Pubdate: Thu, 08 Sep 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Pete Laude
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Philippines

GIRL, 5, SURVIVES DRUG ADDICT'S SAVAGE ATTACK IN NAVOTAS

A five-year-old girl is now fighting for her life at a hospital for
multiple slash and stab wounds after being attacked by a drug-crazed
man past midnight yesterday in Navotas.

The victim's mother, Rosalinda Dizon, 33, a resident of Barangay
Navotas West, told police her daughter remains in critical condition
at the Intensive Care Unit of the Tondo Medical Center.

The girl's tongue was almost severed from three slash wounds. Her neck
also had at least seven deep slash wounds. She suffered from at least
61 knife wounds in different parts of the body, police said.

PO3 Cesazrio Naturaliza Jr., officer-on-case, said the girl and her
mother were attending the birthday party of a relative on Satillan
street in Barangay San Jose when the incident took place.

At 12:30 a.m., a neighbor informed the mother that her daughter was
found bloodied at a dimly lit portion of the street, not far from
where the party was being held.

A witness said a man, described to be around 5'7" in height and about
20 to 25 years old, was walking with the girl.

Police said the suspect could have been high on drugs when he
committed the savage act. There were, however, no indications of
sexual abuse.

Barangay San Jose has been one of the areas in Navotas being closely
watched by authorities due to its drug problem.

Last July 16, a rape-slay victim was discovered buried at the public
cemetery.

Suspect Joel Cortan, the girl's neighbor and a known drug dependent,
remains at large.

Barangay San Jose has a total of 20 watchmen in the barangay.
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