MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are investigating five people who could have a hand in the rape, slay, and torching of 21-year-old bank teller Mabel Cama near her house in Pasig City.
Among the five “persons of interest” is the first witness, who gave inconsistent statements about the crime, according to Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District.
“Mukhang hindi nagsasabi ng totoo [It seems that he (first witness) is not telling the truth],” Sapitula said. The police officer, however, refused to identify the said witness and the four other individuals who “remain under watch.”
“Nanganglap pa kami ng ebidensya, mga testimony, na p’wedeng makatulong sa agarang solusyon nito [We are still gathering evidence and testimonies that can help fast-track the resolution of the case],” Sapitula said.
He believes that the perpetrators are insiders, staying at the compound where Calma also resided.
“Ang aming investigation is confined sa loob ng compound na ito kasi alam mo well-secured ito eh, may guwardya eh, alangan na galing pa sa labas ‘yong gagawa ng krimen ibig sabihin andito lang sa loob,” said Sapitula.
[Our investigation is confined within this compound because this is a well-secured place, there’s a security guard and it’s not possible that those who did the crime were outsiders.]
Calma’s remains were found Sunday afternoon in an abandoned barracks about 100 meters away from her residence in a private compound on Ortigas Avenue Extension in Barangay Rosario.
Her body was half-naked and had burn marks from the waist down. The victim’s underwear and shorts were found on the ground beside Calma.
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