Lourdes, the mother of slain 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan, sobbed uncontrollably as she views for the last time the remains of her daughter during the teen’s burial Mass on Saturday, March 23, 2019. |CDND Photo/Futch Anthony Inso
CORDOVA, Cebu Philippines — The family of Christine Lee Silawan was in shock when they learned that the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the release of the 17-year-old suspect in her murder on the very day that the 16-year-old 9th grader was laid to rest on Saturday, March 23.
Christine’s aunt, Hermina Silawan Garcia, said they learned about the release of the suspect after the burial of Christine Lee and were shocked and confused at the decision of the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor Office.
“Naglibog na mi. Wa mi kasabot ngano. Ambot na unsa na (We are confused. We don’t understand. What is happening), said Garcia.
The suspect was freed at noon on Saturday, March 23, 2019, after the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office found legal lapses in the arrest of the suspect.
READ MORE: Suspect in the Christine Silawan murder released
Garcia said that they will continue to monitor the progress of the case, stressing that they still trust that the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation will find the other suspects in Christine’s murder.
In his eulogy during Christine’s funeral Mass on Saturday, March 23, the 16-year-old’s grandfather Suylo Silawan said that the justice will continue to evade the family for as long as the suspects are still at large.
“Hinaot unta nga mosurrender na ang mga naghimo niini og moatubang sa atong kagamhanan. Law is the only way,” he said.
He said that even the restoration of death penalty will not give justice to her granddaughter’s death if the real suspects of the crime are not the ones being punished.
“Bisan pag ibalik ang death penalty, if dili kato masakpan ang mga naghimo ani, wala gihapoy hustisya,” he said.
Christina’s mother, Lourdes, who was very emotional during the burial, refused to talk about the release of the suspect but asked President Rodrigo Duterte to deliver the justice that her daughter deserves.
Christine Lee’s mother has earlier said she was convinced that the person arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) was among those responsible for her daughter’s brutal death and lauded the NBI for filing murder charges against the suspect.
READ MORE: Christine Lee’s mom relieved suspect is arrested but still wished killing didn’t happen
READ MORE: Murder complaint filed against 17-year-old suspect in Christine Silawan killing
“Bakit ginanon (ang pagpatay)? Parang isang hayop. Pakisabi lang sa Presidente, justice lang talaga ang hinihiling ko para sa aking daughter,” she said, addressing Commissioner Greco Belgica of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission.
(Why was she killed in that manner? Like an animal. Please tell the President that all we want is justice for my daughter)
READ MORE: 20 stab wounds, 9 defense wounds found on slain 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan
Lapu-lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said that with recent development of the case, the P2 million bounty for the individuals or agencies that will give a resolution to Christine’s death should be withheld.
READ MORE: Reward for info on Christine’s killers now at P2 million
“I do believe nga wala pa na naresolbar,” said Radaza.
She also said that the reward money is for those who can solve the case and currently and, right now, she added, the investigations are still continuing aside from the fact that the the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutors Office is yet to affirm or dismiss the murder case lodged against the 17-year-old suspect.
“Hopefully everybody will pray nga maresolbar lang og sayo aron mogaan ang gibati nga kasakit sa pamilya,” she said./elb