Woman raped and killed, buried in rice field

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The body of woman was found buried in a rice field in Sitio Alimatok, Barangay Celestino Villacin last Wednesday.

The woman was identified as Margarita de la Costa, 37, wife of Rolando de la Costa and mother of five children. It was Rolando himself and some relatives who found De la Costa just a day after Rolando reported her missing.

Initial investigation showed she was molested and strangled to death before hastily buried in the rice field, said Supt. Santiago Rapiz of the Cadiz police. Her clothes were buried separately several feet from where her body was found.

Police suspect De la Costa was waylaid when she passed through the rice field to bring lunch to Rolando last Tuesday.

Rapiz said witnesses had claimed seeing a certain Omar Catalan burying a body at the rice field. Catalan could not be found at his residence in Sitio Siwahon 2 in the same barangay.

Investigation showed Catalan had been imprisoned for almost five years for allegedly molesting two minors in Sagay. However, he was released from jail recently after the complainants decided not to pursue the charges.

Charges for rape with homicide are now being readied against Catalan. — Danny B. Dangcalan/JMO (THE FREEMAN)