A family in Butuan City is demanding justice after their 7-year-old daughter was raped and murdered by their neighbor, who then dumped her body in a dry well and covered it with soil.
The horrific incident occurred in Barangay Basag, Butuan City.
The victim, a Grade 2 pupil, was found at approximately 9:00 AM this morning.
The suspect, identified as Dondon Acedo, 29, a security guard and resident of the same barangay, has been arrested.
The crime came to light after the suspect confessed to his actions, claiming he was driven to drink heavily following a quarrel with his partner.
He reportedly saw the victim, known as “Angel,” and forcibly took her to his home, where he raped and then attempted to drown her.
The suspect is now in the custody of Butuan City Police Station 4 for proper disposition.
The suspect has undergone a drug test, and authorities are awaiting the results.
According to PCAPT Dennis Bon, Officer In Charge of Police Station 4, Acedo was confirmed to have been intoxicated with alcohol at the time of the crime.
Acedo initially participated in the search for the missing child earlier that morning, March 15.
However, when evidence—a pair of clothes and pants—was found at the crime scene, he quickly disappeared, taking the clothes with him.
It was later discovered that Acedo had attempted to hide the clothes in his house.
This led police to suspect Acedo was responsible for the crime, which occurred on the night of March 14.
During interrogation, Acedo admitted to the crime.
He also stated to the Barangay Captain that he was not under the influence of illegal drugs the night he took the victim from her home.
The suspect confessed that after raping the child, he attempted to drown her in a basin of water.
When the child fled to a nearby banana plantation, he followed and beat her to death, then threw her body into a dry well.
The suspect is currently in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Authorities have prepared the necessary documents to file charges against him, including rape with homicide.
The case has sparked outrage and concern in the community, and police are committed to ensuring justice is served.