The suspect in the stabbing death of the father of singer Charice Pempengco of the hit TV show “Glee” surrendered Thursday and admitted responsibility for the crime. A 35-year-old construction worker tagged as the suspect in the killing of the father of international singing sensation Charice surrendered yesterday afternoon to the mayor of General Trias in Cavite. The man who was identified as Angel Capili Jr. said that he was willing to face the consequences of his crime.
Police said a drunken man stabbed Charice’s estranged 40-year-old father, construction worker Ricky Pempengco, with an ice pick at the chest and back Monday after buying cigarettes at a store. Police Chief Gilbert Cruz said Capili is also a construction worker but did not know Pempengco. Teen songstress Charice canceled upcoming concerts and called for justice for her father. She plays a recurring role on “Glee” as exchange student Sunshine Corazon.
Capili told reporters in Manila he was conscience-stricken and ready to face the consequences. According to him, he had really planned to surrender because what he did was wrong. He said he is seeking forgiveness from the family left behind by Mr. Pempengco. He also claimed that he is prepared to suffer whatever is the judgement. However, he did not respond when reporters asked why he stabbed the victim.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who spoke with Capili, said the suspect said he was assaulted by Pempengco. He claimed that it was self-defense because he was punched in the face by Pempengco. He was claiming that he was already backing away but then the victim continued to attack him so he got screwdriver and he stabbed Mr. Pempengco. He added that they would compare the account of witnesses with the account of the suspect. Cruz said the murder of Pempengco could now be considered solved after Capili’s surrender and confession. Robredo said the cooperation of the victim’s family, officials of the local government, and the police resulted in the positive outcome of the case.
Charice told a news conference Thursday that she could not forgive Capili because he didn’t appear to be truly sorry for what happened. The singer said that he should not defend himself since he cannot bring back her dad. Charice flew back to the Philippines and paid respects to her father early Wednesday. She also apologized for canceling the rest of her tour dates, saying her family comes first. She had been scheduled to perform in Singapore. She said on a radio interview that whoever did that must be brought to justice. Justice must be served, not just for her father but also for everyone concerned.
Charice said she still loved her father, even though he left when she was 3 years old. She wrote on her Twitter page saying that he is still her father after all. The 19-year-old songstress, born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, is known throughout Asia from concerts and TV talent shows in the Philippines and South Korea.