Kin, friends seek justice as Cebuana teen Christine Silawan set to be buried

Relatives and friends of Cebuana teen Christine Silawan called for justice on Saturday, the day of her funeral.

Streamers with messages calling for justice were draped across vehicles which were part of the funeral convoy in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Christine Lee Silawan, the 16-year-old who was murdered and skinned brutally, will be buried today in Cordova, Cebu @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Nls8V9fqJJ

— Bam Alegre (@BamAlegre_) March 23, 2019

The coffin bearing Silawan's body was first brought to the Sto. Niño de Cebu-Mactan Parish on Saturday morning before the funeral at the Cattleya Memorial Park in Cordova, according to a report on GMA News' Balitanghali by Bam Alegre.

According to Greggy Magdadaro of RGMA Cebu, Silawan was buried past 2 p.m.

Dalagitang si Christine Silawan na pinatay at binalatan pa ang mukha sa Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, inilibing na. | via Greggy Magdadaro, RGMA Cebu

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 23, 2019

Silawan, 16, was found dead on March 11 in a vacant lot in Lapu-Lapu City, her throat slit and with several stab wounds in her body. Her face was also skinned off.

The suspect, the 17-year-old ex-boyfriend of the victim, was arrested in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on March 16. 

According to the television report, Central Visayas police head Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas said they continue to work closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 7 to bring swift justice for Silawan's death.

The report said this has become a three-party effort as the the two agencies are coordinating with the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) which has offered legal assistance to the victim's family. — with Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News