Murder in paradise

Last week, I reached out to my longtime friends in Boracay Island, a number of whom are professionals, business owners and even members of the provincial security force, to gather info regarding the Slovakian tourist who was found half naked and decomposing on the floor of an abandoned chapel.

- CITO BELTRAN

Just for context, I sent out this message to one of them last Saturday: "Good pm bro. May balita ka ba sa rape-murder ng Slovakian tourist sa Boracay? Balik na naman daw ang drugs?"

My contact replied: "So sad nga. Nakaka-jolt. According to local informants, easy daw bentahan ng shabu ngayon. In the past marijuana, marami kami huli. Ngayon mukhang nakapasok ang shabu na nakakaluto ng ulo."

(Locals claim it's easy to buy shabu on the island. In the past we often catch people using marijuana, but it seems shabu has gained entry on the island. That fries people's brains.)

"If what I heard is right, they arrested a tour guide as a person of interest based on photos that the victim had shared with her friends. They are still looking for his associates." (also reported in The Philippine STAR).

"And not sure if true but unconfirmed information say that sachets and foils (aluminum foil for shabu) were found sa crime scene. This is so saddening and sobering."

I also reached out to an "original" islander and known personality on the island, and he was as angry as upset with what happened to the Slovakian lady. With business being so slow and many tourists going to other local destinations, the suspected rape-murder incident hurts the locals in the heart and in their pockets.