Partner of slain woman to face murder raps

AUTHORITIES are preparing to file murder charges against the live-in partner of a woman who was brutally killed last May 2012 and whose body was found in a cemetery in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental.

Police Chief Inspector Norberto Zafra, station commander of Police Station 5 in Macabalan, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the case is set for filing against Charles James Balboa.

Balboa is the prime suspect in the killing of Generosa Savella, 39, a native of Camiguin province and was working as sales representative of Puyat Steel Corporation located in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City.

Savella was earlier reported missing.

Zafra said Balboa’s last whereabouts was in Bukidnon, based on the information gathered from his parents.

“He informed his parents three weeks ago that he will go to Bukidnon,” he said.

Once the case is filed, Zafra said, the court will issue an arrest warrant against the suspect.

Last May 30, Savella’s body was found inside the cemetery in Kinoguitan town, according to Police Senior Inspector Julito Olaco, station commander of Kinoguitan Municipal Police Station.

Olaco said the body was wrapped with a bed sheet and a carpet and was placed inside a sack.

He said the victim’s body had several bruises and stab wounds.

At first, the body was not identified but someone from Kinoguitan who is reportedly a relative of the victim claimed the body and had it buried since it already emitted foul smell, police said.

But the victim’s body was then exhumed after two women who identified themselves as the sisters of Savella went to the police office to claim the body, Olaco said.

The exhumation was made after the vehicle owned by Savella was discovered in San Juan II, Barangay Lapasan the other week.

Responding personnel of the Scene of the Crime Operatives discovered that there was blood at the compartment of the vehicle that caused the bad odor.

Police said there are speculations that the body was placed in the vehicle before it was thrown to Kinoguitan.

Based on police initial investigation, the vehicle was parked near the house of Balboa, and he was the last person who used Savella’s vehicle, according to witnesses. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)