Suspect in toddler’s rape-slay urged to surrender

MANILA, Philippines - San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez yesterday urged the suspect in the rape and murder of an 11-month-old girl to surrender.

“It’s better for him to surrender. He could not escape the long arm of the law,” Gomez said.

A San Juan judge had issued a warrant for the arrest of Arnel Tumbali, alias Digoy, for the rape-slay of Geralyn Cortez on Aug. 1.

The mayor admitted that the unsolved killing of Cortez and a beerhouse owner in the city caused the ouster of San Juan police officer-in-charge Superintendent Jose Gutierrez.

Gutierrez was replaced by Senior Superintendent Job Marasigan, the concurrent deputy chief for operations of the Eastern Police District.

Gomez ordered Marasigan to solve the two cases as soon as possible.

The mayor and a concerned citizen have each offered a P200,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Tumbali.

A closed-circuit television footage showed Tumbali snatching the toddler from her parents, who were sleeping in an open area in Barangay Tibagan on Aug. 1.

The girl’s body was later found under a parked passenger jeepney along Don Ejercito street.

Investigators said the victim bore signs she was raped and hit in the chest with a blunt object.