Police can’t open iPhone, gadgets of slain lawyer

MANDAUE city police are still trying to look for clues in computer gadgets of slain lawyer Amelie Alegre, whose ambush remains unsolved after almost two months.

Her iPhone, iPad tablet and laptop were turned over to the PNP  Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) as evidence but local police can’t unlock the contents without her password.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., police chief, said they need to hire an Information Technology (IT) specialist or ask the help of experts in Camp Crame to open the gadgets.

He said Alegre’s law firm partner Briccio Joseph Boholst also tried a couple of times to open the computer programs but failed.

If all else fails, Natu-el said police would turn over the gadgets to Boholst for good.

“We will just be sending the gadgets to Boholst until such time ma-open to niya (he could open it),” he said.

Asked about the disappointment expressed by Alegre’s mother, Marieta Ocañada, that the police inquiry was slow with no concrete results and that she never received an update from them, Natu-el refused to comment.

Last Monday, Natu-el  held a case conference with other police units and  said they already identified a “possible” mastermind but he held back details to avoid preempting the investigation.

He said he wouldn’t mind if it would take weeks, months or years to solve the case as long as they have complete information to support the murder case they will file against the suspect.

The Criminal  Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7)  is working with the Mandaue police in identifying the assailants.