Cops arrest suspect in rape-slay of student

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — A 21-year-old man suspected of killing a 14-year-old girl in a village here was arrested Tuesday night, authorities said.

Jayson Maravilla, however, denied he had a hand in the death of Mary Jane Mangada, a third year high school student of Catarman National High School.

Residents found Mangada dead in barangay Dalakit about 300 meters from her school on Tuesday afternoon. She was half-naked with her hands tied behind her, leading police to suspect that she was raped before she was killed.

The girl suffered stab wounds in the nape and feet. Her bag was found beside her body.

She was last seen walking home to take her lunch on Tuesday noon. She, however, failed to report for class in the afternoon.

Two residents told police they saw the unemployed Maravilla leaving the crime scene about 1:30 p.m., about the same time the crime was believed to have happened. The suspect was allegedly bringing a bolo.

The police then picked up Maravilla from his residence in barangay Dalakit about 7:30 p.m. on the same day. They found two bolos inside his home. But Maravilla denied any involvement, saying he was in the area to gather firewood. INQUIRER