LINGAYEN—The police have arrested and charged in court the suspect in the rape-slay of a college freshman in PHINMA – University of Pangasinan.

P/Col. Redrico Maranan, acting police director of Pangasinan, said in a press conference that Jeric Gonzales, 23, of Paras St., Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City, the prime suspect in the killing at dawn Sunday of victim Bernadette Saplan, 18, was nabbed in his relative’s residence in Barangay Muelang, Mangatarem Monday.

Gonzales admitted raping and killing Saplan. He said he had come from a drinking spree when he met the victim while she was walking alone on her way home.

 
Saplan, a first year civil engineering student of PHINMA-University of Pangasinan and a resident of Blue Beach Subdivision, Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City, was found dead on a grassy lot on Pampano Street in that subdivision at 10:00 a.m. on June 16, her underwear lowered, an indication she was sexually abused before being killed.

P/Lt. Col. Abubakar Mangelen Jr, acting police chief of Dagupan City, said the suspect had scratches on different parts of his body that proved the victim, a karate yellow belter “fought for her life”.

Gonzales has been previously arrested for the crimes of theft on June 16, 2013 and robbery with attempted rape on June 23, 2016.

The police filed a case of rape and robbery with homicide at the Prosecutor’s Office because her earrings, necklace and cellular phone were missing.

An autopsy report submitted on Wednesday confirmed that Saplan was raped, Mangelen said.

She was found about 100 meters away from their residence. She was on her way home after attending a birthday party when she was accosted.

The suspect was arrested based on a closed circuit television footage video and two witnesses’ account, Mangelen said.

The victim’s father, Bernard Saplan, a tricycle driver, said he called his daughter through her cellphone but was surprised to hear a man’s voice answering at the other end and who even threatened him.

He said he had relayed the news about his daughter’s death to his wife who is working in Oman as a domestic worker.

Teary-eyed, Bernard said his daughter was a lector-commentator in a Catholic church in Dagupan and had big dreams for the family after she graduates.

She had wanted to give them a decent house and car as they are only caretakers of a big house, he added.

Bernadette’s remains lie in state at the San Juan Ebanghelista chapel in Dagupan City and will be interred on June 26. (PhilStar Wire Service)

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