• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Freya Go, who was found dead at the Reclamation Area of Barangay 12 last week, is facing hurdles in attempts to obtain Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, according to an update from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
BCPO Director PCol. Joeresty Coronica revealed in a press briefing, that out of 26 commercial establishments requested to provide CCTV copies, only four have so far submitted footage to the police.
The Special Investigation Team created by the BCPO is relying on these recordings to link the victim’s final moments before she was discovered on October 22.
“We are entertaining various possible angles, but not yet concrete because we want the CCTV footage that can help identify the perpetrator,” said Coronica.
Coronica has directed the team to intensify their efforts to secure all available footage to aid the ongoing probe.
He explained to the establishment that the forward tracking and backtracking of CCTV takes time.
“We appeal to the requested establishment to please cooperate with our investigators so that we can get valuable evidence to resolve the case,” he appealed.
Despite the city government offering a P100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification, no witnesses have come forward to the police.
Authorities are also still unable to definitively determine the location where Go was killed or the exact manner in which the crime was committed.
Despite the victim being found without lower garments and having semen on her body, Coronica said the conclusion of sexual assault is pending.
This is due to the difference between autopsy and medico-legal findings regarding foreign objects or fluids, which requires further examination.
The city director said the possible case, if no rape occurred, is murder or homicide, otherwise the case is rape with homicide.
“The yardstick for us to be able to file a complaint before the prosecutors office is number one prima facie evidence and number two is reasonable certainty of conviction, if we cannot reach that, we cannot file a case,” he added.
Go was laid to rest last Wednesday, exactly one week after her body was found.
Coronica assured the victim’s family that the BCPO will not cease its efforts until the murder is solved.*
