Suspect in murder of rape victim shot dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A suspect in the rape and killing of a three-year-old girl in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat was killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers on Thursday.

Rolando Baylon drew his gun and opened fire when cornered in Barangay Kuden, Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Soccsksargen police director, said.

The mother of the victim told probers Baylon took the victim from their home then raped her in a secluded area.

Two farmers said they were gathering firewood when they saw the suspect hit the girl with a rock in the head several times before he escaped.

Barangay officials said Baylon had been jailed several times for other criminal offenses, including the murder of a farmer.