Display of suspect's sketch hinders hunt

CEBU, Philippines - The hunt for the men who raped and robbed an 18-year-old call center agent Tuesday dawn in Alinsug Street in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City has temporarily lost its footing after the facial composite, or carthographic sketch, of one of the suspects was surreptitiously taken out from the Mandaue City Police Office and put on view in the crime scene.

The police earlier refused to furnish the print media with copies of the sketches for the reason that the suspects could take flight as soon as they see their faces in the papers.

Authorities later learned that a relative of the victim had taken a copy of one of the sketches with him on his way out of MCPO.

IDMB chief Rex Lomente yesterday said although it is presumed one of the suspects is a neighbor of the victim, the police doubt if he is still in the vicinity.

"Siguro naa lang dyuy eagerness on the part of the victim nga madakpan ang suspect," Lomente said.

Nevertheless, the police aren't giving up despite the momentary drawback. — THE FREEMAN