Manhunt for senior rape suspect

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A city wide police manhunt was launched against a 62-year-old laborer who allegedly raped, killed and dumped the body of a 17-year-old girl in a swampy area in Sitio Mabotato, Barangay Lapasan in this city Tuesday morning.

Police report identified the suspect as Sonny Ratonel who was seen by the witnesses dragging the body of the minor from his hut after hacking his victim, a native of Sultan Naga Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte.

The suspect, a laborer, was last seen dragging the body and fled after the incidents.

Investigation revealed residents reported to the Agora community police precinct that the incident took place early Tuesday morning when residents heard the victim shouting for help and later on saw the suspect dragging away the victim toward a swamp.

Responding policemen and barangay tanod retrieved the body of the victim already submerged in the water with a gaping hack wound in her neck.

The mother who arrived from Lanao del Norte identified the body of her daughter in the funeral parlor and narrated that the victim left their house last month to look for work and pursue her studies.