THE two suspects in the murder of Rhea Mae Tocmo had their DNA collected in order to determine whether or not they were responsible for the gruesome act.
The swab samples of Simeon Gabutero and Roberto Gabison, alias Intsik, will be matched with those taken by the Philippine National Police Forensic Unit 7 from Rhea Mae’s body, according to Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson for Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
The outcome of the DNA test will show if they had a hand in the killing of 19-year-old Tocmo.
Both Gabison and Gabutero denied involvement in the death of Tocmo, whose body was found inside a cardboard box dumped along the roadside in Sitio Mohon, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City last July 17, 2023.
Beyond question
“Ang forensics man gud would confirm katong mga pieces of evidence nga nakuha na sa una. Ang scientific evidence is beyond question. Once proven nga naa kay DNA didto sa crime scene it’s very difficult to refute,” Pelare said.
(The forensics will confirm the pieces of evidence that have been obtained. The scientific evidence is beyond question. Once proven that you have DNA at the crime scene, it’s very difficult to refute).
In a recent interview with radio dyHP, Gabutero said he was willing to take a polygraph test to prove that he did not fabricate the fact that Gabison was the one who instructed him to sell Tocmo’s cell phone in Cebu City’s downtown area.
Gabison vehemently denied the accusation.
General Aberin is closely monitoring the progress of Tocmo’s case, which the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is handling.
Pelare said they gave investigators from the CCPO enough time to gather more evidence for the filing of charges.
The police urged the public, especially those who have information about the killing of Tocmo, to come forward.
Tocmo, who was a resident of Davao de Oro, rented a space in Mandaue City, Cebu. She was reportedly buried on Monday morning, July 31. (AYB, TPT)