Suspect in rape-slay of Samal pageant contestant gunned down

TAGUM CITY — The suspect in the alleged rape-slay of a beauty pageant contestant in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte province was shot and killed by a policeman on Monday morning, reports said.

Elvin Juna was killed after he tried to grab the gun of a police officer as he was about to be moved out of his detention cell at the city police station for a supposed medical emergency at 4:30 a.m., said Supt. Noel Asumen, Samal police chief.

Asumen said Juna, who was tagged in the rape and murder of 19-year-old Kimberly Autida, had complained of abdominal pains on Sunday night and asked to be taken to a local hospital.

“Actually, he had been complaining of stomach pain since 9 p.m. on Sunday but since it was already [late], our duty custodian asked him if he could wait and [endure] the pain until the morning. But when he started to make noises inside his cell at 4 a.m. on [Monday], his custodian decided to bring him to the nearest hospital,” Asumen told the Inquirer by telephone.

He said Juna, while he was being assisted by two policemen in boarding a vehicle, was able to loosen his handcuffs and tried to grab the firearm of one of his escorts.

“He attempted to run away but was shot by the other police escort. He died [while being taken to a] hospital,” Asumen said, adding the suspect was hit in the head.

He said Juna had used a piece of wire to cut loose his handcuffs.

Asumen said the policemen involved in the shooting were being investigated.

The body of Autida, a Mutya ng Samal 2016 candidate, was found in a carabao puddle near her house in Adecor village on Wednesday afternoon.

Juna, who confessed to the crime, was arrested after his jacket was found in the crime scene.

Police said Juna bore scratches, indicating the victim fought off her attacker.

Her parents said Autida failed to return home after she was asked to buy lunch.

Asumen said Juna was a drug user who earlier surrendered to authorities through the government’s antidrug campaign, “Oplan Tokhang.” —Frinston Lim