P2-M bounty in Davantes case explained

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang explained on Friday why President Benigno Aquino III approved the P2 million reward for the capture of the suspects behind the killing of advertising executive Kae Davantes.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said such bounty was offered due to the brutality of Davantes' death taking into consideration the police recommendation.

“Hindi lang basta ninakawan, nagkaroon pa ng pagpatay at ‘yung manner ng pagpaslang sa kanya ay hindi rin ordinary,” said Valte.

“Those are the elements that are present in that case, the President deemed it proper to put a bounty,” she added.

The Philippine National Police initially announced a bounty before Aquino announced his reward offer, Valte said.

The President approved a P2-million reward offer for capture of the suspects a week after Davantes' killing on September 7.

The Department of Justice has filed a case for the special complex crime of robbery and homicide against two of the suspects before the Las Piñas regional trial court after inquest proceedings showed probable cause against them.

In his resolution, investigating prosecutor Omar Cris Casimiro said suspects Reggie Diel and Lloyd Benedict Enriquez “specifically and categorically admitted their participation in robbing and killing Kristelle."