MANILA, Philippines - A suspect in the brutal 2004 rape-slay of Metrobank teller Candice Castro was found guilty of rape with homicide by the Manila Regional Trial Court.

Suspect Philippe Marcelo was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay indemnity in the amount of P100,000; unearned income of P2,663,250.00 and moral and actual damages amounting to P3,255, 700.

Marcelo was arraigned for the murder of Castro inside a condominium unit in Malate last May 2004. Castro was found dead in unit 1103 of Velaggio Tower with 24 stab wounds and a mop handle inserted inside her sex organ.

The court said blood found on Marcelo's rubber sandals matched victim Castro's DNA. A latent print on the shower head in the victim's apartment also matched the fingerprint of Marcelo's middle finger.

Marcelo earlier said he only served as a lookout and that the real culprit in the crime was Bebs Reyes.