Aika Mojica slay suspect pleads not guilty

The primary suspect in the killing in July 2015 of Aika Mojica, the young woman found shot and strangled to death in Zambales, pleaded not guilty on Thursday before the Regional Trial Court Branch 71 in Iba, Zambales, Unang Balita reported Friday.

Suspect Jonathan Viane allegedly killed 23-year-old Mojica for telling his ex-wife of the whereabouts of their son whom he brought to the Philippines from the United States, the report said.

Aika’s burned body was found in a ditch in San Felipe town on July 25. 

Authorities also discovered gunshot wounds on her body and marks on her neck believed to be from strangling.

Viane had been extradited from the US after his arrest in September 2015 by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities have also detained one Niño dela Cruz, who earlier confessed that he was an accomplice in the crime.

He is now detained at the provincial jail of Iba, Zambales.

RTC Branch 71 Judge Consuelo Amog-Bocar instructed authorities to detain Viane at the Iba Provincial Jail.

The next hearing for the case was set for August 1, 2016, the report said. —Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/LBG/KG, GMA News