PNP Crime Lab autopsy: Slain girl, 8, was raped first

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The 8-year-old girl who was found dead early Wednesday morning was not only killed but was also raped, according to PNP Crime Lab-8 regional director Nestor Satur.

Satur, who conducted an autopsy on the cadaver of Catherine Sino-ag yesterday afternoon upon the request of the family, said the victim sustained two big lacerations in her hymen, indicating forcible sexual contact.

He said there were wounds on her shoulder, right hand and left thumb, possibly caused while grappling with the bladed weapon that the assailant used in slashing her throat. There were also contusions in the victim’s lower lip, lower jaw and in the left upper eyelid, possibly during sexual contact, he said, but refused to divulge the time and date when the rape was committed and the time she was killed.

Satur considered the killing of Catherine, a Grade 3 pupil, the most brutal criminal act so far this year in the region. The manner of killing her showed that it could have been done by people high on drugs. One or two perpetrators may be responsible, he said.

Earlier, City Health Officer Sarah Talla, after a post-mortem examination, told the victim’s father, Patricio, that his child was sexually molested then killed. Enraged, he and the child’s mother and sisters wanted the criminals to also suffer the same fate.

Meanwhile, financial help started to pour in for the family of the victim through voluntary contributions of Catherine’s classmates, schoolmates and teachers of the Babajuba Elementary School, the DepEd city division and the entire community. (FREEMAN)