Cops probe beauty queen’s murder

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Conde” was created Tuesday  to investigate the killing of a beauty queen studying at Holy Angel University (HAU) in Angeles City last March 2.. 

A manhunt for the lone suspect in the killing of engineering student Danielle Louise Conde, 17, is underway, according to Senior Supt. Jose Hidalgo, Angeles City police officer-in-charge.

At least three witnesses have identified the suspect, SPO3 Juanito Villamil said.

“We are still waiting for another witness to surface, but we are keeping track of the movement of the suspect,” Villamil said.

The body of Conde was found with several stab wounds at Babuli Apartments in Barangay Sto. Cristo at around 5 p.m. where she stayed.

In a statement, HAU said they mourn the death of Conde, who was this year’s Miss Engineering and Architecture and a varsity player in taekwondo.

“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, classmates and teammates and pray for her eternal rest. We assure them that administration officials are monitoring the investigation being conducted by the city’s police force. We pray that the assailant is brought to justice at the soonest possible time,” the HAU said.

Robbie Tantingco, vice president for student affairs of HAU, said Conde, who was the school’s Miss Engineering this year, was also a varsity player in taekwondo.

“She was very pretty, very popular and quite active,” Tantingco said.

He said Conde was reportedly resting when the suspect entered her room through the window.

“The wounds she suffered indicated there was a struggle, but the suspect was able to stab her in the chest and it punctured her lung,” Tantingco said, citing hospital reports.

Villamil said teenagers playing basketball near the apartment told investigators that they saw the suspect flee on a bicycle toward Barangay Lourdes Northeast.

Villamil said witnesses described the suspect as sporting a close-cropped haircut and wearing blue pants and a gray shirt with red stripes.

A manhunt for the suspect is underway.