Silawan murder Cops, NBI leave fate of case to prosecutors

CEBU, Philippines — Both the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 are leaving the fate of the Silawan case to the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Christine Lee Silawan, a 16-year-old grade 9 student of Maribago National High School, was found dead in a vacant lot at Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11, 2019.

Based on her autopsy report, she died between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. of March 10.

PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas, together with his men, visited NBI-7 Director Tomas Enrile at his office yesterday at around 11 a.m.

Sinas, after the meeting with Enrile, said they were at the NBI-7 office to inform the latter of the National Youth Day and to compare notes on the Silawan case.

Earlier, the police filed a murder complaint before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office against Renato Llenes, 42, who was arrested for illegal possession of firearm and a violation of Comelec gun ban.

Eventually, Llenes admitted the killing of Silawan through an extra-judicial confession assisted by counsel.

He alleged the 17-year-old ex-boyfriend of Silawan sued before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office has nothing to do with the killing of the girl.

The NBI-7 filed a complaint of murder in relation to cybercrime law against the 17-year-old ex-boyfriend based on circumstantial evidence prior to the confession of Llenes.

Sinas and Enrile said they will leave the case to the hands of the panel of prosecutors, who handled the complaints.

“It’s up to the prosecutors’ evaluation and appreciation of the evidence,” both officers said.

Enrile said the NBI-7 will help in monitoring, to have a successful event. — GAN (FREEMAN)