Families of couple stabbed to death in Davao call for justice

The bereaved families of a couple who were found dead at a condominium in Davao City are calling for justice after an initial theory pointed to suicide.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras," the victims Jeffrey Predas, 29; and Jennifer Chavez, 27, flew from Manila to watch a concert in Davao City. 

Both were found with multiple stab wounds and their necks slashed.

Jeffrey's was believed to have fallen to the ground floor from the sixth floor while Jennifer was found lifeless inside a room on the third floor. 

“Noong una po kasi, ang sabi po nila, is baka suicide ang nangyari, pero after ng autopsy, in-explain samin ng doctor, na hindi ito magagawa ng tao sa sarili niya,” Jeffrey's sister Milky Predas said. 

(They said this might be a suicide case but the doctor told us after the autopsy that a man could not do this to himself.)

“May defense wounds si kuya, so nanlaban talaga siya, si ate may sign na nanlaban din sa kamay niya,” Predas said. 

(My brother had defense wounds and so did his partner.)

Police said they had invited two persons of interest but they were promptly released. 

Among them was one of Jennifer’s close friends who booked the condominium unit for the couple. 

“Kasi sa inisyal na nakuha natin from the Forensic Unit result, wala pa tayong ma-connect na may third party na involved. Baka pinatay nung lalaki yung babae before siya nagpakamatay,” Davao City Police spokesperson Police Captain Hazel Tuazon said.

(Based on our current evidence, we cannot connect a third party here. The man may have killed his partner before killing himself.)

“Hindi tayo pwedeng mag-hold kasi wala pang sakto na kaso naif-file sa kanila. Pag hinold natin sila, kapulisan din natin ang mafa file-an ng kaso…On going pa kasi ang investigation,” Tuazon added. 

(We cannot hold a person without a case.)

The victims' loved ones believe otherwise.

“Sila yung nag-book, so ano intensyon kung ganun? Nung nangyari yung insidente sa room na siya ang nag-book bakit naglaho siya?” Milky said.

(They booked the room, then after the incident they were gone?)

Authorities said they have gathered more evidence on the case. They also said there would be no cover-up on the investigation. 

“May inaantay pa tayong result from the forensic unit na kino-conduct. ‘Yan ang inaantay natin para natin ma-connect dun sa investigation from the Bajada Police Station, with the consent ng pamilya na kunin yung mga cellphones ng mga biktima,” said Tuazon. 

(We’re waiting for the results from the Forensic Unit to connect with the results of the probe at the Bajada Police Station.)

“Sini-siguro po natin na kung magpa-file tayo ng kaso, yun talaga ang suspects… May mga anggulo kaming tinitingnan, hindi lang kami focused sa isang anggulo na crime of passion, may love triangle, may iba pa tayong tinitingnan,” she added.

(We will ensure that if we file the cases, then that would be against the suspects. We’re not only focused on one angle.)

Meanwhile, the victims’ families continue to hope for justice.

“Hindi kasi kami titigil hangga’t hindi nila nakakamtan ang hustisya na dapat para sa kanila,” said Milky. 

(We will not stop until justice is served.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News