Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Offers PHP500,000 Reward for Arrest of 17-year-old College Student’s Killer

Lapu-Lapu City (PNA) — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza Thursday offered a cash reward of PHP500,000 for the arrest of the killer or killers of a 17-year-old accountancy student in a subdivision in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

As this developed, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) said they have identified the killer of Karen Kaye Montebon, a first year accountancy student of the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City.

”We have a suspect,” said Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, LLCPO chief.

Radoc said the identity was relayed to them by an informant through a text message.

Radoc refused to give further details, but said they are conducting hot pursuit operations to trace the suspect.

Montebon was found by her father lying dead on the floor with a cord of a hair straightener tied around her neck past 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Mayor Radaza earlier called on the police to arrest Montebon’s killer as soon as possible.

“As a mother, I can imagine the painful loss. Let us not allow her death to be in vain. I join all in seeking justice and in demanding for quick but clear answers,” Radaza said.

Radaza also called on the witnesses to cooperate with the police investigation on the case.

“I call on witnesses to please cooperate. As a people, let us unite to quickly find Karen’s killers and bring them to justice,” she said.

Montebon’s death caused an uproar in social media and was condemned by USC officials.

USC students Thursday wore black armbands to protest the killing of their fellow student and to seek justice for Montebon. (PNA) CTB/EB/EDS