The 20-year-old suspect in the death of an 11-year-old girl in Zamboanga del Norte has reportedly admitted to killing the girl but denied raping her, police said.
According to Capt. Larry Tumanda, chief of the Manukan Municipal Police Station, the suspect disclosed that he was with a companion during the commission of the crime.
“Gi-inquest nato ni. Boluntaryo siyang mi-admit sa krimen, nga iyang gihimo ang pagpatay. Wala kuno niya hilabti. According (niya), naa siya’y kauban sa paghimo sa krimen. Magpaabot ta sa desisyon sa korte kung magpagawas ba siya’g warrant of arrest regarding sa participation adtong gi-confess sa suspect,” Tumanda said.
The suspect was made to undergo inquest proceedings and is facing charges for homicide and statutory rape.
He is a relative of the victim.
He surrendered on April 19, 2024, the same day the victim was found lifeless at a grassy area in Barangay Pangandao in Manukan town three days after she went missing. Her body was already in a state of decomposition.
Police said the girl was raped first before she was killed by strangulation.
“Bungtod ang area nga gilabayan sa bata. Based sa investigation, gituok ang bata, mao’y findings ngano namatay. Baho na kaayo ang biktima,” Tumanda said.
The victim was reported missing on April 16. 2024. She was left at home when her grandmother went to the town proper but she was already gone when her grandmother returned home.
