Crime of Passion?

Banga, Aklan- The Banga Municipal Police Station (MPS) is eyeing the ‘crime of passion’ motive behind the gruesome killing of a 19-year-old girl at Sitio Manga, Barangay Torralba, Banga Aklan, June 9.

Police Captain Benny Jones Mendoza, acting chief of the Banga MPS, told local reporters that they are still awaiting the result of the autopsy to determine whether the victim has been raped. He did not elaborate on why he considered the case a crime of passion.

The victim was identified as Rochelle Ann Rodriguez of Sitio Bonghoe, Torralba, Banga. Based on the initial police investigation, the victim bore nine stab wounds in different parts of her body.

She was found Tuesday morning June 13, by the residents dumped at the creek and is already in a state of decomposition.

“We had already identified two suspects. Based on our initial investigation, the suspects were seen as the last companions of the victim before she went missing. What we only have now is pure circumstantial evidence. We have yet to conduct a thorough investigation of the suspects. In the meantime, we are awaiting the autopsy result,” Mendoza added.

It was gathered that bloodstains and hair strands were found on the shirts of one of the suspects.

Olivia Rodriguez also told local media in a separate interview that she already had an idea who was behind the gruesome killing. She said she was cooperating with the police.

“Last Friday (June 9), she asked permission to leave the house because she would be attending a wake nearby. She has failed to come home ever since,” she said.

“Among her last words, she said to me that this might be the last embrace for me before she goes out,” she added.