Raps filed vs four suspects in Bragas rape-slay
THE SPECIAL Investigation Task Group Bragas filed rape with homicide charges on Monday, May 17, against four suspects involved in the gruesome end of a 28-year-old architect on May 17.
In a press conference with the task group and the National Bureau of Investigation XI, city police director Col Alberto Lupaz said one of the four perpetrators remained unidentified.
Based on the narration of two witnesses, three of the four suspects were Renato Bayansao, Kent Laurence Espinoza, and Dennis Roy Pansan.
Bayansao was identified as the yellow tricycle’s driver who made a sudden U-turn to pick up Vlanche Marie Bragas on that fateful night. Espinoza was the one sitting inside, posing as another passenger. The tricycle picked up Pansan near the victim’s home.
Reportedly, it was Pansan who punched the victim until she became unconscious.
Pansan was the same individual who sought refuge at the Matina Pangi Barangay Hall on May 29. He claimed to have been abducted, taped, and hand-tied two days earlier.
The Talomo police took custody of Pansan, but he collapsed and suffered a seizure while being interviewed by investigators. He was given first aid by the station nurse and rushed to the Davao Adventist Hospital in Bangkal, Barangay Talomo, but died on the way.
On May 27, Bayansao was arrested by the NBI XI and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI in a buy-bust.
In presenting Bayansao to the media, NBI XI director Archie Albao previously confirmed that he was one of the persons of interest in the Bragas rape-slay case. The NBI filed a drug case against the suspect on May 29.
Espinosa was reported missing after unknown individuals allegedly abducted him on May 27. But the police considered him and the other suspect “at large.”
