Suspect in rape-slay of Dagupan teen nabbed

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan— Police arrested a suspect in the killing of a youth minister of St John Cathedral Church.

Col. Redrico Maranan, acting provincial police chief, said Jeric Gonzales, 22, a resident of Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan, was arrested in Muelang, Mangatarem, Pangasinan just eight hours after the body of Bernadette Saplan, an 18-year-old student at the University of Pangasinan, was found June 9.

Maranan said records showed Gonzales was arrested for theft on June 16, 2013, and robbery with attempted rape on June 23, 2016.

At around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Saplan left her house to attend a birthday party and failed to return home.

The following day, Glenard, her brother, found her naked body in a grassy lot at Pampano St., Tondaligan Blue Beach Subdivision, Bonuan Gueset.

Col. Abubakar Mangelen, acting Dagupan chief of police, said the girl was robbed and killed by Gonzales.

Mangelen said there were signs that Naplan, who was a taekwondo expert, tried to defend herself but was struck with a hard object on head, causing her instant death.

Police said robbery was a likely motive because Saplan’s cell phone and jewelry were missing.

A medico legal examination will also determine if the victim was raped, police said.

Gonzales’ family is waiting for her mother to arrive from Oman, where she is a migrant worker.