Davantes rob-slay case not closed

MANILA, Philippines - The killing of advertising executive Kristelle “Kae” Davantes is not yet closed despite the arrest of five of the six men who admitted participation in the crime, a police official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Christopher Laxa, National Capital Region Police Office deputy director for operation and head of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG), said they are still investigating the case after the Davantes family questioned the robbery angle that led to her death.

“We are not closing the case just yet. As of now, we are convinced that the suspects we arrested were really involved in the killing,” Laxa said.

He said their investigation would focus on possible motives other than robbery.

“We will not stop the investigation and we can file an amended information depending on the new evidence and information we get,” the SITG chief added.

Earlier, the victim’s uncle, Vincent Davantes, said they have questions about some aspects of the attack on his niece, who was snatched in front of their house, robbed and brutally killed on Sept. 7. Her body was dumped under a bridge in Silang, Cavite hours later.

Vincent raised the possibility that the suspects could be using the robbery angle to mislead investigators on the real motive for the killing.

He said while their family is grateful to Task Force Kae and the National Bureau of Investigation for the immediate arrest of the suspects, they have questions that investigators have yet to be answer.

Police earlier said it was a simple case of robbery that got out of hand.

“If this is a simple robbery, why not just grab Kae’s car keys and get away with the car?” Vincent said.

He also asked why a single-edged knife was recovered from Kae’s car when scene of the crime operatives earlier reported that her wounds were inflicted by a double-edged knife.

Laxa said they have yet to discuss the P2.5-million bounty offered for the arrest of Davantes’ killers.

“Our priority is to solve the case. Maybe a board can be formed to determine who is the rightful recipient of the reward money,” Laxa said.