• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The investigation into the death of Pearl Joy Galve, whose decomposing body was found inside a sugarcane field in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, took a twist after her stepfather, Rene John Nasis, during the investigation admitted to molesting her when she was still 12 years old, according to NBI Bacolod chief Atty. Manuel Fayre.
However, Nasis denied having anything to do with the death of his step daughter, Fayre said.
Nasis, an informant of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, went yesterday to the NBI office in Bacolod City, after he was issued a subpoena. He was accompanied by CIDG personnel.
Galve, a 15-year-old student of Sum-ag National High School in Bacolod City, was found dead on August 14, after she was reported missing on July 29.
Based on the autopsy results, the minor was reported by the La Carlota City police to have been beaten and strangled.
Fayre said he is not inclined to believe that Nasis, who is not cooperating in their investigation, is innocent of the death of Galve, noting his behavior and the inconsistencies of his issued statements.
Asked why he is not cooperating with them, despite several conditions that were presented to him, including an offer to be a state witness, just to solve the murder, Fayre said Nasis is probably willing to take a risk.
“We are not dealing with an ordinary criminal, but a hardened criminal,” the NBI Bacolod chief said, stressing also that Nasis has previously been convicted, and served his prison term at the Bureau of Corrections.
With no case filed against him yet, Nasis is free to go, while the CIDG doesn’t want him also, Fayre said.
Nasis surfaced at the CIDG Bacolod Field Office, a week after the discovery of the decomposing body of Galve, to deny insinuations that he was involved in the death of his stepfather.
Given the admission of Nasis of molesting his step daughter when she was 12-years-old, Fayre said they will press charges against him for violation of RA 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children.*
