Federico slay case suspect denies raps

The parents of rape-slay victim Roselyn Federico had a face-to-face confrontation yesterday with the sixth and last suspect in the celebrated crime at the Eastern Police District (EPD) headquarters in Pasig City.

Francisco Federico and his wife, stared hesitantly at the suspect, Melvin Magbanua, as they asked him questions regarding the brutal rape-slaying of their daughter in Barangay Parang, Marikina City last July 1993.

Mr. Federico openly thanked EPD director Simeon Dizon Jr. for showing interest in solving the case, despite the lack of interest shown by other law enforcement agencies.

However, Dizon claimed they are still unearthing the true identity of Magbanua. "We are still in the process of verifying whether he was among the rape-slay suspects. Though he gave inconsistent statements, we are not ruling out the fact that he’s not involved in the crime," said Dizon.

Magbanua, 27, was arrested by Dizon’s men in Barangay Mayha, Udiongan, Romblon last Saturday. He denied being involved in Federico’s rape-slay.

Dizon said they are coordinating with the Marikina City police in search of the witness who described Magbanua to the police artist who did the suspect’s cartographic sketch. – Non Alquitran