Cops eye 3 suspects in woman’s ‘rape-slay’

DUMAGUETE CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Tayasan, Negros Oriental has identified at least three persons of interest in the death of a young woman, who was also believed to have been raped prior to her murder.

Senior Inspector Marve Bolay-og, the police chief of Tayasan, declined to elaborate on the so-called persons of interest while investigators are conducting a thorough probe on the death of Charra Ricafranca Bokingkito, 21, with a common-law partner, and a resident of Barangay Lutay, Tayasan.

Bokingkito’s body, which was already in an advanced state of decomposition, was found at a sugarcane field around 2 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Cabulotan, Tayasan, by her aunt, Dacy Bokingkito.

According to Bolay-og, the family of the victim had reported to the police on Tuesday, June 26, that Charra had gone missing and was last seen on Sunday, June 24.

Based on the crime scene and initial police investigation, it appears that the girl was raped before she was killed, said the Tayasan police chief.

However, the police still need the confirmation of Dr. Mirasol Zuniega, who performed a medico-legal examination on the body.

Also, police investigators could no longer ascertain the cause of the woman’s death, whether she was a victim of strangulation, gunshot, or stabbing because of the decomposed body, said Bolay-og.

Bokingkito was laid to rest Friday morning, he said. (PNA)