Davao police to file double murder cases vs 6 persons in Predas-Chavez case

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 July)—The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will finally file double murder cases against six persons of interest (POIs), whose identities investigators uncovered through witnesses, for the killing last April of Jennifer Chavez and her boyfriend, Jeff Predas.

Capt. Hazel Tuazon, DCPO spokesperson, confirmed to reporters Thursday morning that the Predas-Chavez case will be filed in the regional trial court next Wednesday, July 31.

“Gipaningkamotan gyud nga ma-file sa Bajada Police Station ang kaso sa korte (The Bajada Police Station is keen on filing cases against the POIs to the court),” Tuazon said in a press conference streamed via Facebook Live, Wednesday morning.

Predas and Chavez were found dead inside Camella Northpoint Condominium in Bajada here last April 21.

Predas was found dead lying on the ground level with stab wounds, apparently after falling from an unidentified floor of the building. Hours later, Chavez was discovered dead in the condo unit where they were staying.

The DCPO also reported that Predas sustained nine stab wounds in his body, while Chavez was wounded with multiple cuts.

Tuazon said the POIs are still free to roam around as it will be the court who will decide if they should be detained once the case has been filed.

Earlier investigation revealed that the couple flew in from Manila to attend a concert of the American rock band “We The Kings” in a shopping mall in Lanang here, but were allegedly killed possibly due to “crime of passion.”

But DCPO investigators failed to obtain video footage since there was no functional CCTV inside the condominium.

Tuazon said the police gathered testimonies from condominium residents so they could get the identities of the suspects.

DCPO said they will also recommend to the city government to file a case against Camella Northpoint Condominium Davao as it has not complied with the city’s CCTV ordinance.

Under the CCTV ordinance, establishment owners are required to install upgraded CCTV cameras when renewing their business permits. A fine of P5,000 and closure order await non-compliant establishments. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)