Probers eye charges vs suspect’s sister

CEBU, Philippines - Police investigators are looking at possible charges against the sister of the prime suspect in the killing of 17-year-old Karen Kaye Montebon after she was identified to have pawned the valuables stolen from the victim.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, supervisor of Task Force Montebon, said they are now evaluating testimonies of witnesses to establish whether Maria Juvelyn “Ibyang” Fernandez had prior knowledge that the items she pawned were stolen by her brother, Ruben Fernandez.

Ruben was identified as the prime suspect in the killing of Montebon. He was shot dead in Getafe, Bohol two weeks ago by still unidentified gunman few minutes before the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office operatives arrive to arrest him.

Lawas said investigators are now coordinating with a certain “Allan” who received the stolen iPad and wristwatch from house of the Montebons in Lapu-Lapu City.    

Lawas said they will try to get Allan’s testimony for them to establish the timeline when Maria Juvelyn pawned the items and know if she had an idea that the iPad and wristwatch were stolen.

“We will get affidavits from him kay very essential iyang information. Also if not of him, di nato ma-trace kini nga gadgets,” said Lawas.

According to Lawas, they also wanted to know Maria Juvelyn’s reasons in disposing of the items. Lawas said Juvelyn could be held liable if found out that she had previous knowledge that the items were stolen before pawning them.

 “She can be charged criminally in relation to the death of Montebon for being an accessory to the crime of robbery. Not on the homicide but the robbery,” said Lawas.

He said they also need the affidavit for them to have a strong case against Maria Juvelyn.

NOT YET OFF THE HOOK

Meanwhile, the live-in partner of the prime suspect is not yet absolved of possible liabilities.

Lawas said that Jennalyn Soon could still be included depending on the results of the forensic examinations of the evidence extracted from the crime scene.

“We cannot just conclude without the laboratory results. We cannot pin her down based on our assumptions and speculations, so we are trying to get evidence,” said Lawas. —(FREEMAN)