PHILIPPINE National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee on Thursday announced the resolution of a gruesome rape-slay case in Malabon City following the arrest of the principal suspect in a hot pursuit operation in Malolos City in Bulacan nearly 12 hours after the body of the victim was discovered.

In a report to PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official said the captured suspect is a 26-year-old construction worker.

He said that the suspect was arrested by officers from the CIDG Northern Metro Manila District Field Unit (DFU) and the Malabon City Police Station in front of the Centro Escolar University (CEU) along McArthur Highway in Malolos City at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday.

“The suspect [was] identified as the main suspect in the rape-slay case in Barangay Baritan in Malabon City last Tuesday,” said Lee.

According to the CIDG official, the CIDG Northern Metro Manila DFU identified the suspect following a review of CCTV (closed-circuit television) camera footage near the scene and several witnesses’ statements.

He added that the suspect also confessed his involvement in the crime to his relatives, who fully cooperated with the CIDG and the Malabon City Police in arresting the suspect.

Lee said that on Wednesday at midnight, officers motored to Malolos City to arrest the suspect. When the lawmen arrived at the residence of the suspect’s grandfather, he confirmed that his grandson was indeed inside and sleeping in their room.

When asked to come out of the house, the suspect was positively identified by witnesses prompting the officers to place him under arrest. A brief commotion ensued when the accused tried to put up a fight until he was subdued.

Lee said that his men found the black sports bag being carried by the suspect and the dark yellow shorts he was wearing when a CCTV camera captured him in an area near the crime scene.

“With the effort and dedication of our operatives, we wasted no time. Within 12 hours after the discovery of the crime, the suspect was located and arrested. This is one of those instances wherein no matter how hard criminals try to avoid incarceration and evade the law, there is just no way they can get away with it,” the PNP-CIDG director said.

The family of Lovely Ann Villagomez, 29, thanked the PNP-CIDG and the Malabon City Police headed by Col. Albert Barot, for immediately capturing the suspect.

The CIDG and the Malabon CPS joined in investigating the case shortly after the victim’s boyfriend discovered her body. The victim was found lying on the floor without her shorts and underwear.

The suspect also killed the victim’s dog.

A CCTV camera footage showed the suspect, wearing a printed purple t-shirt and carrying a bag, walking around the area. The suspect went inside the victim’s house and later left clad in a yellow t-shirt at around 1:55 p.m.

Another footage showed that the suspect rode an e-tricycle and proceeded to Bgy. Flores.

Barot said that they were able to talk to the driver of the three-wheeled vehicle and to a relative of the suspect, to whom he admitted committing the crime before fleeing to Bulacan.

The suspect, who was reported to have been previously charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, is now facing charges of murder, resistance to persons in authority, and disobedience.

The result of the forensic examination of the victim’s body will determine if he will also be charged with rape.