Bounty for info on Lapu-Lapu City slay suspects reaches P1.6 M

As efforts to track down the suspects behind the gruesome killing of a 16-year-old girl in Lapu-Lapu City continue, the bounty for any information that would lead to their arrest has increased.

According to a report by James Agustin on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Thursday, the total reward being offered by the local government and other private individuals has already reached P1.6 million from the initial P100,000.

The victim, Christine Silawan, was found dead at a vacant lot in Lapu-Lapu City on Monday with half her face peeled off and 30 stab wounds in different parts of her body. Her tongue was also missing.

According to police, the autopsy report showed no indication that the victim was raped.

The classmates and teachers of Silawan mourned her death.

"Hindi niya deserve ang nangyari sa kaniya. Masakit kasi kaklase ko siya," her classroom seatmate Allyka Alegre said.

"Unexpected talaga 'yung nangyari sa kaniya at napaka-grabe 'yung nangyari. Sinabihan ko 'yung klase ko na bago tayo magsimula ng klase, mag-offer tayo ng dasal para sa kaniyang kaluluwa," Silawan's class adviser Mary Ann Arong added.

The police said they already have a lead on the primary suspect but declined to disclose further details as the investigation is ongoing.

"We're hoping na we can catch him alive, he will not fight with us. We will let him surrender so that he can face the public, the query of the people. How did it happen, why did he do it," said Police Colonel Limuel Obon, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police.

President Rodrigo Duterte has also condemned the brutal killing. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News