AKLAN Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. yesterday offered a P100,000 reward for any information that would help identify the perpetrators who raped and killed a Slovakian tourist on the island of Boracay.
Haresco lamented the negative impact of the incident on Boracay’s reputation as a safe and welcoming tourist destination, saying authorities have to identify and arrest the suspects at the soonest to restore the public’s confidence.
“This is a devastating blow to our tourism industry,” Haresco said. “We must act swiftly and decisively to address this issue and restore public trust. We need to reassure tourists that Boracay is a safe place. We will do everything in our power together with our local officials in Boracay and Malay (town) and national agencies concerned to prevent such incidents from happening again.”
He made the statement after he was briefed over the weekend by police officials who had identified two persons of interest. Police are also investigating the involvement of a possible third suspect.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said two of the three persons of interest in the case are now in police custody.
Police are now awaiting the official report of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), including DNA results from evidence collected at the crime scene.
Haresco vowed to monitor the case and work with local authorities by extending financial assistance to expedite the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Police last Monday said the victim, 23-year-old Michaela Mickova, who was found dead at the chapel of an abandoned resort in Boracay Island last week, was sexually assaulted.
The victim was initially reported missing last March 10, nine days after arriving in Boracay Island, along with a male Slovakian.
