Cops: No evidence yet vs female suspect

CEBU, Philippines - The Special Investigation Task Group looking into the killing of 17-year-old student Karen Kaye Montebon is still looking for evidence that links secondary suspect Jenalyn Soon to the crime.

Lapu-Lapu City acting police chief, Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, is not discounting Soon as a possible suspect because she can "either be an accomplice or accessory to the crime." But he was quick to point out that Soon, 23, can only be pursued if there are proofs to her involvement in the murder.

"Yes, of course, (she may be a suspect), but only when there are evidences on the side. This is for the purpose of justice. The ultimate goal here is justice," Radoc told reporters.

Even then, Radoc clarified they are not re-opening the case.

"If we say re-investigation, would that mean we would start from the very beginning? Is that how we look at it? It's not re-investigation. We are trying to gather evidences if there was really participation from the part of Jenalyn. If there is, in what level?" Radoc said.

Radoc said they cannot easily file a case against Jenalyn unless there are strong proofs linking her to the case, aside from her being the live-in partner of the primary suspect Ruben Fernandez.

"Dili nato pwede siya makiha just for the satisfaction of the public," he said, adding that they are still waiting for the results of examination of hair strands and nail cuts found in the crime scene.

"So far, wala pa. We are waiting for the results of the crime or forensic examination that may stand as evidence that Jenalyn is also a suspect," Radoc said.

Thelma Chiong, president of the Crusade Against Violence, earlier expressed that Soon, as Fernandez' partner, may have participation to the robbery-slay of the college student.

Chiong questioned the quick closure of the case following the death of Fernandez in a shooting in Bohol.

Radoc invited Chiong to yesterday's final case conference with SITG, but she was not available.

"We cannot do it in a hasty manner. I was asked from the very start of the investigation whether I was pressured. I said no. I have been in this job for 30 years. Makaingon ko nga I'm confident that I know my job," Radoc said.

Soon is currently in Barangay San Vicente, Olango Island after she was released from police custody on September 23 but Radoc assured that she can be called anytime for questioning.

Montebon was found dead inside her room in Corinthian's Subdivision, Sitio Suba-Masulog, Barangay Basak around 5 p.m. on September 15.

After a week, Fernandez, 23, a reported notorious thief from Barangay San Vicente, Olango Island, was shot dead in Barangay Nasingin, Getafe town in Bohol by unidentified man past on September 22. —  Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)