The family of slain caregiver Maribel Bacsal, whose body was found inside a plastic container at the compound of her employers in Cainta, Rizal on Monday, is fearing for their safety as the prime suspect in the killing of their kin remained at large as of Wednesday, July 5.
Melissa, not her real name, 32, younger sibling of the victim, told Manila Bulletin that their family members are now hiding and seeking authorities' help for their safety.
Major Alfonso Saligumba, Cainta chief of police, told Manila Bulletin that as of this writing, the person of interest, a certain Kenneth Duncan with aliases Kenneth Tan and Chenny Chen, could be hiding and believed to have flown out of the country.
Saligumba revealed that based on the autopsy report, the 42-year-old victim sustained multiple hack wounds in her back, believed to have been inflicted using a chef’s knife.
Bacsal's body was found stuffed in a tightly sealed blue plastic container covered with another container in the afternoon of July 3, Monday, after barangay and police personnel noticed foul smell coming from the compound.
Melissa is also seeking financial help from the local government for the cremation of Bacsal’s remains that will be flown to their hometown.
Melissa said she would like to seek the help of Senator Raffy Tulfo for the immediate solution of the crime.
“Gusto ko po nang masusing imbestigasyon. Yung hindi maibabasura ang kaso laban sa gumawa ng krimen sa ate ko. Walang kapatawaran ang ginawa n’ya sa ate ko, (I would like a thorough investigation so the case will not be thrown as trash against the man who killed my sister. There is no forgiveness for what he did to my sister),” the victim’s sibling said.
She also vowed to keep a close watch on the case until she sees the suspect rotting in jail.
Major Saligumba said charges of accessory to the crime or obstruction of justice were being prepared against the victim’s elderly female employer who has been placed under police custody since July 3, the day the victim’s body was discovered.
It was learned that the victim was last seen alive on Thursday, June 29, when she left her residence to report for work at her employers’ house at Brookside Hills Subdivision in Cainta.
Her family informed the authorities on Friday about her disappearance.
On Sunday, the victim’s aunt went to her employer to work as Bacsal’s reliever, but she did not find the missing caregiver.
The victim's aunt later found Bacsal’s clothes and other belongings in the premises of her employers' house, contrary to the latter’s claim that the caregiver did not report for work before Sunday.
Maj. Saligumba said his office is open to the victim’s family as he assured them of their protection.