PRO-7 to face questions on Montebon slay case

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 is willing to answer questions regarding the result of the investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old college student, which has been declared solved by authorities.

This after the Crusade Against Violence organization questioned the police why Jenalyn Soon, the live-in partner of suspect Ruben Fernandez, was not considered as a cohort in the murder of Karen Kaye Montebon.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, the director of PRO-7, said they are willing to have a dialogue with the CAV organization to clarify the matter.

Bañas said he will direct Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, the supervisor of the Special Investigation Task Group formed to concentrate on Montebon’s case, to look into the concern of the group.

“Para hindi naman nila sasabihin na haphazard ang investigation,” said Bañas.

Lawas has said earlier that based in their investigation, it was only Fernandez who was responsible for the death of Montebon and that there were no pieces of evidence that could link Soon to the crime.

Bañas said if there have been grounds to include the live-in partner as a suspect, she should have been tagged as one.

“If none, wala na tayong magagawa. Si Fernandez lang ang suspek,” he said.

Nonetheless, the PRO-7 director said they will still face the issue to prevent the public from thinking that the police are protecting someone in the said case.

“Let us satisfy their doubts,” said Bañas. — /NSA (FREEMAN)