KORONADAL CITY: Police shot dead the principal suspect in the rape-slay of a 10-year-old pupil in Tupi, South Cotabato, after he tried to grab an officer’s firearm on Sunday afternoon.
In a report on Monday, Lt. Richard Ho, chief of Tupi municipal police station, said the suspect identified only as ‘Ronald’ was undergoing booking procedures when the gun-grabbing incident happened.
‘While they were both wrestling for possession of the pistol, other police officers responded and shot Ronald,’ Ho said in a radio interview Monday.
The suspect was taken to the hospital but eventually died.
Ronald was tagged by witnesses as the one who forcibly took the girl while she was walking home from school on the afternoon of May 10.
A day later, the remains of the girl were found in Sitio Lemblisong. Police found indications the girl was raped.
South Cotabato Schools Division Superintendent Leonardo Balala had condemned the attack and assured school management is collaborating with the police and local officials to im
plement measures to ensure the safety of learners.
Teachers and parents of the public school have expressed outrage, since the suspect is a neighbor known to the child’s parents.
Source: Philippines News Agency
