Montebon murder case: Suspect shot dead

CEBU, Philippines – In a surprising twist of events, the primary suspect of the killing of 17-year-old Karen Kaye Montebon was found shot dead yesterday afternoon on a bridge in Barangay Nasingin, an islet in Getafe, Bohol, just minutes before policemen could get him.

Police do not know who did it.

Ruben Fernandez, 23, was found lying facedown in the dirt by policemen from Getafe Police Station and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office past 4 p.m. yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas of Police Regional Office-7 and the supervisor of the Special Investigation Task Group of Montebon’s case told reporters that the personnel from LCPO was about to dock in Nasingin Islet when they heard gunshots.

Around 14 LCPO policemen reportedly went to Getafe, Bohol onboard two pump boats where Senior Inspector Marcelino Mejias of the Getafe Police Station and his men were waiting for their arrival.

“Wala pa sila nakadunggo nakadungog sila ug buto-buto sa area nga mi-last og one to two minutes unya ni-proceed dayon sila didto sa area. Pag-abot nila didto sa taytayan, nakahigda ug nakataob (ang lawas),” Lawas said.

Lawas added the LCPO officers identified Fernandez based on the photo provided by his live-in partner.

Mejias said the distance from where they docked to the place where they found Fernandez dead was about 300 meters.

“Gikan sa among gitindugan (sa pantalan), mga 300 meters away to siya. Pag-abot namo sa area, amo nakit-an naa siya’y samad pinusilan luyo sa iyahang ulo,” Mejias said.

No empty shell was recovered from the crime scene.

Lawas described the area as having many houses, but the residents quickly went inside when the shooting started.

“Daghan ang mga balay didto mura’g Pasil daghan pud og mga tawo,” Lawas said.

Multiple records

LCPO acting police chief Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc said Fernandez is a resident of San Vicente, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City, and has been involved in several theft cases.

“Duna ni siya’y robbery involvement, last niyang gawas sa Lapu-Lapu City Jail last September 2014. Around two to three times ni siya sige og sulod-gawas sa prisohan,” Radoc said, adding that Fernandez was also involved in drugs.

Montebon, an Accountancy student of the University of San Carlos, was found dead in her home in Corinthians Subdivision in Lapu-Lapu City Tuesday last week. Radoc said the motive in the killing appears to be robbery.

He confirmed that Fernandez was the same man identified by a witness inside Corinthians Subdivision riding a black motorcycle with a female companion the day the teenager was killed.

It was found out that the suspect’s female companion was his live-in partner Jenalyn Soon, Montebon’s close friend.

“Siya to ang nanuktok sa door sa balay. Niadto sila didto sa balay sa victim aron mo-check kung naa ba’y gipadala nga kwarta ang igsuon ni Jenalyn nga si Rosalyn (Hummel) nga tua sa Hawaii,” Radoc said.

After Fernandez and Soon left the victim’s house, they went out of the subdivision. Around 8 a.m., Fernandez dropped off Soon in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.

“Gipakanaog sa suspect ang iyahang partner, ug mi-rason nga nahutdan ug gas iyahang motor ug milakaw aron magpagasolina,” Radoc said.

However, the suspect allegedly returned to the house of Montebon and barged into the house to get a few items that would satisfy his “needs”. Police said it is possible the suspect killed Montebon when she fought back. It was her father James who would find her dead around 5 p.m. that same day.

“Natingala na si Jenalyn nga nagdala na ug itom nga shoulder bag ang iyahang partner kato’ng nagkita sila balik pag ala-una sa hapon didto sa Barangay Marigondon,” Radoc said.

Radoc said Fernandez went to Marigondon to buy shabu.

Jenalyn allegedly reported noticing an iPad and DSLR camera inside the bag. Fernandez pawned the camera for P5,000.

He added that after Jenalyn heard the news about Montebon’s death and the missing items she felt guilty.

“Nakonsensiya si Jenalyn, niya mitug-an ni siya sa iyahang igsuon,” Radoc said.

On Monday morning Radoc said he received a call from Rosalyn Hummel who sought his help for Jenalyn. Radoc then alerted the police to coordinate with Jenalyn.

Radoc said that the case will be considered closed, but Lawas said that they will pursue further investigation as there might be other persons involved.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza commended the police for the quick resolution of the case.

“The death of the principal suspect this afternoon, for the killing of Karen Kaye Montebon is a major breakthrough in the case. I thank the police for working very hard to give justice to the senseless killing of a very young Oponganon, Karen Kaye. I thank her classmates, schoolmates, the youth and the Cebuanos in general for making their voices heard by using social media with hashtag #justiceforkarenkayemontebon to push the police to resolve the case quickly.

“The vigilance of the traditional media has also seen to it that the pursuit of the killer didn’t waver. When we unite as a people for a common good it always brings positive results. I await a detailed report from the police to ascertain the case is closed.

As to the reward, Radaza assigned the office of the city attorney to coordinate with the police to make sure the reward will be given to the right person. – /BRP (FREEMAN)