The suspect who allegedly mauled and raped a Grade 3 student who was found under a bridge in Cainta, Rizal was arrested last night in Cubao, Quezon City.
Senior Supt. Lou Frias Evangelista, chief of Rizal Provincial Police Office, identified the suspect as Pepito Tagal, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
Tagal was arrested after police received a tip on his whereabouts, Supt. Giovanni Hycenth Caliao, commander of Cubao Police Station said, the Inquirer report added. The suspect was brought to the Cainta police at midnight.
Prior to his arrest, Tagal’s family was cooperating with the police to find him, GMA News’ Balitambayan reported.
An ice pick and an improvised Swiff knife were recovered from the suspect, GMA News reported. Authorities also alleged that Tagal is a drug addict, GMA News reported.
Tagal was detained in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for 13 years because of robbery charges and was only released in 2016, his wife shared.
The suspect denied that he abused the Grade 3 student. “I don’t know anything about the rape. That isn’t true,” he was quoted saying in Filipino by GMA News. Tagal also said he was friends with the girl’s parents.
The victim was found tied up and bruised by a passerby named Jose Abarera, 30, under the Ortigas Extension bridge in Cainta on Monday, the Philippine Star reported. Abrera and community volunteers rushed her to the One Cainta Municipal Hospital.
A witness reportedly saw Tagal abduct the girl on Monday at about 9am in Block 42, Sitio Batasin, in the neighboring town of Taytay, investigators said.
Dr. Shimora Eireen Pasela said the victim was vomiting blood, a symptom of a brain injury. The victim also reportedly confirmed that she had been strangled and raped, GMA News reported.
The victim is still recovering in the hospital, PO1 Eres Mas from the Cainta Municipal Police Station told Coconuts Manila over the phone.
