Tipster’s reward for Karen’s murder case under study
A wristwatch owned by 17-year old murder victim Karen Kaye is worn by Ruben Fernandez in this photo of the slain suspect’s hand presented by Lapu-Lapu City police chief Senior Supt. Armando Radoc. (LAPU-LAPU CITY FACEBOOK PHOTO)
At least 15 people gave police information that helped them track down murder suspect Ruben Fernandez in a remote islet in Getafe, Bohol province where he was gunned down on Tuesday.
But whether or not they can can share in a P500,000 reward offered by the Lapu-Lapu city government depends on a special committee formed by Mayor Paz Radaza.
The list includes informants in Nasingin islet, the suspect’s village in Olango Island, and the owner of the CCTV camera which recorded Fernandez’s arrival by motorbike at the Corinthian
Subdivision where 17-year-old Karen Kaye Mondeno was strangled at home on Sept. 15.
The mayor tasked city legal officer Yuri Benluan to head the committee and come up with criteria for paying out the reward, amid controversy over the circumstances of what police called a “closed case.”
“I will not hesitate not giving the reward if there is no one eligible to receive it,” said the mayor.
Fernandez, a former inmate with a record of theft and robbery , was mysteriously shot dead minutes before the arrival of Lapu-Lapu policemen in Nasingin Islet who came to arrest him. No witnesses have come forward.
His identity came to light only after his live-in partner, Jenalyn Seno, admitted to police a week after the murder that she and Fernandez had visited Karen Kaye at home in the morning of Sept. 15 and then noticed how he showed hours after with a bag of gadgets.
Several stolen articles – Karen’s Portable Play Station, necklace and earrings were later found in Nasingin islet in the house of Fernandez’s sister. Karen’s DSLR camera was recovered in a pawnshop in Lapu-Lapu City, where it had been sold for P7,000 and spent on shabu used by Fernandez and his friends soon after the killing.
Yesterday, police showed a photo of the slain Fernandez wearing Karen’s black wristwatch on his arm.
“After consultation with the city legal office, we have come to a decision that we cannot yet ascertain who will get the reward or if there is any that’s eligible for the reward,” said Mayor Radaza in a statement.
She said she has “to protect the people money and make sure that whoever gets the reward deserves it.”
The committee will include Lapu-Lapu police chief Senior Supt. Armando Radoc, who initially said 15 persons gave helpful information.
Benluan said they could finish the task next week and be ready to release amounts but “its also a possibility that nobody will be given the reward money.”
According to police chief Radoc, the list includes the owner of the CCTV camera in a private establishment which recorded the arrival of Fernandez and his girlfriend on a motorbike at 7:03 a.m. in the Corinthian Subdivision on Sept. 15.
Then the suspect returned alone at 7:45 a.m. and left at 8:15 a.m.
Senior Supt. Radoc earlier said the girlfriend, Soon would not be eligble for the reward money.
He said police see no need to file criminal charges and that he asked Mayor Radaza to instead use the P500,000 bounty for “allowances” for those who helped the police find Fernandez.
Soon was released from police custody on Wednesday without charges and went home to barangay San Vicente in Olango Island.
In an emotional confrontation with the victim’s mother at the police office on Wednesday she expressed regret for bringing her boyfriend to Karen’s house.
“Pasayloa ko (Forgive me),” she said.
The anguished mother, however, said the betrayal of Soon, a close family friend, was too much.
“Gitabangan namo ang inyong pamilya, gipakaon mo, gipasulod mo, unya mao na ang inyong gibuhat namo? Inyo nalang unta gikuha tanan mga butang didto, wala lang unta ninyo hilabti si Karen. (We helped your family, fed you, let you into our life, and this is what you do in return? You should have just taken everything in the house, but spared Karen’s life.)
About ten witnesses, including Soon, issued sworn statements about what they saw or knew, said Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, Supervisor of the Task Group.
This includes Soon’s friend Rabie Flores and a minor nephew who pawned the victim’s DSLR camera.
Police said they were “100 percent sure” Fernandez was the culprit and that the case was closed based on physical and circumstantial evidence.
Asked if the Montebon family plans to file a case against Jenalyn Soon, he said he didn]t see any.
“We don’t see any evidence that would implicate her.”
At first Soon was nervous about her safety in going home and asked for a security escort but later calmed down and no longer insisted.
But Radoc said he instructed the Talima Police Station chief in Olango island to conduct patrols near her residence.
Mayor Radaza agreed that the case was closed.
She said that as a mother to an only daughter, she knew the death of the principal suspect can’t wipe out the pain of Karen’s family.
“For now let us take refuge in the fact that we now know who did it and how it happened. With this I hope we are able to make sense of the painful situation,” said Radaza.
She ask Oponganons to pray that Karen’s family and friends will find closure.