Family of slain girl in Antique calls for justice
SAN JOSE, Antique—The family of a 15-year old girl killed and allegedly raped here has called on authorities to hasten the investigation and resolution of the victim's case.
“She was closest to me. We want those really behind the crime to be jailed. They should be shown no mercy,” Ramy Rex, the eldest brother of Kirsten Mejica, said in an interview at the family residence in Barangay Comon.
Kirsten, the only girl among six siblings, was found half-naked and barely conscious with her head bludgeoned at a grassy vacant lot in Barangay Funda-Dalipe on January 31. She died a few hours after she was taken to Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital.
Kirsten's male companion, also a minor and said to be her boyfriend or ex-boyfriend, was also hit in the head but survived.
Her companion initially told investigators that they were on a motorcycle in Funda-Dalipe when they were waylaid by a group of young men. He said he lost consciousness after he was hit on the head.
On February 4, police announced that they have detained a 16-year old suspect who confessed to hitting the two victims.
In his confession, the suspect said he had a grudge against Kirsten's companion because the boy had bullied him in school forcing him to drop out. But he denied raping her.
The police turned over the suspect to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare of Development because he is a minor.
The victim's family and many residents of this town believe that she was raped and possibly by several persons.
But Chief Insp. Gilbert Gorero, San Jose police chief, said the available evidence and medical findings have so far failed to show that the girl was raped.
He said they have not considered the case closed and are waiting for the NBI's autopsy report on the victim which would help determine whether she was raped or not.
The crime has outraged this laid back town of around 48,000 residents.
Residents have displayed streamers at the victim's barangay, school and in other areas in the town condemning Kirsten's killing and calling for justice.
But the incident has also shaken some residents who have observed a worsening criminality in some areas of the town.