Cebu teen with skinned face was raped, autopsy shows

CEBU CITY - The 16-year-old girl who was found dead with her face skinned had also been raped, an autopsy report revealed Tuesday.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Forensic Team Director Dr. Erwin Erfe said they have found extensive abrasion and hematoma on the victim’s genitalia.

“Ito po ang mga ebidensiya na siya ay pinagsamantalahan,” he said.

(This is evidence she was raped.)

The forensic team also found out during the autopsy that the suspect probably poured an acid to the victim’s face before it was skinned due to the traces of burned skin on her forehead, eyes and neck.

She was also choked and was tied using a 1-centimeter rope due to the ligature marks found on her left wrist and neck.

The forensic team believed that at least three persons were involved in the victim’s death.

PAO Chief Persida Acosta assured the family and the public that they were doing their best to fast track the case.

“Base sa mga developments ay meron po namang probable na maging testimonial evidence [at] not only probable but credible eyewitnesses,” she said.

(Based on developments, there is probable testimonial evidence [and] not only probable but credible eyewitnesses.)

She added that they will be filing cases which will be consonant to the evidence.

Christine Lee Silawan, a Grade 9 student of Maribago National High School, was found dead in a vacant lot in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal on March 11. Her body was mutilated and her face was skinned off.

A 17-year-old was tagged as a suspect, but he had been ordered released by the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor's Office because he was arrested without a warrant.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the re-arrest of the teen suspect.

• Duterte orders re-arrest of suspect behind Cebu teen's slay