Cops now has name of student ‘killer’

CEBU, Philippines — Talisay City, Cebu police already have a suspect in Friday morning’s shooting to death of a 14-year-old girl who was studying inside their home in Barangay Consojong.

This, as the Department of Education (DepEd) urged local authorities yesterday and the community to be united against violence and ensure the safety of all learners.

This came following the senseless death of a 14-year-old student from Talisay City, Cebu recently.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page DepEd expressed its strong condemnation of the killing of the youngster who was just studying in their house when an unidentified person barged inside and shot her.

“The Department of Education (DepEd) strongly condemns the tragic and senseless killing of a 14-year-old student in Talisay City, Cebu, as she was reportedly answering her learning modules at home,” read the DepEd statement.

“We urge the local authorities and the community to come together in solidarity against violence and to ensure the safety of all learners,” it added.

DepEd, led by Vice President Sara Duterte, said it “extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and classmates of the victim during this time of grief”.

“No learner should ever fear for their safety while pursuing education, whether at home or in school,” it said, as it called on the authorities to “swiftly and thoroughly investigate this heinous crime and bring the perpetrator to justice”.

DepEd noted that aside from the learner from Talisay, there were also other incidents of brutal killings of minors, especially girls, in recent years.

DepEd-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez also called on authorities to bring justice to the family of the learner.

Jimenez said, his office will also extend support to the family.

Yesterday, Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 said the suspect, whom he declined to name due to an ongoing hot pursuit operation, is involved in illegal drugs and is close to the victim.

“I was assured by the (Talisay City) Chief of Police nga naay gagukod, naay hot pursuit operations team nga nag-focus para madakpan ang suspect…. Nag-supervise ang PRO-7. Kung mogawas gani siya sa AOR sa Cebu province, naa nay coordination with other police offices” he said.

Pelare said the incident is not alarming, but it is a heinous crime since the victim is a minor, so Talisay City Police will look closely at the fact and circumstances of the incident.

He said it is possible that Talisay City Police would file the case against the suspect since they have already prepared the evidence, while at the same time the hot pursuit operation continues. — Rowena Capistrano (FREEMAN)