MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A 22-year-old LGBTQIA+ member and college student was found dead under brutal circumstances in Barangay 1, Malaybalay City, on Monday morning, July 27, prompting an intensive police investigation and a hot pursuit operation against the identified suspect.
The victim was identified by authorities as Neilbert Donggo Benito, also known as “Betty,” an Office Administration student at the Mindanao Arts and Technological Institute (MATI) and a resident of Purok 10, Barangay Sumpong, Malaybalay City.
According to the Malaybalay City Police Station, authorities received a report from a City Security Unit (CSU) personnel at around 7:45 a.m. regarding the discovery of a lifeless body in Purok 7, Barangay 1 Heights, near the Folk Arts area.
Responding police officers, together with personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), immediately secured the area and conducted an initial crime scene investigation.
Investigators found the victim lying on the ground with severe head injuries, believed to have been caused by repeated blows from a hard object. Authorities also noted that the victim’s pants zipper was open, the shorts had been pulled down, and parts of the victim’s genital area were exposed, circumstances that investigators are carefully examining as they determine the events leading to the killing.
Police have yet to disclose whether sexual assault is being considered as a possible angle in the investigation, pending forensic examination and the results of the ongoing probe.
Police identify person of interest
Based on the initial investigation, witness testimonies, and evidence gathered at the crime scene, the Malaybalay City Police Station said investigators have already identified the suspected perpetrator.
Authorities have initiated the necessary legal procedures for the filing of appropriate criminal charges while simultaneously conducting a hot pursuit operation to locate and arrest the suspect.
Investigators believe the victim may have met with the suspect shortly before the crime occurred, although police have not yet released further details to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.
Family cries for justice
The victim’s father, in an exclusive live interview, appealed for justice following the gruesome killing of his 22-year-old child.
He described the incident as one of the most heartbreaking tragedies their family has ever endured and said they continue to cooperate closely with investigators while awaiting further developments in the case.
The family is hoping that the swift identification of the suspect will lead to an immediate arrest and the successful prosecution of those responsible.
Investigation continues
Authorities continue to process physical evidence and gather additional witness statements to establish the complete sequence of events and determine the motive behind the killing.
Police are also encouraging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activities in the area or possesses information relevant to the case to immediately coordinate with the Malaybalay City Police Station.
The brutal killing has shocked residents of Malaybalay City, with many expressing grief and calling for justice for the young student.
Police emphasized that while a suspect has already been identified, the investigation remains ongoing and authorities will release additional information as it becomes available through official channels.