Bianca Lee evidence ‘fake’, NBI willing to accommodate reclusive witness
Reah Mae Tocmo, 19. | Contributed Photo via Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The alleged evidence that witness ‘Bianca Lee’ claims to show what really happened to murder victim Reah Mae Tocmo was said to be fake.
A copy of the video was obtained by Cebu-based radio station dyHP, which the station also shared on Monday, September 11.
READ: Reah Mae Tocmo update: Murder victim seen arguing with man a day before she was found dead
Meanwhile, NBI-7 said it is ready to accommodate ‘Bianca Lee’ if she decides to turn over the alleged pieces of evidence she has on the killing of Reah Mae Tocmo.
Newly-appointed NBI-7 regional director Attorney Patricio Bernales, during a press conference at the agency’s office on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, said that whatever evidence they will receive will be forwarded to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office which is now handling the case.
“As of the moment, the case is now with the Prosecutor’s Office, siguro maybe wa pa ta kahibalo, unsay ilang gibuhat didto. Pero kung duna miy makuha pa nga ebidensya, nga maayo nga ebidensya, amo iforward,” he stated.
Gabutero, younger brother charged with murder
It can be recalled that police at the Labangon Police Station filed murder charges against Simeon Gabutero Jr. and his 15-year-old brother on August 18, 2023.
Gabutero confessed to killing 19-year-old Reah Mae because of jealousy inside his boarding house on July 16, 2023, while his younger brother admitted to being the back rider who helped dispose of the box that contained Reah Mae Tocmo’s body.
Gabutero is now detained at the Cebu City Jail where he was transferred on September 5.
However, on August 31, 2023, a woman who goes by the alias “Bianca Lee” made claims on a radio show that she had screenshots of messages and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of what she claimed were the events that transpired on the day that the box was left by the side of the road in Barangay Tisa.
Lee has yet to turn over the alleged pieces of evidence to the authorities, claiming that she was scared for her safety and that she did not trust the police.
Bernales advised the alleged witness to trust that they could provide her with enough security to ensure that justice was accorded to Reah Mae Tocmo.
Trust the police
“First things first, I would like to debunk her. Dili na pwedeng dili ka mosalig. Ang pulis gatrabaho na para sa ato. Wala man na nagtrabaho para sa ilang kaugalingon, para na sa ato. So walaa na ninyo nga di mosalig sa pulis. Pareha ra nang pulis ug kami. Walay diperensya na,” he said.
However, Bernales said that if Lee would find it easier to approach the NBI-7 instead of the police, they are willing to accommodate her.
“Pero kung komportable siya moanhi sa amo, among dawaton. For interview and case-buildup og unsay naa sa iya,” he said.
Bernales added that the victim’s family has already sent a letter to their office asking for help in solving the crime, especially after the emergence of the new alleged witness.
Bernales assured that they will be thoroughly looking into the case and the alleged pieces of evidence as they continue to pursue justice and the truth for Reah Mae Tocmo. /rcg
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