Robredo pushes better police investigation training

By Paulo DS Papa

NAGA Mayor Leni Robredo said that the judiciary shall also focus on training police officers on proper case handling and investigation to secure the conviction of suspects in rape and murder cases.

The mayor, who is a lawyer, made the remark in connection with the Muceros rape-slay case, in which the suspect remains cleared of the sexual offense due to the lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

The Muceros rape-slay case in Naga City involves the killing of 18-year-old Rosalie Muceros, a Grade 11 student from Barangay Panicuason. Her body was discovered on November 27, 2025, in a grassy area in Zone 6 of the barangay. Authorities said she was found partially undressed, with signs indicating possible sexual assault and strangulation.

According to investigators, Rosalie suffered a skull fracture, strangulation marks, and body lacerations. Police believed the crime may have happened elsewhere because there were no signs of struggle at the location where the body was found.

On April 15 this year, the family, together with the Naga City Police Station 4, submitted documents related to murder charges to the prosecutor’s office against the person whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed.

Robredo, speaking on Monday morning, May 11, said there were deficiencies in the rape complaint due to inadequate investigation procedures. Thus, she said the justice zone must intervene by helping police personnel through training on proper case investigation protocols.

She sought the assistance of Judge Pablo Formaran III of the Regional Trial Court in Naga City for the said purpose.

Through this initiative, suspects in such cases, especially those involving women as victims, may be convicted instead of having charges dismissed due to insufficient evidence against the accused.

Meanwhile, Robredo confirmed that no one has yet claimed the P100,000 reward money she offered last December for anyone who could provide accurate and factual information about the suspect.

She said there was no whistle-blower who directly linked the suspect to the crime committed.

She further explained that the murder case filed against the suspect was based on the available evidence.