Rape-slay suspect nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Scratch marks on the face and body and bloodstained briefs, resulted in the arrest of a suspect in the rape-slay of an 11-year-old girl yesterday in North Caloocan City.

Senior Inspector Ronald Perilla, Caloocan police Substation 5 commander, arrested Gerry Azarcon, 25, a factory worker and resident of Dalanghita Street, Vicente Ferrer, Barangay 178, Camarin.

Police officers roused Azarcon who was sleeping inside his house. The suspect was still wearing the bloodstained briefs that gave him away.

Azarcon initially denied any involvement in the rape-slay of the young girl.

The suspect, however, could not explain to the police how he got the scratch marks and the bloodstains on his briefs.

Police said the rape-slay could have happened last Monday afternoon when the victim failed to return home.

The victim’s body was found in a grassy lot near the Bitik Center at Phase Dulo in Barangay 178 at around 10 a.m. yesterday.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) reports showed the victim was first raped before she was strangled to death.

Investigators said witnesses’ description of the suspect, who was last seen with the victim, matched the suspect’s features.