PNP, NBI probe on Silawan killing conflicting — PAO

MANILA, Philippines — There seems to be a conflict in the investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the killing of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan in Cebu, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) said yesterday.

PAO forensics chief Erwin Erfe said based on the reports and pictures that he has seen, there seem to be differences in the initial results of the investigations being done by the NBI and the PNP.

The PNP was first to arrive at the crime scene and conducted its investigation, and has two witnesses in its custody, including a mute person, but Erfe said he was surprised when the NBI was first to file the case.

“We think there may be a conflict (with the PNP) or something is lacking in the case that was filed,” he said.

The NBI reportedly filed a murder case against a 17-year-old boy, who is a suspect in the death of Silawan based on footage of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) and exchange of conversation on Facebook.

“With the NBI, based on what I have read, it is based on circumstantial evidence. We want to strengthen the case… (The NBI) used digital footprint as their evidence and that is good because it gives us an idea on who could be the possible suspect in the case. We appreciate that,” Erfe said.

“But we also saw the evidence of the police and I think they are on the right track in their investigation,” he added.

At present, Erfe said he could only base his analysis on the information from the PNP and NBI since he has not yet personally conducted an autopsy on the victim’s body. They have not yet asked the victim’s family’s permission.

The victim went missing on March 10 in Cebu and her body was found the following day.

Erfe is hoping that the PAO’s forensics team could come out with the findings of their own soon.

Meanwhile, PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said since they would be providing legal assistance to the Silawan family, they could no longer represent any of the suspects in the case.

“It cannot be that the victim and the suspect would have the same lawyer… It’s first come, first serve,” Acosta said.

The Silawan family sought the PAO’s assistance last Thursday.