One of Cebu’s most sought-after floral arrangers knifed to death in Day-as shop

There were no flowers adorning the bier of one of Cebu’s most sought-after florists, Daniel “Jun” Cañete.

The bare chapel inside the St Francis Memorial Homes where his body was taken for the wake last night pale in comparison to the craft where he made a name for himself.

Cañete was found dead early yesterday morning inside his flower shop in an apartment along Sikatuna St. in barangay Day-as.

His employees found him lying on a pool of his own blood. Homicide investigators said his body bore at least 10 stab wounds and was disemboweled by his assailant.

Senior Supt. Noli Romana, the chief of police of Cebu City, said he had “defense wounds” in the arms, indicating that the 44-year-old florist tried to parry the knife attack.

Police said Cañete had been dead for about three to four hours by the time the crime was discovered when his assistant, Ivy Medalla, reported for work at around 7:30 a.m.

Police said robbery was the motive of the crime as at least P250,000 in cash, three mobile phones, a tablet and a laptop computer and an iPod player were missing.

The cash which was kept in a locked drawer was forced open, said SPO4 Jaime Toring, team leader of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office.

One of the victim’s employees said they had three clients over the weekend and they made full payments for Cañete’s services. Since banks are closed on Sundays, Cañete would keep his collection in a drawer and deposits the amount to his account the next day.

There were no traces of forcible entry indicating that the assailant is known to the victim, police said.
Cañete, who hails from Pagadian City, left behind two adult sons. Family members said he had long separated from his wife.

Police are questioning a male teenager who reportedly had a previous relationship with the victim. The 16-year-old boy rushed to the shop upon learning about the killing.

A former shop employee known only as “Negro” is also being eyed as a possible suspect, police added.
According to Giovanni Canares, a shop employee, it was about two weeks ago when his boss allegedly confided to him that “Negro” was his new boyfriend.

He added that he last saw “Negro” going out to deliver flowers to a hotel in Mandaue City.

An employee, told the police that their boss had a male visitor by the time he left at 6 p.m. Sunday. A street sweeper also claimed to have seen a man loitering within the vicinity of the shop at 3 a.m.

According to Medalla, the shop’s front door was already unlocked when she arrived to report for work.

“Pag-abot nako diri ganinang buntag, nahibong ko kay nagsige kog tuktok, ako siyang gitawag ‘Manong! Manong!’ Makatulo nako misampit niya ug mituktok pero wala gihapon ko ablihi,” she said.

(I was suspicious when he did not answer the door when I arrived this morning. I thrice called him ‘Sir! Sir!’ and repeatedly knocked on the door.)

Medalla then decided to open door and found his boss sprawled on the floor. She said she immediately went out of the shop to ask for help. At the time, another shop staffer arrived. They both called the police.

The victim’s son, Stephen, told Cebu Daily News they strongly believe that there is more than one perpetrator of the killing.

He said neighbors overhead people arguing inside the shop at around 3 a.m. and a taxicab was waiting outside.

Police said they also found bloodstains on the door, on the walls of the toilet and on the table.

Stephen said he and his brother John Vincent dont know anything about their father’s romantic liaisons. He said they live in Cogon Ramos while their father opted to stay in the shop./with reports from Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Chito Aragon and Carinne M. Asutilla

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TAGS: florist, flowers, Murder