Bloodstains match with Christine’s DNA

CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has confirmed that the DNA of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan matched with the bloodstains found on the shirt and the ball cap of the victim’s 17-year-old former lover.

NBI-7 Regional Director Tomas Enrile said the swab samples taken from the parents of Silawan last March 13 matched with the traces of blood on the clothes allegedly worn by the suspected child in conflict with the law.

Enrile said the DNA result strengthened the criminal complaint for murder that the NBI-7 earlier filed against the former boyfriend of Silawan.

“Napakalakas na ebidnesya nito (this is a very strong evidence), this will speak for itself na yung participation ng suspek ay nandiyan (of the suspect’s participation to the crime),” Enrile said.

Enrile has offered the minor the possibility to become a state witness if he cooperates and reveal the names of his cohorts.

“We want to offer the suspect na mag-disclose, we will study your admission kung up to what extent. Kung you will qualify, least guilty, least participation, to become state witness,” he said.

Enrile, however, said this will be up to the defense lawyer to decide their next move.

But defense lawyer Vincent Isles said the DNA result is not admissible as evidence in court because the bloodstain allegedly found on the clothing of his client was illegally obtained.

 Isles said there was no valid search warrant when these were obtained by the agents of NBI-7.

“There was no valid search warrant,” he said.

He explained that what the NBI-7 applied for was a warrant to search under Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and not under Rule 126 of the Rules of Court.

According to him, the warrant granted by the court to the NBI-7 was only limited to electronic gadgets and computer data.

In fact, Isles said this was the reason why the Lapu-lapu City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of his client.

Probe Continues

Enrile said the NBI-7 is still pursuing the investigation despite having filed the case already against Silawan’s former lover.

"On going, di pa namin sinasara ang kaso. As to the involvement of other suspects on going. May mga pangalan na pero mahirap ang case buildup lalo na when we only rely to the testimonies of the witnesses, alam mo naman yung mga reaction ng mga testigo madalas reluctant sila uncooperative. Yan ang problema (the case is not yet closed. We already have the names of the other suspects but building up the case is very difficult because we only rely on the testimonies of witnesses who are mosly reluctant and uncooperative)," he said.

Enrile said that they are also looking at other possible motives aside from crime of passion.

Silawan was found dead on March 11 in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City with her face skinned to the bone. Her esophagus, trachea and tongue were hulled out. She also suffered at least 20 stabbed wounds.  FPL (FREEMAN)