November 10, 2025
PIGCAWAYAN, NORTH COTABATO — Senator Raffy “Idol” Tulfo has offered a ₱500,000 cash reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect behind the brutal rape and murder of two-year-old Czanaia Kiara Bermejo in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.
The grieving mother, Kristine Bermejo, personally sought help from the Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA) program on Monday, November 10, to seek justice for her daughter’s death. The toddler was last seen attending class at the Barangay Buluan Daycare Center before she went missing — only to be found lifeless and floating in the pool of D’ Pink Resort hours later.
In an interview with Tulfo, daycare teacher-on-duty Bryan Santander claimed he did not know how the child managed to leave the classroom, admitting that the daycare center had no doors or windows as it was still under construction. The facility also lacked CCTV cameras.
Tulfo immediately coordinated with Police Major Maxim Peralta, officer-in-charge of the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station, who confirmed that the autopsy revealed the child died of asphyxia by smothering and had clear signs of sexual assault.
“We are deeply saddened and angered by this case. We already have two persons of interest under investigation,” said Peralta. One of the POIs, he added, is a lifeguard who lives near the crime scene but has refused to cooperate or provide a DNA sample to clear his name.
Police have also filed a case of obstruction of justice against the owner of D’ Pink Resort for allegedly refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Senator Tulfo urged authorities to conduct polygraph tests on all resort staff on duty before and during the incident. He also proposed filing a bill requiring all resorts nationwide to install CCTV cameras inside and outside their premises to aid future investigations. Additionally, he is considering legislation that would compel persons of interest to undergo DNA testing upon request of the Philippine National Police.
Tulfo assured the Bermejo family that he would personally monitor the case until justice is served. “We cannot allow monsters like this to walk free. Someone out there knows the truth — please come forward,” he said during the RTIA program.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is urged to contact Raffy Tulfo in Action or the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station immediately.