NBI: PAO report won’t affect case
The National Bureau of Investigation - 7 is standing by the medical evidence it submitted in filing the murder case against the 17-year-old suspect in the killing of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan.
This after a forensic expert of the Public Attorney’s Office, Dr. Erwin Erfe, said recently that Silawan was raped before she was killed on March 10, 2019.
The NBI’s evidence – autopsy findings of Dr. Benjamin Lara of the Philippine National Police – said otherwise. NBI-7 Director Tomas Enrile said they will stick by Lara’s findings.
"I find credible sa findings ni Dr. Lara kay presko pa. Kay Dr. Erfe about to be buried na (I find Dr. Lara’s findings credible because she examined the body shortly after crime was committed. Dr. Erfe examined Silawan shortly before she was going to be buried)," Enrile said.
He said it is up to PAO to submit Erfe's findings before the Lapu-Lapu Prosecutor's Office where the complaint against the suspect was filed.
During a press conference on March 13, Lara said Silawan was neither raped nor burnt by acid but he considered possibility that she was bitten by animals.
For his part, however, Erfe said Silawan's body showed markings of a fingertip in her neck, showing signs she may have been strangled and tied. There were also signs she was raped due to the extensive abrasion that made her private part bleed. Erfe also saw lacerations there.
Erfe said evidence also showed that Silawan was killed first before sulfuric acid was thrown at her face and before half of her face was skinned. After that, acid was thrown at her face again.
Another significant finding, Erfe said, were the teeth marks on the girl's bones, which may have been left by dogs, cats or rodents who bit her.
Sought for comment, Lara said he would need to seek clearance from the Police Regional Office - 7 before making a statement.
"I am eager to explain our findings again but given na may clearance (I am eager to explain our findings again as long as there is clearance)," he told The FREEMAN yesterday.
Enrile said that Lara and Erfe can always talk about their findings because they are the ones who can discuss something that's very technical in nature.
The suspect, Silawan's ex-boyfriend, is facing murder charges in relation to cybercrime law. He is under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development in Lapu-Lapu City.
Silawan was found dead at a vacant lot in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11. She was missing her undergarments; skinned to the bone; and her tongue, trachea and esophagus hulled out.