Saleslady found dead in Cebu City

A 27-YEAR-OLD mall saleslady was found dead inside her home in Sitio Laguna, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City at around 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

The victim was identified as Charina Relativo, a native of Bulasa, Argao town in Cebu Province.

The victim had burnt hair, believed to have been set on fire by her killer. A butane burner was found near her head.

It appeared that the victim was about to take a bath as she was found with a towel and only in her underwear.

Jungie Enriquez, 33, the victim’s live-in partner and also a mall worker, said he left early that day as he had an opening shift at the mall.

He said he became worried when he noticed that his partner was not online on Facebook by 10 a.m.

He said despite his repeated phone calls, the victim did not answer her phone, prompting him to ask a neighbor to check on their house to see if she was still asleep.

Relativo’s shift was supposed to start at 12 noon until 10 p.m.

Enriquez said when a friend checked their rented house, they found his girlfriend’s naked body with a burnt head, suggesting the perpetrator.

Enriquez said he rushed home upon learning of his partner’s death. He expressed suspicion that the “culprits” were the men who often peeked at her while she was bathing.

He said his partner usually bathe outside their house where there was a faucet because it was comfortable, and it was said she would only wear panties while bathing.

“Niingon na siya nako nga kung maligo siya naay sige’g pang lili niya nya tawgon ko niya nga naay nang lili. Kung akong tan-awon, muhawa dayon. Dili na nako makita pero taga diri ra na sa amoa,” he said.

(She told me that someone always peeked at her when she bathed, and she would call me to tell me someone was peeping. When I checked, they would immediately leave, but I believe they are just from here.)

Enriquez said at around 11 a.m. on Friday, neighbors heard the victim screaming not to be stabbed, which Enriquez believes was her pleading for her life.

The Inayawan police station is continuing their investigation and has already questioned neighbors and potential witnesses who might have seen the perpetrators fleeing the scene.

Police Captain Yves Montejo, deputy station commander of Inayawan police station, said they will deepen their investigation to identify the perpetrators.

There were no visible wounds on the victim’s body, so they will conduct an autopsy to determine if she was raped before being killed.

The police are also reviewing CCTV footage from neighbors that may have captured images of the culprits. / AYB, WBS