Rape suspect slain by Manila Police for ‘escape attempt’

MANILA, Philippines — A man accused of raping an eight-month-old girl was killed after he reportedly tried to escape by grabbing the gun of a policeman in the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 9 Thursday night.

Benedicto Dizon, 22, a construction worker, earlier complained of a headache and breathing difficulties due to injuries inflicted by the baby’s relatives during his arrest.

He was brought out of his detention cell for a medical checkup, according to Senior Police Officer 3 Richard Escarlan, MPD homicide investigator.

Police Officer 1 Dennis Javier took Dizon to the office of Station 9 commander Superintendent Bobby Glen Ganipac for clearance at around 10:20 p.m. 

While waiting for the vehicle that would take Dizon to the hospital, Javier removed the suspect’s handcuffs and offered him coffee as Ganipac watched, Escarlan said. 

Once Dizon finished the coffee, Javier moved to put the handcuffs back on the suspect. It was then that Dizon reportedly grabbed the lawman’s gun and fired but missed. 

With his gun drawn, Ganipac rose from his chair and fired twice, hitting the suspect in the chest.

Dizon was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Maynila. 

Superintendent Carlo Magno Manuel, MPD public information chief, said the case is under investigation and they are still waiting for the complete medical report before issuing any statement. 

Dizon was arrested in a followup operation Monday night after the mother of the baby filed a complaint.

She told police they were sleeping when she heard her baby cry out at around 5 a.m. She saw the suspect on top of her daughter, his shorts pulled down.

She said that when Dizon saw she was awake, he fled on foot.

At the Philippine General Hospital, tests showed the baby had been raped.