Suspect in gruesome slay of Cebuana teen, nabbed in Davao City

The authorities have arrested in Davao City the primary suspect in the gruesome killing of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan.

According to Cyril Chaves of Super Radyo Davao, the suspect was identified as Jonas Bueno.

JUST IN: Primary suspek sa brutal na pagpatay kay Christine Lee Silawan sa Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, arestado sa Davao City at kinilalang si Jonas Bueno. | via Cyril Chaves ng SuperRadyo Davao pic.twitter.com/GcZQyJG2gT

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 15, 2019

Citing information from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Davao, the report said Bueno arrested around 4 p.m on Friday afternoon.

Authorities also arrested Bueno's live in partner during the operation. 

The suspect had reportedly been in Davao City for four days and was working at a construction site in the area.

Bueno denied any involvement in Silawan's killing.

However, authorities say the suspect may have communicated with the victim before the incident.

They are also not discounting Bueno's condition as a "psychological maniac," as well as his alleged involvement with a cult. 

Authorities are looking at at least three motives to the crime. 

They are also investigating two other persons of interest in the killing.

At a press conference after Bueno's arrest, Davao regional police director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales said the suspect was involved in an earlier killing of a woman in Cebu.

"(Bueno) is considered one of the suspects kasi based on the initial investigation, lumulutang 'yung kanyang nickname na ginamit sa pakikipag-converstation niya doon sa victim," Morales said.

Morales said Bueno was spotted with the help of a concerned citizen who said Bueno looked similar to the photo of the suspect she saw on TV.

"After the operation merong nakitang similarity and may naestablish tayong pangalan niya is 'yun ngang nakapangalan doon sa warrant of arrest doon sa kanyang involvement doon sa Cebu," Morales said.

"Sa ngayon, yung pagiging member ng kulto, ay ine-establish namin, and pero before na na-detain na siya sa Cebu City for illegal drugs," he added.

Skin, tongue, throat removed

Silawan's mutilated body was found Monday morning in a vacant lot in Lapu-lapu City.

She had several stab wounds all over her body, a large portion of her face was peeled to the bone.

A medico-legal report also found that her tongue and throat had been removed.

She is also suspected to have been raped as she was naked from the waist down.

A P2-million reward has been put up for the arrest of those behind her killing. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News