The family of a housewife who was brutally killed and believed to also be sexually molested in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to speed up the solution of the crime, police said.

Supt. Norberto Boston , Victorias police chief, yesterday said NBI expertise is needed in analyzing the evidence gathered from the crime scene, that could help in identifying the suspect in the killing of Imelda Manapo.

Manapo, 42, and a farm worker, bore 17 multiple hack wounds in the head and different parts of her body.

Police reports said the body of Manapo was found half-naked, without her short pants and underwear, and was “spread-eagled” by her husband, Serafin, on Jan.9.

Boston said they also turned over the clothes, pants and a bolo owned by Juanito Solatorio, 42, who was previously invited for questioning by the Victorias police, as he was the last person seen with the victim.

He added that they believed she was hacked in the head before being molested, as indicated by the absence of signs a struggle or resistance at the crime scene.

Boston said the suspect was probably familiar to the victim.

Solatorio vehemently denied involvement in the killing.

Victorias police investigators also invited other farm laborers who were working with Manapo in Hacienda Basa 2, Brgy. 10, Victorias City , shortly before she was killed.*GPB

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