Trike driver nabbed for near-fatal attack on HS student

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A 23-year-old colorum tricycle driver is facing frustrated murder charges after abducting, mauling and leaving for dead a senior high school student in a grassy vacant lot at a village here last Monday.

Renz Rendale Policarpio Basco, who was arrested Tuesday afternoon by police with the help of the community at his parents’ home in Barangay Saguin in this city, is also set to appear for preliminary investigation for rape before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

The arrested suspect has admitted having brought the victim to the place and committed the offense to the arresting officer despite knowledge of his constitutional rights, according Superintendent Jean Salvador Fajardo of Sto. Rosario Police Station Investigation Branch.

Fajardo said in her report that the inquest resolution issued by Associate City Prosecutor Shierma F. OcampoPatawaran found that probable cause for frustrated murder exists and recommended a bail of 1200,000 for Basco’s provisional liberty.

Fajardo also said a preliminary investigation for rape was set for March 8 at 10 a.m. considering there was no available medico-legal certificate from the OB-Gyne who examined the victim.

Police said the 15-year-old high school student was picked up by Basco in Barangay Cululut at 6 a.m. Monday, but instead of conveying her to school, he allegedly diverted to the boundary of Barangays Cululut and Panipuan where he dragged her to a vacant lot and assaulted her then leaving her for dead.