Suspects in child rape-slay caught

Operatives of the Western Police District (WPD) now have in their custody two men suspected of being behind the rape-slay of a seven-year-old girl in Singalong, Manila last Monday.

Arrested were Ryan Zamora, 23, of 1138 B-Dagonoy street and Bernardo Domingo, 25, of 1157 Zapanta street, both in Singalong, Manila.

Witnesses linked the two to the rape-slay of the victim, Myra Fillomena, whose body was found in a sack dumped at a vacant lot a few meters from the girl’s house last Dec. 1.

The suspects were presented to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday by arresting operatives of the WPD-Special Operations Group (SOG) led by Superintendent Ernesto Ibay.

According to Ibay, Zamora was arrested in Manila while Domingo was collared in his hometown in Gen. Trias, Cavite last Wednesday afternoon.

Zamora denied killing and raping the victim. He said it was Domingo who raped and killed the victim when she returned to the suspect’s house after being sent on an errand. The girl had been missing since Saturday after someone asked her to buy cigarettes from a nearby mini-store.

Zamora claimed he attempted to stop Domingo but the latter allegedly threatened to shoot him if he intervened. Zamora said he had no choice but to keep quiet.

After the crime, Zamora said Domingo also ordered him to buy a sack wherein to stuff the victim’s body.

Atienza, who commended the police for a job well done, said the arrest should serve as warning to other criminals that they would be caught, jailed and prosecuted if they commit crimes.

"The best way to address the problems on the peace and order situation is through efficient and effective police work," the mayor said. "This only proves our assertion that the best deterrent against crime is the certainty of being caught."