POLICEMEN arrested Tuesday evening, February 26, a man who allegedly raped and tried to kill a nine-year-old girl who was found under a bridge in Cainta, Rizal Monday afternoon.
The Quezon City Police District reported that Pepito Tagal, 39, was nabbed around 11:50 p.m. while sleeping inside a tricycle along Boni Serrano Avenue, Barangay San Roque, Project 4, Quezon City.
Police said Tagal's wife informed them about the suspect's whereabouts upon learning about his involvement in the crime. The wife saw a television report about the crime.
Recovered from Tagal was an ice pick and an improvised Swiss knife. He, however, denied involvement in the crime.
Based on initial background investigation, Tagal spent 13 years at the New Bilibid Prison over robbery. He is also a drug user.
On Monday, February 25, a passerby found the nine-year-old girl, whose hands were tied in her neck, badly bruised and with contusions in the face.
The girl, who survived the incident, said she will be able to identify the suspect by his face.
Tagal will be turned over to the Cainta police within the day. (VoxPop Philippines)