Abused girl’s body found in Lapu lot

The body of a nine-year-old girl was found dumped in a grassy area a few meters from a police station in barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

A construction worker was later arrested by police after he allegedly admitted raping the child.

A charge for rape with homicide will be filed against Junniel Dusaban, 21, a native of barangay Cabcaban, Barili town, said Senior Insp. Zenaido Pastorfide, homicide chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO).

The victim, Ella Lasala, was found half-naked at 8:30 a.m. yesterday by two clean and green workers in a grassy area in front of police station 3.

A commercial building was being built in the area.

The girl was identified by her mother, Lani Pabrique, 31.

The mother said they have been looking for the girl after she failed to go home since Wednesday night.

“Nagtuo mi nga basin didto natulog sa lain niyang mga kaila (We thought she just slept in the house of one of his friends),” said Pabrique.

Police said it was possible that the victim was strangled.

In a follow-up investigation, police learned that two of the victim’s friends saw her together with a construction worker of JJ and J Construction, the firm contracted to construct the building.

At least 20 workers of JJ and J were brought to the police station for identification.

Police said the two friends identified Dusaban as the one whom they saw together with the victim past 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Police held Dusaban and released the other construction workers.

Dusaban was seen operating a backhoe while police and onlookers gathered around the victim’s body.

Police said Dusaban later admitted that he raped the victim.

In an interview, Dusaban said he and some co-workers had a drinking session on Wednesday night.

Dusaban said when his co-workers left, the girl approached her and asked money from him.

The suspect said he brought the girl to the grassy area in front of the Hoops Dome.

The suspect said the girl resisted when he undressed. The suspect said he covered the girl’s mouth to prevent her from shouting and raped her.

Dusaban said he later noticed that the girl was no longer moving and left her unconscious.

Dusaban said he already thought of surrendering before they were invited by police for questioning.

Dusaban said his live-in partner is scheduled to give birth for their eldest child on June./WITH A REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT CARINE M. ASUTILLA