DSWD to certify teen in Christine Silawan slay ‘acted with discernment’ —PNP

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is expected to issue a certificate that the 17-year-old suspect in the gruesome killing of 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan "acted with discernment" when the crime was committed.

This was revealed to GMA News Online by PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac in a text message.

Under the Juvenile Justice Act, a child above 15 years but below 18 years of age shall be exempt from criminal liability "unless he/she has acted with discernment."

Silawan was found dead in a vacant lot on March 11.

The teenager, who was naked from the waist-down, had at least 30 stab wounds in different parts of her body.

The crime had been called an "act of pure evil" as a large part of her face was skinned while her tongue, trachea, and esophagus were missing.

The underaged suspect, who is believed to be the victim's ex-boyrfriend, was arrested by NBI-Region 7 agents last weekend. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News