2 suspects in Negros Occidental rape-slay fall

Two suspects in the rape-slay of a nine-year-old girl in Manapla town in Negros Occidental have been arrested in a series of police operations since Wednesday. But Visayan Daily Star reported Thursday Edgardo Casalda, 39, and Jerry Aguirre, 21, denied being behind the rape and murder of the minor last Wenesday. The victim was found dead with injuries on her face, in a rice field in Purok 2, Brgy. Chambery, Manapla. Investigation showed the victim’s underwear had been removed, and bloodstains were noted in her genital area. Police recovered a stone, believed to have been used in hitting the victim, before she was sexually assaulted. They also recovered a lighter at the crime scene. The victim's body was discovered about 70 meters away from a makeshift hut owned by Casalda. Investigation showed a hat owned by Casalda was left at the house of the victim, while a lighter recovered at the scene of the incident was traced to Aguirre. Abrasions were also found on the right hand of Casalda, who was arrested on the same day that the victim was molested and murdered. The two suspects are now detained at the Manapla Police Station jail. — LBG, GMANews.TV