Rape suspect arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested one of the men who allegedly raped and killed a 19-year-old woman near Mahiga Creek in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City last week.

Ruel Jusay, a 39- year-old scavenger, was arrested Thursday afternoon after a witness pointed to him as the person who was following victim Queenie Marie Arriesgado late in the evening of July 20, before the victim was found dead.

People's suspicion on his involvement  was heightened when the suspect, who used to loiter under the bridge of Mahiga Creek, no longer visited the area following the incident.

Mabolo Police Station Chief Ryan Devaras said they are still looking for Jusay's two cohorts, whose name they are withholding pending a follow up operation.

Jusay, in an interview, admitted knowing the two other suspects but denied participating in the crime.

Devaras said the suspect was inconsistent with his statements.

"Pirmiro niingon siya na wala siya didto pagkahitabo, then niingon na sad na natog daw siya didto sa iyang balay," he added. (First he said he was not around during the incident, then later he said he was sleeping in his house.)

Arriesgado, a 3rd year high school student of Zapatera National High School, was raped before she was strangled to death, the autopsy showed.  (FREEMAN)