Girl, 17, killed inside house

Autopsy reveals she was sexually abused

CEBU, Philippines – The brutal killing of a 17-year-old college student in Lapu-Lapu City last Tuesday shocked many Cebuanos with no less than Mayor Paz Radaza calling  for “quick but clear answers.”

Karen Montebon’s father who had just arrived from work at past 5 p.m. found her lifeless on the floor in her room at their house in Corinthian’s Subdivision in Barangay Basak. He rushed her to the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital but Montebon was declared dead on arrival.

Montebon sustained several bruises to her face and chest.

Senior Supt. Armando Radoc, office-in-charge of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said the victim was strangled with the use of a cord from a hair straightening iron.

The victim was reportedly alone in the house at that time because her parents were at work and her older sister was at school.

At City Hall, Radaza called on witnesses to help catch the perpetrators.

Probe

Radoc said the victim’s DSLR camera and Ipad were missing but “we cannot say it’s a case of robbery kay mas daghan pa ug mahalon nga butang ang naa sulod sa balay.”

“Sa pagkakaron, we have a lead. We also have a clue, but as to the identity of the suspect, wala pa. As to the allegations of rape, atoa pang ipa-verify,” Radoc said.

He said a witness saw two people knocking at the Montebon’s residence morning on that day.

“A house helper living about few blocks away from the victim’s house noticed a woman wearing a full-faced helmet knocking on the door of Montebon’s house with a male companion also wearing a full-faced helmet, waiting on a black motorcycle around 7 a.m. of the same day,” Radoc told reporters yesterday.

The woman was described as petite with long hair while her male companion was described as looking about 40 years old.

Dr. Felino Bronia of the PNP Crime Laboratory said an autopsy of Montebon’s body revealed she died of choking with the use of hands was abused sexually.

Jho Capellan, 35, a resident of the subdivision, told reporters they did not hear any commotion from the Montebon residence.

He said the victim had a dog but it was reportedly under the care of a neighbor at that time.

Montebon’s father, James, said his daughter had a bright future ahead of her. She has just celebrated her birthday three weeks ago.

“Maayo man siya nga bata. Pangandoy niya nga mahuman siya sa iyahang pag-eskwela. Dili kaayo na siya laagan kay eskwela, balay og simbahan ra gyud na siya,” he said.

James said they trust the police investigation and hope justice will be served soon.  Students of the University of San Carlos will be wearing black today to condemn the killing.

USC’s student government called on Carolinians to be “vigilant and cautious” and called for unity in seeking for justice.

“In times like these, we just have to muster up our strength and help one another as a community. We are here for you. You and your family are in our hearts and minds,” the statement from the student government reads.

The call for justice was swift on social media.

On Facebook, the page “Justice for Karen Kay Montebon” generated at least 11,500 likes as of yesterday afternoon.

“You may rest in peace Karen. We love you so much. We promise (that justice will be served to those who did this to you). We will surely miss you, those memories, those sweet and funny moments, those laughters!” a post on the page reads.

During the mass yesterday at the USC Chapel, Fr. Sherwin Amorin called on those who empathize with Montebon to be sensitive.

“Sa ilang pagpangita og hustisya, unta dili nila i post ang hulagway ni Karen aron sa paghatag kaniya og privacy, ang maayo nila buhaton mao ang pag-ampo sa kamatayon sa bata,” he said.

In Lapu-Lapu  City, a member of the Board of Directors at the subdivision said changes has been put in place to strengthen the village’s security.

Merly Abella said it would appear that the guards were “complacent.”

“Na-timing sad nga gahapon na-end ilahang contract tungod kay ‘lax’ sila (sa pag-secure sa area),” Abella said.

A new security agency, JSL Security Agency, now guards the village. This time around, identification cards of drivers and motorists will have to be surrendered at the entrance while stickers for homeowners will be distributed. — /JMO (FREEMAN)