Rape-slay in Daraga is 8th unsolved

LEGAZPI CITY—Shock gripped the university town of Daraga, Albay, following the discovery of the body of a student believed to have been raped and killed in the eighth of such unsolved case in the town.

The body of Laesybil Almonacid, 19, was found on Wednesday in the village of Bascaran in Daraga on a grassy lot near a military detachment.

Almonacid, a third year accountancy student of the state-run Bicol University (BU) in Daraga, was believed to have been killed on Tuesday.

Police formed Task Force Laesybil but refused to discuss details of the investigation.

A source, however, said police are looking at the possible involvement of a militiaman or a soldier in the crime as the place where Laesybil’s body was found was just 40 to 50 meters from a military detachment.

The crime was condemned by school authorities and top officials of Albay. “The university condemns all acts of violence and grieves,” said a statement issued by BU president Fay Lauraya.

The rape of Laesybil was the eighth such crime in Daraga. Seven previous rape cases have been reported but their victims were alive although unable to identify their assailants.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda directed police to “employ its full power to achieve justice.”

Police are processing the testimony of witnesses who might be able to shed light on the crime.

Investigators were quoted as saying Laesybil could have been bludgeoned to death. Other reports, however, said she might have been strangled to death.

Angelina Almonacid, Laesybil’s grandmother, said Laesybil had asked permission to visit a relative living just meters away.  Mar S. Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon