Two suspects arrested in rape-slay of 11-year-old student in Cavite

Police arrested two suspects behind the rape and death of an 11-year-old student in General Trias, Cavite on Thursday.

According to Oscar Oida’s report in 24 Oras, the two men were apprehended by the General Trias Police in just less than 48 hours since the body of the young girl was found in a grassy lot inside a school.

Police first arrested a certain “Alias Rico”, 22, a neighbor of the victim. He then pointed to another accomplice, 35-year old construction worker identified as “Alias Lito.”

The two men were arrested after police received a tip from a witness.

“Nakita po niya yung bata ng alanganing oras tapos tinanong niya bakit nandun pa…Sumagot naman yung bata, yung biktima natin na “Inutusan po ako ni ‘Alyas ****’ bumili ng sigarilyo’,” said General Trias Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Naparato Jr., recalling the testimony of the witness.

(He saw the girl and asked her why she was still outside late at night…The girl replied, “‘Alias ****’ asked me to buy a cigarette.’”)

But what made the police suspicious was that “Alias Rico” was never seen at his house again and did not report to work after the incident, said Naparato.

“Alias Rico” said he and “Alias Lito” were drinking when they found the girl playing nearby so they asked her to buy a cigarette.

The suspect admitted to the murder but he denied raping the victim.

“Dinala na po namin yung babae doon sa damuhan yun po, sinakal ko po, inamin ko po na sinakal ko yung batang babae. Pero di ko po ginagahasa,  wala pong nangyaring gahasa,” said “Alias Rico.”

(We brought the girl to the vacant lot, I admit to strangling her. But I did not rape her, that never happened.)

When asked on why they committed the crime, “Alias Rico” said: “Wala, parang ano lang po…kasi lasing na rin po kami.”

(We just felt like doing it…because we are drunk at that time.)

However, “Alias Lito” denied being involved in the crime.

“Wala po talaga kasi ‘di ko po nakita yung bata,  ‘di ko rin naman siya nakita, ‘di naman kami magkasama… Bakit ganoon tinuturo niya ako, eh ang hinatid ko noong nag inuman kami e hindi naman siya kasi ‘di naman kami magkasama,” he said.

(I have never seen the girl…We were not together when that happened. I don’t know why he is pointing to me. After we drank together, I went home with another person.)

Based on initial investigation, the victim was raped and died of asphyxia due to strangulation.

The victim’s parents are seeking justice for their child.

“‘Di ko maisip kung anong meron sa kanila at ginawa nila yun kasi bata pa yun. Kaya kung ano man, ‘di ako papayag na ‘di sila talaga magbabayad ng ginawa nila,” said Reynaldo Moreño, the victim’s father.

(I still can’t believe why they did that to her even though she was just a child. I will make sure they will pay for what they did.)

“Gusto ko ng hustisya, gusto ko iparanas  sa kanya yung pinaranas niya sa anak ko, yun ang gusto ko mangyari sa kanila. Gusto ko pong ibalik yung death penalty sa kanila,” the mother, Melissa Moreño, said.

(I want justice, I want them to experience what they did to my daughter. I want the death penalty for them.)

Meanwhile, “Alias Rico” is seeking forgiveness from the family.

“Sana po ay kung mapapatawad po nila kami ‘tsaka nanghihingi rin po kami ng pasensya, ‘di ko rin po alam kung bakit ko po nagawa sa anak niya po ‘yun,” he said.

(I hope they can still forgive us and we are very sorry for what happened. I’m not sure why I did that to their child.)

The suspects have undergone inquest proceedings for the charges of rape with homicide.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News