23 witnessess to share reward in Silawan case

CEBU, Philippines — Around 23 witnesses are eyed to receive the reward money raised for the arrest of the suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Limuel Obon told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that there are 18 more secondary witnesses in addition to the five witnesses they have identified earlier.

He said the secondary witnesses helped forming the “airtight” case they have prepared against Renato Llenes, the suspect behind the gruesome murder of Silawan last March 10.

Obon added that rewarding them is a form of gratitude for helping the police investigators in solving the crime.

To recall, Llenes was arrested last April 9 in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City as he was just about to get away.

He was accosted for possession of an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol last Tuesday morning in Lapu-Lapu City.

His arrest later led him to confess in committing the murder.

Obon said that the money to be given will come from the Lapu-Lapu City government which pledged P1 Million and another P100,000 from the Police Regional Office-7 regional advisory council.

He added they are still not sure about the other P500,000 that a retired soldier supposedly pledged to help expedite solving the case.

Obon also said that outgoing Mayor Paz Radaza had told him that the money may be provided after the arraignment of Llenes.

“Ang ingon man pud ni Mayor is after na lang sa arraignment. Kay aron naa closure sa ilang kaso,” Obon said. — GAN (FREEMAN)