CEBU, Philippines - Argao police filed yesterday afternoon a murder complaint against Raymond Albuera, 21, of Barangay Taloot, Argao, and Elmo Relativo, 24, of Barangay Bulasa, Argao for the death of 15-year-old Jezreel Higida.

But the witness to the incident, Roweno Sarausa, 41, was also charged for abandonment of persons in danger, which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

Sarausa said he would face the charges against him. He said he witnessed the killing from a distance, but was overcome by fear so he ran away.

He said was tethering his cow when he noticed Albuera and Relativo tailing the 15-year-old victim.

The two, Sarausa said, then grabbed the girl but she resisted, causing the suspects to push her to the ground and then smash her head with a stone larger than her head. Sarausa said the lifeless victim was then dragged to a bushy and secluded area.

He said he ran away out of fear for his life, but that he reported what he saw to his uncle.

“Pagdagan nila, midagan pod ko. Wan-a gyod ko kasabot sa akong gibati,” he told reporters.

It was Sarausa’s testimony that led the police to Albuera and Relativo.

Despite him being instrumental to the solution of the case, however, the police thought Sarausa should be held criminally liable for not helping Higida.

The law punishes anyone who fails to render assistance to any dying or wounded person found in an uninhabited place if “he can render such assistance without detriment to himself.” — (FREEMAN)