7-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped, raped, found dead in well in Butuan City

A 7-year-old girl believed to have been raped was found dead inside a well in Barangay Basag, Butuan City.

In a "24 Oras" report by GMA Regional TV’s Sarah Hilomen-Velasco, the authorities have arrested a 29-year-old neighbor, who led them to the victim’s body then attempted to flee.

According to police, the victim’s father reported her missing early Saturday after she failed to return home on Friday night. That morning, search teams discovered her remains inside a well.

The suspect, a neighbor, initially helped in the search and even accompanied authorities to the well where the victim was found.

However, suspicion arose when his shirt and pants were discovered near the crime scene. He then disappeared but was swiftly arrested by law enforcement.

“Nag-confess na rin siya sa barangay opisyal na siya yung responsable sa krimen na iyon,” said Police Captain Dennis Bon, chief of Police Station 4. 

(He confessed to the barangay official that he was the one responsible for the crime.)

In his statement to the police, the suspect claimed he had been drinking before passing by the victim’s house. He allegedly entered through the back kitchen and saw the child sleeping alongside her siblings while their father was in another room.

The suspect confessed to punching the girl while she was in bed. When she became unresponsive, he took her to his house, sexually assaulted her, and later threw her into the well.

“May initial kami na ano (information) kasi sinabi dito na gumagamit din daw (ng ilegal na droga) pero hindi pa natin ma-conclude kasi wala pa tayong result eh sa ano, drug test na. Pina-conduct natin sa kanya,” said Bon. 

(We have initial information suggesting he may have been using illegal drugs, but we cannot confirm this yet as we are still waiting for the drug test results.)

GMA Regional TV is getting a statement from the victim's family.

Meanwhile, authorities are preparing the charge of rape with homicide against the suspect. — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News