BACOLOD City – The city government is offering a cash reward of P50,000 to anyone who could give credible information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect in the killing of a Grade 10 student of Sum-ag National High School here.
The 15-year-old Pearl Joy Galve was found dead inside the sugarcane field in Hacienda San Roque, Barangay Cubay, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on August 14. She has been missing since July 29.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday said the reward will be sourced out from his personal fund.
“If there is a recommendation to increase the cash reward from the city police director, Colonel Joeresty Coronica, I will consider that,” the mayor added.
Mayor Benitez said he met last week with the victim’s mother, Jennifer, and he assured her that the city will do anything to apprehend the suspect.
Earlier, the mayor ordered the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to thoroughly investigate the killing of Galve and coordinate with the La Carlota City Police Station.
“I condemned in the strongest terms the tragic and senseless death of a 15-year-old Bacolodnon, Pearl Joy Galve, a Grade 10 student from Barangay Sum-ag. This heinous act is a grave injustice. We will not rest until they are held accountable,” Mayor Benitez said.
The mayor, in light of this tragedy, also urged young people to exercise caution when interacting with others, especially those they do not know well.
“Always inform your family members or any trusted adult of your whereabouts,” he added./PN
