By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
PANGASINAN — One of the two suspects arrested in connection with the abduction and murder of a 7-year-old girl in Dagupan City has been identified as her biological father, police confirmed on Monday, August 18.
The victim, Alleria Gabrielle, a Grade 2 student and resident of Barangay Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan, was found dead on August 15 on the shoreline of Bangus Ville in Barangay Bonuan Gueset. Her body was discovered by a local resident.
Authorities apprehended the suspects — a couple — through a coordinated operation involving the Dagupan City Police Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Polic Lt. Col. Lawrence Keith Calub, along with the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit, Urdaneta City Police, Asingan PNP, and Sison PNP.
During a press briefing on Monday, Police Col. Arbel C. Merculo, director of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, revealed that the suspects had rented a Toyota Fortuner allegedly used in the commission of the crime.
The vehicle was traced to an alias “Juan,” a resident of Barangay Catablan, Urdaneta City, and operator of a rent-a-car business.
Investigators discovered that the vehicle’s original license plate had been replaced with a counterfeit one.
The couple had submitted identification cards to the car rental operator, which helped confirm their identities.
GPS tracking data from the vehicle revealed it had traveled to multiple locations, aiding authorities in tracing the suspects’ movements.
The registered owner of the vehicle cooperated with police, leading to the swift identification of the suspects.
The vehicle was subjected to clearing and safety procedures by the EOD/K9 Unit, followed by forensic examination conducted by the Urdaneta City Forensic Unit.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the crime.
An inquest proceeding was scheduled for Monday.
Read related story: https://tempo.mb.com.ph/2025/08/15/missing-girl-7-found-dead-on-shoreline-in-dagupan-city/
