Ecija farmer detained for rape-slay of 11-year-old niece

LAUR, Nueva Ecija – The police arrested a 21-year-old farmer for allegedly raping and killing his 11-year-old niece in Barangay Siclong here on Thursday.

Felix Dela Cruz was detained hours after the body of the Grade 5 pupil was unearthed at a grassy lot in Siclong before midnight on Wednesday, said Senior Insp. Christopher Baluyot, Laur police chief. The girl’s nude remains were stuffed in a sack.

The girl never returned after Dela Cruz, a cousin of the victim’s mother, asked her to buy ice and cigarettes about 4 p.m. on Sept. 12. The girl’s father, Ernesto Navarro, alerted village officials about his missing daughter.

Police said Dela Cruz admitted killing the girl, saying he was lashing out against Navarro. ARMAND GALANG

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