Slain girl's uncle charged with murder

MANILA, Philippines - Police filed murder charges yesterday against the uncle of a 13-year-old girl who was stabbed at least 11 times in her room in Sta. Mesa, Manila Friday.

Plumber Ronald Pelaez, 37, was identified by a witness as the man she saw wading out of an estero near their house and hurrying up the stairs minutes before the attack on his niece, Adrienne Mharie Bonavente, was discovered.

Bonavente, a second year high school student at the Sienna College in Quezon City, died at the UST Hospital.

“We are filing initial charges of murder against Pelaez, but additional charges of rape may be filed after the completion of the autopsy,” Manila Police District’s homicide section chief Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo told The STAR. Police theorized Bonavente was killed by her uncle because she tried to resist being raped. “Rape is considered consummated even without penetration,” De Ocampo said.

Despite the identification of the witness, Pelaez denied the allegation. He refused to talk to reporters, reportedly upon the advice of his lawyer.

De Ocampo said despite the circumstantial evidence, police have a strong case against the suspect. “The facts we have established point to him as the real culprit,” he said.    

Police said the girl sustained a number of stab wounds, including in both arms, indicating that she tried to fight off her attacker.

The Pelaez family, including Bonavente’s grandmother, Rosario, told investigators that someone broke into their house, then robbed and killed Bonavente. Police said the victim’s laptop, electronic gadgets, and money were untouched.

“It would be foolish for a robber to enter the house alone, as claimed by the family, since he would be lynched by the Pelaezes, who occupy several rooms inside the house,” De Ocampo said.