OLONGAPO CITY—United States marshals had arrested the principal suspect in the killing of a 23-year-old woman whose body was found in a dike in San Felipe, Zambales, on July 25, Mayor Rolen Paulino said on Saturday.
Jonathan Dewayne Viane, 29, was arrested on Thursday in the American state of Iowa, the mayor announced, citing information relayed by the United States Embassy on Saturday afternoon.
It was not clear if or when Viane would be extradited to the country.
Viane and a second suspect, Niño de la Cruz, were charged with murder before a regional trial court in Zambales for the death of Karie Ces “Aika” Mojica, an employee of a local supermarket.
She was found dead at the Sto. Tomas River dike in San Felipe town.
De la Cruz was arrested on Aug. 12 by members of the police’s Special Action Force in Metro Manila.
In an earlier interview, Josar Mojica, the victim’s father, suspected that his daughter was killed after being dragged into Viane’s marital problem. The elder Mojica said his daughter and Viane’s wife, who is based in the US, were friends.
He said Viane left his wife in the US and took their son to the Philippines in April amid a custody battle.
A female witness informed the police that she and Mojica met Viane at 2 a.m. on July 25 at a gasoline station for a discussion. They came from a karaoke bar.
Four hours later, Mojica’s body was found at about 6 a.m. in San Felipe.
Police described the victim’s body as “partly burnt.” They said her hands were tied with a black plastic strap. Recovered from the area were three empty shells from a 9mm pistol. Allan Macatuno