Rape-slay suspect nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The suspect behind the rape-slay of a 10-year-old girl in Murcia, Negros Occidental last year was arrested by police last week for an illegal drugs offense.

Mayor Gerry Rojas presented Edgie Gonzaga, 21, of Barangay San Miguel, to journalists at the municipal hall yesterday.

Also present was Police Major Robert Dejucos, Murcia police chief.

Rojas said they confirmed Gonzaga’s involvement in the crime after his DNA matched with the specimen found from the child’s remains.

“Although it took us seven months to solve the case, we established that he was the suspect of the heinous crime through the scientific process,” he added.

On October 30, 2019, a Grade 5 pupil was found dead in a sugarcane field at Barangay San Miguel. She suffered broken bones and head injuries.

Rojas met with the victim’s family during her wake and extended assistance to them.

Meanwhile, Dejucos said that Gonzaga was recently arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 at the said village on May 26, 2020.

Dejucos said that they received the DNA results from Camp Crame last Sunday.

“We will be filing rape with homicide case against Gonzaga,” he added.

He said that Gonzaga, along with four others, including his father, were subjected to DNA examination as they were initially considered as persons of interest in the crime.

But only Gonzaga’s DNA matched with the specimen found on the child.

Gonzaga, who was the child’s neighbor, denied the allegations against him.

Rojas commended the efforts of the town police in solving the case.

“Justice has been served,” he said.

Although the primary suspect in the rape slay case was already in police custody, Rojas said that the police should still continue to investigate to determine if he had other companions who participated in the crime.