THE two suspects who allegedly raped and killed a 13-year old girl in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, last August 10 are set to undergo inquest proceedings on Monday, August 14, at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
As requested by the family, police withheld the victim’s identity as well as the 17-year-old primary suspect and his 19-year-old accomplice who were arrested on the same night.
“Hiling ng pamilya na huwag nang malathala ang pangalan ng biktima at ang mga suspect minor din kasi sa batas sa lalaki ang minor is below 21 years old,” said Naawan town police chief Senior Inspector Jay Francis Estigoy.
Estigoy said witnesses told them there are two more unidentified cohorts now being hunted by the Naawan operatives.
Estigoy said the two will be charged of rape with homicide and will be under custody of the Naawan police since the Naawan social welfare office does not have a custodial facility for minor offenders.
“Ang crime na-commit last August 10 dahil ito ay capital offense pasok ito sa reglamentary period na 36 hours so pwede sa Monday natin ma-file ang kaso,” Estigoy said.
The town police chief said the younger suspect reportedly deceived the victim by asking her to go with them as she was called in by the suspect’s sister who happens to be the victim’s tutor.
Authorities said the suspects, who were under the influence of alcohol, brought the victim to a secluded area surrounded by palm trees at Purok 1, Linangcayan village, where they allegedly raped and killed the girl.
Estigoy said the victim was reported missing by the father early that night, prompting the police to look for the victim around 11:00 p.m.
“Hinati natin ang kapolisan sa dalawang team para hanapin ang biktima at sinamahan natin agad ang tatay doon sa reported na lugar kung saan nakita ang kanyang anak,” Estigoy said.
Estigoy said the medical results of the victim had confirmed that she was raped and choked to death by the suspects.
But, Estigoy said there were indications that the victim may have resisted as scratches were seen on the necks of the suspects.
“Nagtamo ng iba’t-ibang trauma sa ulo ang biktima. Maaaring may hinampas na matigas na bagay pero ang ikinamatay talaga niya ang pagsakal sa kanya ng mga suspek,” Estigoy said.
The police is getting testimonies of the witnesses.
Authorities said the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal drug activities and had previously yielded to the police’s "Oplan Tokhang" (Knock and plead).
The suspects, Estigoy said, were considered as "child in conflict with the law" because of their previous records for arson attempt, molestation and illegal drug complaints.
Authorities will have the suspects undergo drug test.
Estigoy also clarified that there is no delay of request for the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) to process the crime scene and have the victim’s body autopsied.
Estigoy said they called Soco immediately after learning that the victim did not survive at the hospital.
“Direct call po ginawa namin sa Soco it so happened na may prior commitment ang Soco at limited lang din specialist nila,” Estigoy said.
