Suspect in high school student’s rape, slay yields

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The suspect in the rape-killing of a third year high school student in Sorsogon City surrendered to the police chief of Sorsogon City on Tuesday in Quezon City.

Chief Superintendent Victor Deona, Bicol police chief, in an interview Wednesday, said Roderick Diesta, 33, a tricycle driver and suspect in the rape and killing of Angela Artita, is now in the custody of Sorsogon City police.

Artita, 16, was found dead along the Diversion Road in Sitio Baribag, Barangay (village) Bibingcahan, last Friday.

Investigation showed Artita left home on Thursday to visit a classmate but did not return home. She was last seen riding a tricycle from her classmate’s house, also in Barangay Bibingcahan.

Diesta, according to Deona, fled to Quezon City and hid in the house of his brother, Freddie. Freddie turned over Diesta to police at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Police on Tuesday filed rape and homicide charges against Diesta at the Sorsogon City prosecutor’s office.