DNA, other tests point to suspect in Cebu teen’s slay

CEBU CITY – All indications point to Renato Llenes as the one who allegedly killed 16-yearold Christine Silawan, the chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7) said Thursday.

The DNA samples obtained from the pair of scissors allegedly used in the crime matched with that of the suspect and the victim, said Police Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, PRO 7 director.

Before Sinas’ announcement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday confirmed that the DNA samples found in the scissors belonged to the suspect and the victim.

“This will bolster our case. The scissors were found in his bag and it was him who admitted that he used it in stabbing and skinning the face of the victim,” said Sinas.

Sinas said the neurology test conducted on Llenes showed indications he was mentally stable and acted with discernment when he admitted the crime.

The polygraph test also showed that Llenes was telling the truth when he owned up the crime.

“While they cannot be used as court evidence, the results of the tests aided us in the investigation. I believe we are in the right path and our evidence can stand trial in court,” said Sinas.

Silawan’s mother Lourdes was expected to meet Albayalde Thursday to discuss the case.

A murder case has been filed against Llenes after he was arrested and confessed that he was the one who brutally killed Christine last March 10 in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.

Lourdes didn’t sign the affidavit as she wanted the police to include her daughter’s former boyfriend in the charge sheet.

“She also wanted to charge the boy with rape. We cannot do that because that will weaken our case since we don’t have evidence against the boy,” said Sinas.

Another case was filed in relation to the gruesome killing.

Christine’s ex-boyfriend was charged with murder in the other case filed by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7).

The boy, who was arrested by NBI 7 last March 16, is currently in the custody of social workers, while Llenes is detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

The two cases have yet to be resolved by the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.

In a separate interview, NBI 7 regional director Tomas Enrile stood firm in their findings that Christine’s ex-boyfriend was involved in the crime.