Suspect Llenes recounts how he killed 16-year-old Christine Silawan

Renato Payuban Llenes, 42, (right, seated) a self-confessed suspect in the Christine Lee Silawan killing, is presented to the media by the police at the PRO-7 office in Camp Sergio Osmeña in Cebu City. | Morexette Marie Erram

(Updated) CEBU CITY, Philippines — He had to create a dummy account on Facebook to lure Christine Lee Silawan, but it was disappointment that drove Renato Payupan Llenes to stab and peel off Silawan’s face.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), led by PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde, presented Llenes before members of the media today, April 11, at Camp Sergio Osmeña, which is the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) headquarters, two days after he was arrested in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City on April 9.

The arrest of the suspect was announced by General Albayalde during his visit in Bohol on April 10, and the suspect was presented with the PNP chief present at the PRO-7 office in Cebu City.

Read more: GALLERY: Images of self-confessed suspect in Christine Lee Silawan murder

Llenes, 42, of Lapu-Lapu City told media that he used scissors to stab Silawan, 16, over 30 times on different parts of her body, and to skin off her face. 

He said that he flayed the skin off the face of Silawan so that she could not be identified.

He also admitted that he learned how to flay Silawan’s face and neck through videos posted on social media sites such as Facebook and video-streaming website Youtube. 

Read more: Albayalde: Investigation of Christine Silawan murder case far from over

Llenes also cited the Momo Challenge that lured children to commit several crimes, and even self-harm. 

Llenes said he and Silawan met on Facebook, and used a fake name called CJ Diaz. 

Read more: 20 stab wounds, 9 defense wounds found on slain 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan

“I used a dummy Facebook account to lure Christine. We chatted frequently until we became a couple on Facebook,” said Llenes. 

“We agreed to meet personally for the first time on March 10 at Sacred Heart Parish in Lapu-Lapu City. We fought on our way (to Barangay Bangkal) and that’s when I killed her,” he added.

Read more: Isles: Arrest of new suspect debunks NBI’s claims against Silawan’s ex-boyfriend

He said their fight stemmed when Silawan learned that he was older than she expected, and that he used a fake name to deceive the victim.

He added that he was disappointed that Silawan had a history of sexual intercourse with her past boyfriend. 

“I just learned that she already had a boyfriend, and I got mad,” said Llenes. 

Llenes also admitted on using illegal drugs shortly before committing the crime. 

He said his conscience haunted him after learning the news on Silawan’s death.

“I was haunted by my conscience. I pity the 17-year-old suspect. And I hope he will be released soon,” he said./dbs