P200K reward up for info on suspect in DPWH engineer’s death

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and former congressman Paul Daza have offered a combined P200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in the killing of engineer Karen Corsino Del Valle in Northern Samar.

“The (DPWH) family mourns and condemns the fatal shooting of our colleague, (Del Valle) of the DPWH Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office,” the agency said in a statement.

“Secretary Vince Dizon and Former Congressman Paul Daza each offered ₱100,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect, Sgt. Jerome Lluz Tejero,” it added.

The DPWH said it stands in solidarity with Del Valle’s family, is urging authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation, and expressed hope for the speedy recovery of her brother, who was injured and remains in critical condition.

Del Valle, a 25-year-old civil engineer, was shot dead in Catarman, Northern Samar, on the morning of March 2, just as she and her brother, Kent John Corsino, were about to park their motorcycle in front of the Catarman Regional Trial Court in Barangay Dalakit.

Del Valle sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, while her brother was wounded in the incident.

A manhunt was launched after the suspect allegedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, with checkpoints set up in Catarman and nearby areas to aid in his capture.

The Philippine Army earlier condemned the shooting as the suspect, Tejero, is an active member of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division assigned in Samar and reportedly Del Valle’s former live-in partner.

Initial reports said the shooting took place on a day the siblings were to attend a court hearing on a Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) case Del Valle had filed against Tejero.

“The Philippine Army does not tolerate criminal acts committed by its personnel under any circumstance," the Army's 8th Infantry Division said in a statement on March 3.

"Such actions are a direct affront to the core values of honor, service, and patriotism that every soldier is sworn to uphold,” it added. 

The Army said it is fully cooperating with the PNP in the conduct of the investigation and in the immediate apprehension of the suspect.—MCG, GMA Integrated News