Another suspect in the killing of a 19-year-old student during an alleged robbery in Tagum City, Davao del Norte has been arrested.
This suspect is a 15-year-old boy.
Earlier, police arrested two other suspects, also minors, 14 and 17 years old.
The first two were identified with the help of a CCTV footage from a neighbor. The video showed the suspects passing by the victim’s house repeatedly a day before the incident.
The three minor suspects are residents of Maragusan, Davao de Oro.
The remaining suspect, an 18-year-old man and resident of Mati City, Davao Oriental, remains at large.
It was learned that the victim had just returned home from Manila where she was studying.
She was found dead later inside her bedroom with up to 38 stab wounds.
The suspects allegedly carted away several of her belongings, including a laptop, cellphone, tablet, and watch.
“Matud pa sa SOCO, ang cause of death is katong dinunggaban. Thirty-eight stab wounds ang ihap sa atong SOCO nga mao’y hinungdan sa iyang hinanaling kamatayon. Ang focus sa (samad) kay sa tiyan, pero naa pud dapit sa may liog niya,” Tagum City Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. Frederick Deles, said.
The suspects are facing robbery with homicide charges.
CALLS FOR JUSTICE
Meanwhile, several institutions have called for swift justice.
The University of the Philippines (UP), where the victim was studying, condemned the killing and expressed sympathy to the grieving family.
The university also urged authorities to expedite the investigation to ensure the immediate arrest of the suspects and the swift delivery of justice.
The Ateneo de Davao University-Senior High School community where the victim graduated as third honorable mention in 2024 also expressed deep sorrow over her death. The institution likewise joined calls for justice.
The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte assured the public and the victim’s family that justice will be served.
“Atoa gyud ning hatagan og pagtagad nga madakpan ang tanan naghimo niini. Ang kinabuhi nga inyong giputol sayang kaayo ang maong bata naningkamot gayud nga maka-eskwela makagraduate makatabang saiyang ginikanan saiyang pamilya dako kaayo ni nga salaod inyong gihimo,” Governor Edwin Jubahib said.
The governor also issued a message to the remaining suspect who has yet to be arrested and ordered the police to tighten security measures, including stricter enforcement of curfew hours for minors.
“Kinahanglan mobulantaryo kag surrender kay ako mohatag ko og pabuya sa kapulisan di sa nako isulti, para madakop gyud ka,” Jubahib added.
