Arrest girl’s killers, SB orders

Quezon City Mayor Sonny "SB" Belmonte ordered the Central Police District yesterday to immediately arrest and prosecute the persons responsible for the rape-slaying of a 13-year-old sampaguita vendor whose naked body was found under a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station Thursday.

"I will put pressure on the police to solve the case," said Belmonte, apparently moved by the tragedy that befell the young victim identified as Maricel Seralde, a carpenter’s daughter and resident of Antipolo City.

Seralde’s naked and bloodied body was found under the MRT-North Station on EDSA in Quezon City four days ago. The victim sustained a severe cut in the head as a result of being hit with a lead pipe, police investigators said.

Witnesses had told police investigators at least four so-called "rugby boys" were seen chasing the victim hours before she was found dead by a traffic enforcer.

The police arrested over the weekend two suspects, one of whom was identified as Jerry de Vega, 24, a resident of Pantranco Area, also in Quezon City. He denied having anything to do with the killing.

Belmonte also directed the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help facilitate the release of the victim’s body from a funeral parlor.

Belmonte issued the order after victim’s father Marcel complained that the funeral parlor refused to release his daughter’s remains unless he paid up. Through DSWD officer Tess Mariano, the mayor said he would ensure the release of the girl’s body.

Meanwhile, authorities are now hunting an Army man and his two companions who allegedly shot dead a 27-year-old policeman in Libis, Quezon City Sunday.

Victim PO1 Anthony Cadiente, detailed at the Computer Service in Camp Crame, sustained a bullet wound in the nape and died at the Quirino Memorial Hospital.

The suspect, Army Private First Class Edgar Balbuena, fled with his two companions, the police said. – With Matthew Estabillo