Killer says he mistook
70-year-old for ‘witch’
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

A 22-year-old suspect in the rape-slay of a 70-year-old woman in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, who surrendered Saturday, claimed that he had mistaken the victim for a “witch”, Chief Insp. Santiago Rapiz said yesterday.

Suspect Rodel Lamis, alias Pandak, admitted having killed Lily Santillan, but denied molesting her, Rapiz, who is the Escalante police chief, added.

Santillan, who had one blind eye and was living alone, was found dead and naked by her grandson, Mario Mahinay, in her makeshift hut in Sitio Camayo-ong, Brgy. Dian-ay, Escalante City, Thursday.

Five soldiers were injured in clashes with suspected New People’s Army rebels in Tapaz, Capiz, Saturday, the military said yesterday.

Injured in a gunbattle with 10 suspected rebels in Brgy. Aglinab, Tapaz, Capiz, were Cpl. Lemuel Zepeda and Cpl. Rolly Casipe, of the 47th Infantry Battalion, 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said.

Posadas said 14 soldiers led by 2Lt. Leo Abulencia were on combat patrol when they encountered 10 suspected NPA rebels in Brgy. Aglinab at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

After suspending work at the Batasan Complex Tuesday due to reports of an A(H1N1)-related death involving a House employee, Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday declared that operations at the House of Representatives will be back to normal today.

However, thermal scanners will be used to screen employees and visitors while the House Medical Services Department will remain on alert  to minimize the possible entry of A(H1N1) virus carriers inside the Batasan premises, Nograles said in a House press release. .