PNP on standby for the rearrest of Silawan slay main suspect

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it is ready to act on the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rearrest the main suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Christine Silawan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

"The PNP is on standby and ready to act as soon as the Court grants the motion filed by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) or if the court issues a warrant of arrest," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Bernard Banac told GMA News Online.

The 17-year-old ex-boyfriend of Silawan was tagged as the main perpetrator in the brutal killing of the Cebuana teenager. He was arrested on March 16 in Lapu-Lapu City.

However, the prosecutor ordered the suspect's release after NBI agents had failed to justify the warrantless arrest against the minor.

NBI agents in Central Visayas said they would ask the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office to reconsider its ruling.

On Tuesday, the Chief Executive bared that he had called the prosecutor handling the case to reverse his decision.

“‘Yung nakapatay sa bata ni-release upon orders of the prosecutor. Tinawagan ko siya pagka-umaga... Sabi ko i-recall mo ‘yang order ninyo of dismissal and have the guy rearrested kasi piskal ako, piskal ka,” Duterte said during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Silawan's bereaved family has been demanding justice since her mutilated body was found in a vacant lot on March 11. 

The victim was laid to rest last March 23. —KG, GMA News