Cops working to identify ‘person of interest’ in Laguna girl’s rape-slay

SAN PEDRO CITY— The police are now working to establish the identity of a “person of interest” in the rape and killing of a 14-year-old girl in Alaminos town in Laguna province.

Senior Inspector Gleen Cueva, the town’s police chief, said they could not disclose any information yet, but they have started piecing together “circumstancial evidence” leading to the suspect’s identity.

READ: Teen found dead in Laguna

He said the victim, a Grade 9 student and daugher of a lanzones grower, left her home in Barangay San Gregorio around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to buy medicines for a sick relative. The girl, however, failed to return, prompting her mother and older brother to look for her.

Cuevas said the family, accompanied by village watchmen, first found the child’s slipper on the street. Later, the other pair was found about 10 to 15 meters away.

“They were drawn (to the scene) because the grass looked like someone had paved it,” he said in a phone interview.

Investigators said the victim was found half naked, her face bruised. Cuevas said they were waiting for autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

Police said they recovered a lighter on the scene that could belong to the suspect. They also found the medicines that the victim had bought. /ee