AKLAN – The police’s Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is finalizing the case against three identified suspects in the death of a Slovak tourist in Boracay.
According to Brigadier General Jack L. Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), authorities are awaiting DNA examination results from the crime laboratory in Cebu, which could provide scientific confirmation linking the suspects to the crime.
Wanky stated that investigators have gathered substantial evidence but are ensuring the case is airtight before filing formal charges.
“We have a strong case because one of the suspects has given an extrajudicial confession, detailing what happened. He admitted to being at the crime scene and stated that the victim was raped before being killed,” Wanky said.
However, authorities are cautious, as extrajudicial confessions alone are not always reliable.
“There have been cases where suspects recant their confessions, leading to case dismissals. That’s why we are not solely relying on the confession but are verifying it with witness testimonies and forensic evidence,” he added.
Investigators conducted a walkthrough of the crime scene, and findings matched details provided in the suspect’s confession.
“The suspect described that the victim was first attacked outside a chapel, where she was struck and lost consciousness before being dragged inside. The crime scene evidence aligns with this statement,” Wanky explained.
Among the critical forensic evidence being examined are swabs from the victim’s body, scrapings from under her nails, and a muffler found at the scene, which may not belong to the victim.
If the DNA samples collected from these items match any of the three identified suspects, police said it will further strengthen the case.
While three individuals have been identified, authorities have not ruled out the involvement of others.
“We are still following additional leads, and there is a possibility that more individuals were involved,” Wanky said.
The tragic death of the 23-year-old Slovak national, Michaela Mickova, whose body was discovered on March 12 in an abandoned chapel in Sitio Pinaungon, Barangay Balabag, has prompted a comprehensive investigation by local authorities.
Mickova arrived in Boracay on March 1 to attend a Filipina friend’s wedding. She was reported missing on March 10, two days before her body was found approximately a kilometer from her accommodations. Initial findings indicated a stab wound to her abdomen but authorities awaited official autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.
As the investigation nears completion, authorities are ensuring that all evidence is thoroughly examined to secure a conviction in court. The final DNA results are expected to be a key factor in determining the next steps in the legal process./PN
