GONE TOO SOON | Murder victim Yvonette Chua, in this undated photo, models for photographers. (Photo by RUDOLPH IAN ALAMA)
DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — A P1-million bounty has been raised for the arrest of those involved in the murder of businesswoman-model Yvonette Chua even as law enforcers have identified two persons of interest in the crime.
Col. Alberto Lupaz, director of the Davao City police, said Tuesday that some people based in the Davao region, who did not want to be identified, have raised the reward for the arrest of those involved in the killing.
Along with the announcement of the bounty, the Davao City police also released pictures of two persons considered as suspects in the killing.
The images, Lupaz said, were taken from the footage of a security camera at the crime scene in Green Meadows, Mintal, on Dec. 29, 2022, when the 38-year-old victim was shot as she was about to enter her rented house.
“Their faces may have been hidden (as they wore motorcycle helmets), but I hope someone would come out and identify them,” Lupaz said.
Maj. Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson for the Davao regional police, said that the interest of the public on the case had prompted them to create a special task group to investigate as there were several claims that a military official was behind the crime.
“We are appealing to the public not to make conclusions based on social media posts,” Gultiano added, pointing out that the task group would provide updates on the case.
“We do not confirm yet the involvement of somebody (based on the social media posts),” she said. “What is clear is that our investigation is directed to two persons of interest.”