Prosecutor orders release of 17-yr-old suspect in Silawan slay

The 17-year-old suspect in the gruesome killing of Christine Silawan was ordered released from detention by the prosecutor's office, GMA News' Bam Alegre reported Saturday on Super Radyo dzBB.

The development came shortly after the victim was buried.

The teenage suspect, who is believed to be the victim's ex-boyfriend, was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 7 agents last weekend and was turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Citing the suspect's lawyer, the report on Saturday said his release order was issued in light of conditions that did not justify his "warrantless arrest" in a hot pursuit operation.

The Cebuana teen's family has been demanding justice since her mutilated body was found dead in a vacant lot on March 11.

Her killing had been called an "act of pure evil" as a large part of her face was skinned while her tongue, trachea, and esophagus were missing.

She was also naked from the waist-down, and had at least 30 stab wounds in different parts of her body. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News