4 suspects in girl’s rape-slay executed
COTABATO CITY— Four men believed to be behind the rape, killing and burning of a 14-year-old girl in Marawi City were executed by firing squad with the consent of their families, according to a top official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
ARMM Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman said he had reported to Gov. Mujiv Hataman that the four were put to death on Aug.17 by an unnamed armed Moro group near Bayang town, after both the families of the suspects and the victim had so agreed to prevent a “rido” or family feud.
Lucman also stood by the local police, saying the victim’s family did not file a complaint and that the police had to release the suspects 36 hours after their arrest. The four were identified as Salman Udag Sambitory, Jabbar Rikta Macacua, Elias Kamote Pimping and Jalil Alilit Sani.
In a report, Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, police chief for Lanao del Sur province, said the suspects were held for questioning in a follow-up operation without any warrant on a Saturday, but they could not be submitted to the court. Neither could they be detained beyond 36 hours, Tello said.
‘Unique case’
“The suspects’ families told me they agreed on it that way with the family of the victim. This is a very unique case. The two parties involved have settled, as you already know in Maranao culture, it’s too painful; it’s better that you kill several males than rape, murder and much more if a female is burned alive. I think it’s the best settlement, given the circumstances,” Lucman said.
Following their arrest on Aug. 15, Saturday, the four had admitted on video recording to entering and stealing valuables from the victim’s house before raping her and choking her to death. One of them burned her body by setting on fire pages of the Koran, Islam’s holy book.
Muhammad Faiz Biston, a resident who closely followed the developments, said the execution took place before midnight of Monday. Other sources said it took place about 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
Each of the four suspects was seen with a single bullet wound in the head, but cellular phones and cameras were strictly prohibited by the masked executioners, said a resident, who declined to be named, to “put an end to this story.”
Quoting Tello’s report, Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM executive’s chief of staff, said the police reported that the four were the same suspects in the killings of a college professor and a student at Mindanao State University in Marawi, and in a previous rape incident.
In his report, Tello said dangerous drugs were a menace in Lanao del Sur. Police authorities have reported an average of at least one incident of killing daily in the province.
Officials vowed to push a strong campaign against illegal drugs by providing more venues of youth development programs, such as sports, alternative and vocational education and Islamic values forums, as well as leadership training seminars, Mitmug said. Nash B. Maulana, Inquirer Mindanao
