Missing girl raped, murdered

The two-week search for a missing nine-year-old girl ended in anguish for her family after her decomposing body was found yesterday at a grassy area near her home in Barangay Pansol, Quezon City.

The victim was identified as Virginia Valerio, grade three pupil and a resident of KKMK Union Housing located at the MWSS compound in Balara, Quezon City.

Manila Water security manager Ferdinand Mercado found Valerio’s rotting body at about 10 a.m. inside a forested and grassy area of the Balara Filtration Compound in Barangay Pansol.

The victim skull was cracked open and her underwear was rolled down to her feet. PO1 Joel Gagaza said that she was "definitely raped" before being bludgeoned to death with a blunt object.

According to the victim’s father Virgilio, 43, a retired NAWASA employee, Virginia had been missing since the morning of Dec. 14.

"She asked permission to go the tiangge to watch TV so I allowed her to go. It was a very short walk from our house so I did not think anything bad would happen to her," he told The Star in an interview.

"All I want now is justice for my daughter. I can’t believe that someone in their right mind would do such a horrible thing like this," a teary eyed Virgilio said. – Matthew Estabillo