Mom of 15-year-old slay victim believes more involved in daughter's death

The mother of Princess Marie Dumantay, the 15-year-old who was found dead in Bulacan, believes more individuals were involved in the killing of her daughter aside from the suspect who has been arrested in Camarines Sur.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras”, Perlita Conde thanked the authorities for the swift arrest of primary suspect Gaspar Maneja Jr.

“Bilang magulang, sa aking pakiramadam, hindi lang ito nag-iisang gumawa sa anak ko alam kong mayroong kasama itong gumawa sa anak ko. Alam mo, konsensya mo ‘yung ginawa mo sa anak ko,” Conde said.

(As a parent, I feel like he is not alone in committing the crime. I know there are other people involved. You know you will bear on your conscience what you did to my daughter.)

Members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) apprehended the suspect in his residence in Pamplona, Camarines Sur.

Recovered from him is a black vehicle that authorities believe he used to drop Princess’ body on the grassy area in Bustos, Bulacan where it was found on August 12.

Maneja allegedly met Princess in a bikers’ group.

“Na-trace natin siya sa area ng Pamplona kung saan doon namin siya nakuha sa bahay nya pero  bago siya umuwi sa bahay, nagtago pa ito sa gubat,” said Police Lt. Col. Mederic Villarete, chief of the CIDG in Camarines Sur.

(We traced him in an area in Pamplona and arrested him in his house. But before he went home, he hid in a forest.)

Maneja vowed to coordinate with the investigation but the police said he earlier admitted to the crime. He also apologized to his family members who were “affected” by the situation.

He is now under the custody of Bustos, Bulacan Police, and is facing charges of rape and murder.

“Siguro po hingi muna ako ng tamang taong maga-ano sakin kung ano po ang tamang gawin. Magulo rin po ang sitwasyon ko ngayon. Pasensya na po. Makikipag-cooperate po ako. Sasabihin ko naman yung tama at totoo po,” he said.

(I will ask the right persons on what to do. My situation is complicated. I am sorry. I will cooperate and tell them what’s right and true.)

PNP CIDG Chief PBGen. Ronald Lee attributed Maneja’s arrest to the coordination between the provincial police of Bulacan and Camarines Sur.

“Yun pong succes ng kaso na ito ay masasabi ko na dahil 'yun sa pakikipagtulungan lahat ng ibang unit ng ating pulisya lalong lalo na 'yung pagbibigay agad ng data o information from the Bulacan Police Provincial Office. Ito ay immediate at timely information na naibigay nila ay naaksyunan agad namin at nahuli agad-agad,” he said.

(The case’s success is due to the cooperation of various police units, especially the turning over data or information from the Bulacan Police Provincial Office. The immediate and timely information led us to take action and arrest the suspect.) —Sundy Mae Locus/NB, GMA News