Bulacan rape, slay suspect held in CamSur

MANILA, Philippines — A suspect in the rape and killing of a 15-year-old girl in Bulacan was arrested in Pamplona, Camarines Sur on Thursday.

Gaspar Maneja Jr., alias Jose Francisco Santos, was positively identifed by witnesses as the last person seen with Princess Marie Dumantay, according to reports reaching Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen, Central Luzon police director.

Maneja has pending warrants for rape and violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

The victim’s body was found in a grassy area along the Plaridel bypass road in Barangay Bonga Menor in Bustos two days after she was reported missing on Aug. 10. An autopsy report showed that she was raped.

Prior to the disappearance of the victim, she reportedly told her brother that she would meet a certain Jose Francisco Santos who would give her a bicycle. — Emmanuel Tupas