Suspect in rape-killing of 7-year-old girl recants statement

MANILA, Philippines - A suspect in the rape and murder of a seven-year old girl in Paco, Manila retracted his admission of the crime.

Roderick Soliveres, 28, one of the two pedicab drivers arrested for the death of Arnieca Abando, a grade one pupil at the F. Ma. Guerrero Elementary School, in an interview with The STAR, pointed to Cecilio Bacolo, 19, his alleged cohort, as the mastermind.

Bacolo, however, denied the allegation and stood pat on his sworn statement.

Police investigators said Soliveres retracted his statement after his mother visited her at Manila Police Department headquarters, where the suspects were detained.

Bacolo and Soliveres had admitted that they conspired in luring the victim to go with them so they could give her food.

The suspects took the child with them, rode a jeep to Sta. Mesa and headed straight to the house allegedly owned by Soliveres’ friend on Pat Antonio street in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Bacolo said Soliveres had been eyeing the child for some time and was actually looking for a chance to fondle her.

Arnieca’s half-naked body was found on the fourth floor of the house, with a nylon cord looped around her neck. Investigators said there were ligature marks on her neck, lacerations on her body and blood on her genitals. Her body was discovered at around 9:20 p.m., nearly 12 hours after the incident.