Swollen lips betray rape suspect

MANILA, Philippines –  A man who had just gotten out of jail for car theft last year was arrested for attempted rape after his swollen lips gave him away to the police in Valenzuela City yesterday.

The 20-year-old victim told police said she was walking home at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night when suspect Christino Estrada, 28, grabbed her and dragged her to a grassy area at knifepoint, according to police women’s and children’s desk officer-in-charge Police Officer 3 Lorena Hernandez.

Estrada allegedly took her money and cell phone and started kissing the victim, who said the suspect punched her when she resisted.

While kissing her, the victim felt the suspect groping for the zipper of her pants. At this point, she bit down on the suspect’s lips, prompting him to let go. The victim ran away and sought police assistance.

With help from informants, investigation chief SPO3 Jess Sagisi with SPO1s Percy Villanueva and Ronald Subosa proceeded to Estrada’s house on Feliciano street in Barangay Mapulang Lupa and arrested him.