Cops eye another lead in Montebon slay

CEBU, Philippines - Investigators are now considering the possibility that the sister of the prime suspect in the killing of 17-year-old Karen Kaye Montebon may be involved in the crime after the two other items, which were stolen from the girl’s house, were recovered yesterday.

The iPad owned by Karen and the wristwatch owned by her father, James, were turned over yesterday afternoon to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 by a certain “Allan.”

Superintendent Fermin Armendares, deputy chief of the CIDG-7, said their confidential informant received information that the missing items from Montebon’s house were pawned to Allan.

With this, Armendares said the confidential informant connected with Allan, who was also very willing to coordinate with them by giving the items to the police.

Yesterday, the father of Karen Kaye, James, positively identified the items through the iPad’s cover and the wristwatch which he usually uses.

“Mao gyud ni ang original nga cover pagpalit namo. Unya kining relo, sigurado ko nga mao gyud ni siya kay mao man ni akong pirmi suoton. Hinatag man ni sa akong amahan,” said James.

Armendares said Allan told them that Maria Juvelyn “Ibyang” Fernandez, the sister of the prime suspect, Ruben Fernandez, was the one who pawned the items to him.

With this, Armendares said Maria Juvelyn will possibly be slapped with appropriate charges since she will be considered as accessory to the crime.

But Armendares said they will have to get first the background of Allan. He said they have already invited him to appear at their office today.

Armendares said they will also ask Maria Juvelyn who she was with when she pawned the items.

“So kining welcome development, mao ni siya ang lead nato para ma-identify nato ang other suspects,” said Armendares.

He further said Ruben’s live-in partner, Jennalyn Soon, is still not off the hook since they have yet to receive the results of the strands of hair extracted from the crime scene and were submitted for forensic examination.

“Kung mo-jive ang buhok atong live-in partner (Soon), we might as well charge the live-in partner as principal (of the crime),” said Armendares.

Meanwhile, the father of the slain student expressed his gratitude to the police for not stopping their investigation even when the prime suspect was already dead.

Ruben Fernandez was shot dead more than two weeks ago in Getafe town, Bohol. Police are still investigating his death.

James said they wanted to retrieve the iPad of their daughter, Karen, since this contains many pictures of the victim.

“Dako kaayo ni’g bili niya kay mao man ni iyang paborito nga butang. Gikan sa eskwelahan kuha dayon siya ana,” said James.

Armendares said they will also try to open the iPad to see if the suspect might have used it in taking pictures with other persons who could give them a lead.

“Posibleng dunay information nga ma-generate nato out of examining,” said Armendares.  (FREEMAN)