Thursday, April 26, 2007 Evidences in Campbell slay sent to PNP for forensic test
ALL pieces of evidence in the killing of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell have already been forwarded to the PNP Crime Laboratory for forensic examination.
Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, said that an examination of these evidences would help determine if there was a link between suspect Juan Dontugan and the Campbell slay.
This came, after he admitted that there was no direct evidence yet linking Dontugan, the primary suspect, to the killing, although he added that more witnesses have already came out into the open to give their testimonies.
Among the items submitted include the victim’s digital camera, some coins, a pair of eyeglasses, a pair of jeans, a crowbar and a bloodstained club used as a rice pounder, which was reportedly recovered from Dontugan’s residence.
Gonzales could not ascertain how long would it take the PNP Crime Lab to complete the forensic examination, but he said that the conduct of a DNA test on the bloodstained items would take at least three weeks.
He also admitted that US officials have made calls for the immediate resolution of Campbell’s case.
"They want the case to be resolved as soon as possible, much as we do," he told reporters in an interview.
Gonzales, meanwhile, urged Dontugan to come out from hiding and prove his innocence.
"If he is really innocent, he should come out and clear his name, otherwise we have no recourse but to follow up on him," he added.
While the police identified Dontugan as the primary suspect, Gonzales said they could not yet file charges against him, until there is strong evidence directly linking the suspect to the killing.
"We could not just file charges against him as we are yet to gather enough evidence," he said. (JC)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo.
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