suspect in the murder of a city hall employee and her alleged live-in partner early morning Tuesday (April 17), police investigators said.
Chief Insp. Onnil Dela Peña, police station 2 commander, identified the suspect as Venerando “Bernie” S. Chavit, who writes his “Sapok at Himas” column with the Angeles City-based Central Luzon Times.
He was tagged as the alleged killer of his wife Girlie David-Chavit of the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Acadac), 42, and Ernesto Del Rosario Briones, alyas “Takusa” who worked at the San Nicolos Public Market.
They were found dead with gunshot wounds at Girlie’s house at Alabama St., Timog Park Homes, Barangay Pampang.
Dela Peña said the five-year-old son of the Chavits had told police investigators that his father Bernie shot Briones while he was sleeping with Girlie at their room on the second floor of the house. Then Bernie argued with Girlie before shooting her with a .9mm pistol.
Bernie, who earlier ran but lost as Angeles City councilor, remained at large as of press time.
Relatives of Girlie said the Acadac employee had fought and struggled with Bernie before being shot. The victim was also a known contractor here and in Mabalacat town.
Danny David, who was first to see the bodies of his niece Girlie and Ernesto at about 7:00 a.m., said the victims were both shot on the head.
“Many thought they were slashed in the neck because blood was oozing all over their throat. But it was the wounds on the head that caused it,” said David in the dialect. He added that Bernie and Girlie were already separated for more than two years.
Police said Bernie had left Girlie’s house using a red-colored Suave motorcycle owned by his wife. He reportedly arrived at about 5:20 a.m. at Timog Park Homes on board a tricycle which left after taking him at Alabama St.
Franz Celine, household helper of Girlie, said she saw Bernie checking the refrigerator at about 6:00 a.m., a police report said. It added that the suspect allegedly carted away money of his ex-wife.
Reynaldo David, father of Girlie, said his wife Lucina was hysterical and could not bear while waiting for Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) who were inside the room where the murder happened. The SOCO brought out the bodies after five hours of investigation.
“I hope the suspect face the consequences,” said Reynaldo who was in front of his daughter’s house during the interview.
