Ashley Abad's boyfriend charged with homicide – Abad family

The Cebu City Police had charged the boyfriend of Ashley Abad, the 19-year-old girl who died of drug overdose at the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, with homicide, Abad's family revealed on Saturday.

Ashley's uncle Benny Abad, added that Cebu City Police Director Senior Supt. Royina Garma had filed the case against the boyfriend, Nel Spencer Tiu.

"While there are still no words to describe our pain, but today is no longer about us. Today marks the beginning of our fight for justice not only for Ashley's death, but also for the youth who may fell prey to drugs, betrayal and deception," the Abad family said in a statement.

The Abads went on to say that they trusted the justice system would hold Tiu and his cohorts accountable for their actions, while also calling on the latter not to use wealth and influence.

"Nel Spencer Tiu, we say this to you: We will bravely stay and fight, and guard the legal process ferociously, even with our lives, until justice is truly served," the Abad statement read.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte had commented on the matter, after he declared that Ashley, a medical student, did not get the party drug ecstasy from Tiu.

According to Duterte, Ashley was in possession of the party drug and was even texting a friend so they could each take a half while reserving one for the boyfriend.

Tiu has also denied that he gave Ashley the party drug.

Benny Abad described Ashley as "sweet" and "God-fearing," and the family did not believe that she was into drugs. — DVM, GMA News