Two suspects in rape-slay of Sagada coed surrender

By Gina Dizon and Angel Baybay

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Two of three suspects in the July 24 rape-slay of a high school student here reportedly surrendered to local police and are now incarcerated at the municipal jail.

Police identified the two as Eugene Aguinsod, 19 and Arenz Dacmeg, 16, both of Barangay Taccong here.

Charges of rape and homicide are being readied by the family of the victim against the suspects
Victim Winnie Dumakit from Barangay Aguid here was found dead and naked morning of July 25 at the pine-nestled Tangeb grounds of Sagada Poblacion near St. Mary’s School.

Young men were reportedly seen “jamming” at Tangeb night before on site where the body was found.

Dumakit, a third year high school student of Bangaan National High School went to Sagada Poblacion July 24 with two of her friends from Aguid, reportedly to attend a school dance at SMS.

She did not return home that Friday night with her two companions which prompted her family to look for her the next day.

Police said the victim was apparently choked to death as no bruises or marks were found on her body.

This was reportedly the first time such case happened in this otherwise peaceful tourist town.

Sagada is about three hour’s drive from another top national tourism destination, Banaue town in Ifugao, where American Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, 40, was slain in 2007.