Suspect in Naga student's rape-slay nabbed, admits crime

• Published date: 02 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported on Wednesday the quick resolution of the killing of an 18-year-old student in Pili, Camarines Sur after the arrest of the suspect, who owned up to the crime.

Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, in a statement, said suspect Reymark Belleza, a pedicab driver, was hired by the victim, Irish Mae Maguigad Payonga, on the day she attended an event at the Church of God World Missions - Southern Luzon Region at the Capitol Convention Center in Barangay Cadlan.

"The arrest was made through the special task force created that conducted a comprehensive investigation on the incident. The team was able to secure CCTV footages which paved the way for the identification of the suspect," she said.

The victim, of Camaligan town and senior high school student at Ateneo de Naga University, was first reported missing on Oct. 28.

Payonga boarded a public transport in Naga City going to Pili, Camarines Sur, and took a pedicab heading to the capitol where the event was about to happen.

At about 5:44 p.m. on Friday, she called her mother to inform that she would be home by 8 p.m. and would be fetched by her uncle.

The family, however, lost contact with the victim after the call.

On Oct. 31, two minors found a body in a...