Man accused of murdering his two brothers in San Mateo, Rizal
A 21 year-old man is accused of stabbing to death his two younger brothers inside their house in San Mateo, Rizal Sunday morning.
The victims were Mark Lester Raviz and Ryan Joseph Raviz, both 19 years old. Mark Lester is an incoming 4th year Electronics and Communication student at the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP)-Quezon City while his twin just graduated from ABE International Business College-Cubao.
Speaking to GMA News’ Jay Sabale, their elder brother EJ Raviz claimed that he was sleeping when the his two brothers were killed and that he only discovered their lifeless bodies when he woke up. He suggested that the murders may have been perpetrated by thieves.
Local police officials however swiftly deflated his credibility. For one, they noted that there were no signs of forced entry into the Raviz residence. They also pointed out that no valuable item is missing in their house.
More importantly, Supt. Ruben Piquero, San Mateo police chief, revealed that the elder Raviz had in fact admitted his responsibility for the crime during the initial interrogation. He added that he was even able to tell the policemen the location of the knife used for the murders.
According to Piquero, Raviz was driven to commit the crime because he is jealous of the attention their parents are giving to the academically-achieving twins.
Piquero noted that Raviz may have consumed methamphetamine hydrochloride (colloquially known as “shabu”) when he committed the crimes. That assumption will have to be verified by subsequent drug tests. Also, his spontaneous admission of guilt carries no weight unless he repeats it in the presence of a legal counsel as required by Republic Act 7438.
Mark Raviz was active in campus activities in TIP QC. Last school year, he served as the treasurer of his home department’s student council. Joevil Razon, the council’s outgoing president, remembers him not just as a responsible colleague but as a true friend. “Lagi niyang sinasabi sakin lalo na kapag may problem sa academics or school works: ‘Kaya yan, friend. Basta tulong-tulong, kaya yan,‘” Razon said.
Raviz’ parents are expected to arrive from Abra, where they are living, late Sunday night. If charged and found guilty of fratricide (the killing of one’s brother), EJ Raviz faces the possibility of lifetime imprisonment or reclusion perpetua since death penalty has already been repealed in the Philippines.
(Personal: I taught in TIP QC for two years and I knew Mark Lester as an officer of the Humanities and Social Sciences Society, which is under our department. Together with his fellow officers, we got to work closely for various activities last year including the foundation anniversary cultural show and the documentary film fest. Since then, he’ll readily smile whenever we bump into each other in the campus when I was still there.
May you rest in peace, Mark Lester. Thanks for the memories. Here’s hoping for JUSTICE to be served.)
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Oh my gahd, I think I know his elder brother, EJ way back First Year High School. Not to judge, but he had the same attitude back then. We also accused him of stealing something from one of our classmates. Grabe, this is terrible! :'( Rest in Peace for the Twins, Mark Lester and Ryan Joseph. Justice!!!!
Putang ina mo MADRONA bobo ka fuck you sagad.. mamatay ka nang hinayupak kang prof kang GAGO kang ulol kang bakla ka! Tarantado ka pakantot ka na lang TSUPA ka ng TSUPA sa mga estudyante mo.. UP grad panay tsUPa inaatupag mong gago ka.. alam ko mga sikreto mo gago!