Suspect in saleslady’s killing charged

CEBU, Philippines — Three cases were filed against the suspect in the murder of saleslady Charina Relativo, whose lifeless, naked body was found on August 2 in a rented house in Sitio Laguna, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

Last Monday the Philippine National Police charged suspect Darren Tejano Cui with murder, violation of Republic Act 10591 for having a gun, and violation of RA 5467 for arson after the victim’s room was set on fire.

The evidence collected by the police for filing the case includes the suspect's extrajudicial confession, items recovered from the crime scene, and testimony from neighbors who saw the suspect enter and leave the victim's house.

Acting city director Police Colonel Antonietto Cañete of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said that if forensic results confirm the suspect raped Relativo, the charge will be changed from murder to rape with homicide.

“We will just amend the crime of murder into rape with homicide because that is allowed under our revised criminal procedure that whenever there is greater or serious offense discovered after the filing of the case, it can be amended,” said Cañete.

Cañete also ordered the Regional Forensics Unit-7 to retest the remains of Relativo because it was discovered that the test kit used in the initial autopsy had expired. As a result, the initial findings concluded that no rape had taken place.

Police arrested Cui in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City, last August 3. In his extrajudicial confession, Cui said that he intended to rape Relativo but she resisted, which led him to strangle her.

To cover up his crime, the suspect said he tried to set the room on fire, which was why Relativo's hair was burned when police found her.

Cañete also said that Cui tried to set up a certain “Tony” by having him enter the room after he had committed the crime, hoping he would be accused of it.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin ordered investigators to determine if Cui had accomplices.

“We are still conducting a case buildup and evidence gathering on the possibility that there are other personalities involved, but so far this time, wala pa tay makukuha because the people in the area could not pinpoint na may kasama siya…Based on the affidavit, he is the one who is responsible for it, no other person,” said Cañete.  — (FREEMAN)