Cebu City (CNN Philippines, March 18) — The confessed killer of 16-year-old Cebu student Christine Silawan is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Central Visayas NBI Director Tomas Enrile on Monday said Silawan's former boyfriend was arrested in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City on March 16. Two other suspects who helped commit the gory murder are still being hunted.

"Yes, totoo po yun na nahuli na yung suspect sa pagpatay kay Christine Silawan," Enrile confirmed, adding that the killer already confessed to the crime. Local reports quoted the NBI regional director as saying the boy committed the crime out of jealousy.

He said security footage and text messages from Silawan helped track down the suspect whose name cannot be disclosed because he is a minor.

The Justice Department earlier ordered the NBI to investigate and build up the case on the bloody murder of the high school student.

Silawan was stabbed several times on her neck and body which was found in a vacant lot on Monday. Her skull was exposed and she was naked from the waist down.

Initial medico-legal report showed she was also missing a number of organs including the neck, trachea, esophagus, and tongue. It remains unclear if she was also raped.

Authorities said the young girl may have been dead for 12 hours when she was found.