Monday, October 13, 2003
Rape-slay suspect identified
ONE of the two suspects tagged in the rape-slay of a 15-year-old student of Victorias National High School a month ago in Manapla was already identified.
Police named the suspect as Larry Lachica, alias "Bantam", 23, a laborer, of Kilometer 39, Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, one of those linked to the rape of the victim, whose name is, however, being withheld by Sun.Star.
However, investigators said that they are still looking for another witness to testify to the rape.
The rape of the victim, a resident of Hacienda Cuaycong, Punta Mesa, Manapla, was reported missing by her sister, after the victim failed to return home from school.
Police investigation said that the victim was reported missing around 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Police investigation further showed that at least two unidentified suspects aged 20 years old and above dragged the victim, molested and killed her inside the sugarcane field two kilometers away from her house.
Dr. Noel Martinez, town medico legal officer, said the victim suffered injuries in her mouth.
She was already half-naked when found inside the sugarcane plantation, her skirt and other personal belongings found two meters away from her body.
The arrest of the suspect came after the victim's cousin, Merlinda Arellano, 21, of Hacienda Cuaycong, Barangay Punta Mesa, Manapla filed a complaint that Lachica and Rogelio Esad, alias "Insik", 19, also a laborer attempted to rape her.
Arellano told police she was walking home when the suspects, who were wearing bonnets, dragged her inside the sugarcane plantation and attempted to rape her.
She, however, escaped.
The responding officers of the Manapla police, 6th Regional Mobile Group, and residents in the area helped in arresting the suspects.
(October 13, 2003 issue)
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