Judge orders arrest of suspect in toddler’s rape-slay

MANILA, Philippines - A San Juan City judge has issued an arrest warrant against the prime suspect in the rape and murder of an 11-month-old girl last Aug. 1.

In an order issued last week, Regional Trial Court Branch 162 Judge Cesar Sulit recommended no bail for Arnel Tumbali, who is the subject of a police manhunt.

Mayor Guia Gomez and a concerned citizen have each offered a P100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Tumbali.

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Tumbali stealing the toddler from her parents, who were sleeping in an open area in Barangay Tibagan last Aug. 1.

Another CCTV video showed Tumbali carrying the girl as he walked in the middle of the street in the wee hours of the morning.

The girl’s body was found under a parked passenger jeepney along Don Ejercito street in Barangay Tibagan last Aug. 1. Investigators said the girl’s body bore signs she was raped and then hit in the chest with a blunt object. The impact ruptured her liver.

Earlier, the San Juan police claimed that Tumbali was last seen roaming around in Mandaluyong City but he was nowhere to be found when responding policemen arrived.