• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and killed by a farmer after the victim’s body was found lifeless on Tuesday, September 30, in the middle of a sugarcane plantation located at Sitio Pinasagan, Brgy. Linantuyan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Police said that a citizen reported the discovery of the body to the authorities, and upon arrival of the responding personnel, it was confirmed by the police that the victim was found unclothed, without undergarments, and bearing multiple stab wounds, lying inside the sugarcane field.
Initial investigation by the Guihulngan Component City Police Station indicated that the crime occurred at around 8:30 a.m. of the same day the victim was discovered, where the farmer allegedly sexually harassed the girl and stabbed her multiple times after.
After the discovery of the victim, authorities carried out a follow-up operation, where several witnesses positively identified the perpetrator.
Acting swiftly, a hot pursuit operation was launched that led to the arrest of the suspect, identified by the alias “Wil”, 33-years-old, male, single, a farmer, and a resident of the area where the crime was committed.
Upon apprehension, the police recovered from his possession a kitchen knife believed to be used in the crime, and other evidence which was allegedly linked to the crime.
The suspect was now under the custody of the Guihulngan CPS for proper disposition, while the cadaver of the victim will undergo post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
After the heinous crime reached the attention of the police leaders, Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay expressed his condemnation, vowing to the bereaved family that the full force of the law will be applied to hold the perpetrator accountable.
“We share the grief of the victim’s family and stand with the community in demanding justice. PRO NIR is committed to exhausting all means to bring the suspect to justice and ensure that such atrocities have no place in Negros Island,” he added.
Furthermore, the police reaffirmed that the protection of children and vulnerable sectors remains a top priority in PRO NIR’s campaign to maintain peace, order, and safety in the region.*
