Cops, military hunt rape-slay suspects

COTABATO CITY –- Police and military authorities in Parang, Maguindanao have launched a provincewide manhunt against two of the four suspects in the rape-slay of a high school student in Parang town Saturday.

Lt. Colonel Ibrahim Jambiran, Parang municipal police chief, said he sought the help of the mili

tary and the Philippine Marines stationed in the neighboring towns of Parang, Barira, Matanog, Buldon in Maguindanao, as well as the towns of Kapatagan, Balabagan, and Malabang in Lanao del Sur.

The areas, Jambiran said, are likely to be where the suspects have fled.

Jambiran said residents of Barangay Poblacion 1 mauled two suspects allegedly involved in the rape-slay of the 16-year old girl.

Tato Bualan, 39, and Israel Sarip, 40, both residents of Barangay Poblacion were mauled by residents after they allegedly gang-raped the student.

Sarip later died due to serious body and head injuries while Bualan is now detained at the Parang municipal police station.

Two other suspects, Samsudin Sarip, 34, alias Mansuh: and his brother Sulayman Sarip, 30, alias Mancao, remain at large.

“They are now the subject of our province-wide manhunt,” Jambiran said Tuesday. “In due time the long arm of the law will finally catch them.”