Minor pleads guilty to rape-slay of Sagada lass

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A minor, one of the suspects in the rape-slay of a young lass in the tourist town of Sagada last year pleaded guilty here Jan. 19 before presiding judge Joseph Patnaan of branch 36 of the Mountain Province regional trial court.

The youngster was represented by lawyer Andrew Reuben Daculan of the Public Attorney’s Office.

Daculan replaced lawyer Alex Degyem who represented Dacmeg during previous arraignments.
On Nov. 12, 2009, another suspect identified as Uegine Aguinsod represented by lawyer Sergio Milan pleaded guilty in the same jurisdiction of Patnaan.

Earlier on July 25, 2009 the victim was found dead at the Tangeb ground of the St. Mary’s School compound, Sagada by a certain Frenzel Diwag.

Diwag reported the incident to St. Mary’s School school principal Dennis Faustino who in turn called the attention of Sagada police that conducted the investigation.

According to separate affidavits signed by three female witnesses, in the evening of July 24, 2009, the victim and three lady companions, all students of the Banga-an National High School in Sagada, were supposed to attend a school dance at SMS on invitation of a lady friend from the sponsoring school.

One of the witnesses failed to contact their friend to accompany them inside the hall so they went instead to the Tengab ground to meet the victim’s text mate.

Based on sworn statements of witnesses including the result of police investigation, provincial chief prosecutor Moises Ayuchok filed a case of rape with homicide against the suspects at the RTC which was docketed as criminal case no. 02342.

But despite the acceptance of guilt, which is a grave offense by the two suspects, the prosecutor must have to submit more evidence in succeeding hearings.

The family of the victim is being represented by Ayuchok and volunteer private lawyer Amadeo Degay, of the Fidilisan ethnic group wherein the victim was a member.