Authorities on Saturday arrested three suspects in the alleged murder and rape of a 21-year-old transgender man Ebeng Mayor in Quezon City.
In a report by Rod Vega on Super Radyo DZBB, it was stated that based on initial information from the Quezon City Police District, two suspects in the murder of Ebeng Tria, also known as Ebeng Mayor, were arrested before noon.
The two suspects were arrested after Zander dela Cruz was taken into custody after admitting that he and two others raped and killed his childhood friend Ebeng Mayor.
Earlier, a friend of Tria’s told that the suspect joined the search for the victim. The police did not send him home when it became clear that he was one of the last companions of the victim. He later confessed to the crime in front of Ebeng’s father.
Dela Cruz named the other suspects Richard Elvin Araza and Joel Loyola, residents of Barangay Payatas, who were arrested in a follow-up operation. The three are detained at the Quezon City police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) at Camp Karingal.
Childhood friend confessed killing, raping trans man Ebeng Mayor
Dela Cruz told investigators he hit Tria on the head with a stone, knocking Ebeng Mayor unconscious. They then took turns raping him, he confessed.
The police report said the suspects took Tria’s cell phone, wristwatch, and gold necklace before dumping his body in Bagong Silangan.
Ebeng Tria’s body was found in Bagong Silang on Thursday, a few days after he left home.
According to Ebeng’s sister Rachelle Tria, the victim told them that he would drink with friends on Monday because he had a problem with his live-in partner in Pampanga.
The LGBT group Bahaghari condemned the killing of the transgender man.
“We demand a full, immediate investigation, and the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill now!” said Bahaghari.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar vowed justice for Trias’ family.
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