The Disappearance of Jovelyn Galleno
Jovelyn Galleno, a 22-year-old woman from Palawan, was reported missing on August 5, 2022. She was last seen leaving her home in Barangay San Jose to buy some groceries. Her family and friends became worried when she did not return home and did not answer her phone calls. They searched for her in the nearby areas, but found no trace of her.
The Discovery of the Skeletal Remains
On August 23, 2022, the local police received a tip from a resident who claimed to have witnessed a stabbing incident between two cousins, Leobert Dasmariñas and Jovert Valdestamon, in a grassy area of Pulang Lupa in Barangay Santa Lourdes. The resident said that Leobert pointed to the location of a skeleton and said that it was his cousin Jovelyn, whom he had raped and killed.
The police rushed to the scene and found the skeletal remains along with Jovelyn’s personal belongings, such as her black bag, cellphone, and some identification cards. The police also arrested Leobert and Jovert, who were both injured from the stabbing. Leobert confessed to the police that he had raped and killed Jovelyn, while Jovert denied any involvement.
The DNA Confirmation and the Legal Proceedings
The police requested a DNA test to confirm if the skeletal remains belonged to Jovelyn. They also collected a swab sample from Jovelyn’s mother for comparison. On August 30, 2022, the police announced that the DNA test results showed a 99.9% match between the remains and the mother’s sample, confirming that the skeleton was indeed Jovelyn.
The police filed a case of rape with homicide against Leobert and Jovert, who were both cousins of Jovelyn. According to the police, Leobert had a crush on Jovelyn, but she rejected his advances. He then lured her to a secluded place, where he raped and killed her. He then buried her body in a shallow grave and covered it with grass. He also applied some chemicals to the body to hasten its decomposition.
The Family’s Reaction and the Public’s Outrage
Jovelyn’s family expressed their grief and anger over the brutal death of their loved one. They also questioned why the police took so long to find Jovelyn and why the skeletal remains were so clean and dry. They said that they did not believe that the underwear found with the remains was Jovelyn’s. They also doubted that Leobert and Jovert were the only ones involved in the crime.
The public also expressed their outrage and sympathy over the tragic case of Jovelyn. They demanded justice for her and called for an end to violence against women. They also criticized the authorities for their slow and inefficient response to the case. They urged the government to provide more protection and support for the victims of rape and murder.
Conclusion
What happened to Jovelyn Galleno was a horrific and heartbreaking example of the rampant rape and murder cases in the country. Her case also exposed the flaws and failures of the law enforcement and the justice system. Her case also sparked a public outcry and a call for action to prevent and punish such crimes. Her case also reminded us of the value and dignity of every human life.