Slain trader laid to rest as family cries for justice

The family of the businesswoman who was killed in a robbery a week ago cried for justice as she was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at Cempark in barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

Pilar Hernandez, 62, was slain last week along with her secretary Wevina Pancho, 55, inside the PRH Lending Investment Inc. along T. Padilla Extension, barangay Tejero, a firm that caters mostly to policemen.

Her funeral was attended her immediate family, relatives, close friends, associates as well as some police officials.

Pilar's husband, retired colonel Jacob Hernandez, told reporters that they are confident that justice will be served.

Jacob is also convinced that the killer is a policeman based on the fatal gunshot wounds that Pilar sustained, one shot reported hit her heart.

"One hundred percent in my own opinion, because when I look at my wife, I could tell by the manner of execution," said Jacob, who served in the PNP for eight years after being transferred from the defunct Philippine Constabulary.

Police investigators have conducted several lineups of policemen since Monday based on the cartographic sketch and the name allegedly uttered by Pilar while she was being rushed to the hospital. The investigation has also been expanded to outside the province.

"Let us give them a chance, because there is still an investigation going on, but If I'm not satisfied, we will go to another investigating agency, everybody has the right especially when you are the victim," Jacob said.

Police did not reveal the exact amount the robber stole that day but Jacob said they lost around P700,000 to P1 million as well as the .45 cal. pistol he bought for his wife.

When asked of possible death threats that his wife might have received before the incident, Jacob said that sometime in 2003 Pilar got a sketch of her office complete with the exact positions of items and furniture inside. They believe it was drawn by someone who was angry with his wife.

"When I saw it, I was really concerned for my wife," Jacob said. -Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP