3 other suspects in Kiara rape-slay surrendered

CEBU, Philippines —  The three other individuals whom the suspect behind the killing of 10-year-old Kiara Namanama has tagged as his accomplices voluntarily surrendered to the Talisay City Police Station and cleared their names.

On Wednesday, the police arrested the 18-year-old Ian Rey Baculi just hours after the victim was laid to rest.

Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, Talisay City Police Station chief, said the three other individuals mentioned by Baculi went to their station with their colleagues and other documents to prove their alibis when the incident happened.

One of them was a jeepney driver who was accompanied by his employer.

"Nibarug jud nga anang adlawa (commission of crime), kining usa sa gi-mention aning atong suspect is nag duty and nag drive sa isa ka pasaheroan," said Caballes.

The other one was a truck boy who was accompanied by the truck driver and also proved that he was on-duty when the crime was committed.

The last one was an employee of a power line who brought with him their company logbook to show his attendance at his workplace.

"So ato na silang gipang kuhaan og mga statements, kuyog sa ilang mga witnesses ug mga documents nga ing-anang adlawa nag-duty sila," said Caballes.

In their interview with Baculi, Caballes said these three individuals were his acquaintances in the barangay where they are living at.

These three also claimed that there was a time that they caught a conflict with Baculi.

"Kay nangasuko daw ning mga tawhana ni Baculi kay notado nga kawatan didto sa ilaha," said Caballes.

Aside from this, the police also didn't find any criminal record from these three individuals during their background checking.

As they voluntarily surrendered to authorities to clear their name, Caballes also said they assessed that these three didn't have involvement with Kiara's murder.

With this, Caballes said they are redirecting their investigation solely back on Baculi still based on the witnesses they gathered.

The police of Talisay City have gathered a total of seven witnesses pointing Baculi as the suspect.

Since the day that Baculi was arrested, he admitted to the police that he was the only one who murdered the victim.

Further, Caballes said they have seen an inconsistency on Baculi’s statements when he admitted that he has three other cohorts in committing the crime a day after and claiming that he was the only one again when asked later.

"According sa atong suspect, grabe iyang konsensya, maglisod na sya og tulog, then sige sya og pakit-on sa bata," said Caballes.

Caballes said they will be filing the charges of murder against Baculi on Friday afternoon. — GMR (FREEMAN)