BAGUIO CITY – Two persons, including a self-confessed killer, were formally charged for murder and violation of the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law before the city prosecutor’s office for their alleged involvement in the brutal murder of a 22-year old lady whose naked body was found in a garage at Alfonso Tabora barangay last August 30, 2022.
Police Col. Glen Lonogan, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), identified the self-confessed killer as Reneval Ponce, 31, and a native of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental while his cohort was only identified as a certain Emenem who is now the subject of a manhunt operation for his immediate arrest.
Initial police investigation that Ponce, together with his companion, allegedly took shabu in the latter’s apartment before the scheduled meet up with the victim in the evening of August 29, 2022.
The body of the victim, Juliet Hesim, was later found dead with duct tape around her mouth and hands, and belt tied on her neck.
An autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was strangulation asphyxiation by ligature.
Search Warrant issued by Judge Cecilia Corazon S. Dulay-Archog of Branch 7, Regional Trial Court on September 5, 2022 resulted to the recovery of pieces of evidence linking the two suspects to their crimes.
PMaj Manuel B Canipas, Jr., Camdas Police Station Commander, has confirmed that Ponce voluntarily surrendered while his live-in partner Salvador accompanied him to clear her name at Camdas Police Station on September 8, 2022, after being linked to Hessim’s death.
In the presence of an attorney of their choice at Baguio City Police Office-Camdas Police Station, Ponce signed his extra-judicial confession on Hesim’s death, stating his participation in the crime.
Probers are still pursuing the investigation to ascertain the real identity of the other culprits involved in the said celebrated case.