TACLOBAN CITY — Police have filed murder and frustrated murder charges against a soldier tagged as the suspect in a shooting incident in Catarman, Northern Samar that left a young engineer dead and her brother wounded.
The Philippine National Police in Catarman, Northern Samar said the Catarman Municipal Police Station lodged the complaints before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor following the completion of its investigation into the shooting that occurred in Barangay Dalakit.
The suspect was identified as Sgt. Jerome Lluz Tejero, an active member of the Philippine Army.
Killed in the incident was Karen Grace Corsino Del Valle, 25, a civil engineer assigned at the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office. She sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.
Her brother, Kent John Corsino, 23, was also shot but survived the attack.
The Northern Samar Police Provincial Office said the filing of the case came after investigators established sufficient evidence linking the suspect to the shooting, which authorities said occurred in Barangay Dalakit and triggered a manhunt operation.
Meanwhile, officials have offered a cash reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
Sec. Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and former Northern Samar first district representative Paul Daza have each pledged P100,000, bringing the total reward to P200,000 for credible and actionable information on the suspect’s whereabouts.
Police said the reward aims to encourage individuals who may have reliable information to assist authorities in the immediate arrest of the suspect.
Authorities also assured the public that any information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality to ensure the safety and anonymity of informants.
The provincial police office said it remains committed to exhausting all lawful means to locate and arrest the suspect and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
