The suspect in an alleged rape that killed 21-year-old Rena Pantallon, a resident of Barangay Balintawak in Escalante City, Negros Occidental earlier this week, was shot by police during an operation at Sitio Balod in Barangay Campo Himoga-an, Sagay City, late Thursday evening.

Escalante City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Rollie Pondevilla, said 30-year-old Jojit Miñoza, a resident of Barangay Balintawak, was suspected of the crime after gathering witness testimony.

Miñoza repeatedly tried to elude police until he was tracked down in Sagay City.

Instead of surrendering, however, the suspect reportedly pulled out a firearm and began firing at the cops, prompting police to return fire, resulting in Miñoza’s death.

Last Thursday morning, Pantallon’s remains were found by her brother, Jason, in the middle of a sugar plantation at Sitio Liki in Barangay Balintawak.

The victim’s remains are presently undergoing an autopsy to determine if she was indeed raped before being killed./DGB, WDJ