Suspect in rape-slay of 5-year-old girl arrested in Tondo

An 18-year-old male teenager identified as the suspect in the rape and killing of a five-year-old girl last year was arrested due to illegal drugs in Tondo, Manila.

Issued a warrant of arrest, Serge Mangampo was nabbed by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) operatives on Wednesday night, according to a "24 Oras" report by Marisol Abdurahman on Friday.

Mangampo, then 17 years old, allegedly raped and killed a girl in Naic, Cavite in 2019 then placed the victim inside a plastic bag.

"'Yung last na nakitang kasama ng bata bago siya nawala ay 'yung suspek na naaresto natin. Nu'ng hinanap na siya ng mga kapulisan, tumakbo po 'yan dito sa may Tondo, doon na siya nagtago," NCRPO chief Major General Debold Sinas said.

Mangampo was caught after authorities did a surveillance on him in relation to illegal drugs.

"Kasi itong si Serge, karakter nito pasaway. Palaging nire-report ng mga kapitbahay na nanggugulo at nai-involve sa mga small-time drugs at tsaka user," Sinas added.

The father of the victim was relieved upon learning of the arrest of the suspect.

GMA News sought Mangampo for comment, but he was brought by authorities to Naic for investigation.—Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News