Man charged for death of girl thrown in well

CEBU, Philippines - It’s a sad birthday for the man accused of attempting to rape and then killing the 14-year-old girl who was found dead down a well in Barangay Tigabawan, Tabuelan town last Friday.

This, after the Tabuelan police yesterday filed charges of attempted rape with homicide against Elmar Montecalbo before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Montecalbo turns 34 today but instead of celebrating, he will be spending his birthday inside the Tabuelan Police Station.

With the recent turn of events, Montecalbo now has no idea what to wish for his birthday.

Upon inquest, Montecalbo signed a waiver of detention and is detained at the Tabuelan Police Station while further investigation is still pending before the Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutor Marlon Atillo gave Montecalbo seven days to file his counter-affidavit to negate the allegations filed against him.

In an interview, Junie Lahoylahoy, brother of the 14-year-old victim, believed that Montecalbo attempted to rape his sister who was on her way home from school.

He said Montecalbo failed because they were starting to look for her.

Junie said it was only last Friday when they recovered the body of his sister inside the abandoned well.

“While we decided to go to the abandoned well, respondent told us not to go as it was impossible for the victim to be in there,” he said in Cebuano.

Junie suspected Montecalbo because of his actuations.

“When we reached the abandoned well, we saw something was inside but respondent told us it was not a human body but an animal, a cow,” he said in Cebuano.

The abandoned well was said to be about 18 yards deep.

Junie said when they verified what’s inside, they found his sister who was already dead. They believed his sister died because of her neck wound.

Junie said they have five witnesses against Montecalbo who denied the allegation.

Montecalbo said that afternoon he was just gathering feeds for their goats and cows and that he was just at home that night.

Montecalbo added that it was impossible for him to commit the crime saying he has no misunderstanding with the victim’s family who are also his relatives. The victim was also Montecalbo’s neighbor.

Montecalbo added that he even joined the group in searching for the victim.  (FREEMAN)