3 rape-slay suspects nabbed in Laguna

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna, Philippines – Three men accused of raping and killing a 19-year-old youth leader last Jan. 1 in this town have been arrested by the police.

Arrested were Jonie Mabansag Dilla, 30, Marlon Arida Carandang, 26, and Leonardo Garcia Obilla. They were tagged as suspects in the rape-slaying of Youth For Christ leader Rizza Entorizo Baybay, of Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Pulong, Sta. Cruz town.

The suspects were positively identified by a witness, according to Sta. Rosa police chief Superintendent Edwin Wagan.

Wagan said the victim’s body was found on Jan. 2 at a vacant lot in Barangay Pulong, Sta. Cruz.

Three days later, a witness surfaced and told investigators that he saw Dilla in the area where the victim’s body was discovered.

Dilla was nabbed during a buy-bust operation on Jan. 4 while Carandang and Obilla were caught in a follow-up operation.