3 ‘rugby boys’ arrested for Las Piñas rape-slay

Three suspects in the rape-slay of a six-year-old girl in Las Piñas City have been arrested, police said yesterday. Charges of rape with homicide were filed against Ronald Dacrame, 26, Jeffrey Quilatan, 21, and Erick Garin, 29, all residents of Pulang Lupa 2, Las Piñas City.

On the night of Dec. 30, the suspects, who were high on solvent, spotted the victim walking alone and grabbed her. She was taken to a demolished house on Naga Road, where the assault took place.

The victim’s parents went to the police when the girl failed to come home.

Officers found the body the following day.

The girl, with her private parts exposed, had 12 stab wounds on her body when found on top of the kitchen sink.

Police later received information that three men playing billiards in Barangay Zapote in Las Piñas City had been overheard talking about the crime.

After coordinating with witnesses, officers arrested the suspects.

Metro Manila police chief Director Vidal Querol, who presented the trio to mediamen yesterday, commended the Las Piñas police for the arrest.

The suspects admitted they had just sniffed rugby when they assaulted the girl.

Quilatan allegedly raped the girl while Garin held the girl’s feet. Dacarme admitted stabbing her.

"Naka-rugby po kami noon kaya nang sinabihin nilang saksakin ko, sinaksak ko po," Dacrame said.

The 36-year-old mother of the victim said she wants the death penalty for her daughter’s killers.

"Dapat bitayin ang mga yan, parang mga hayop sila," she said.

The mother said their other children, all below 10 years old, have been traumatized by the death of their sister.

"Ayaw na nilang lumabas ng kuwarto at palagi silang umiiyak," she said.