PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro—The relatives of a 52-year Australian national who was murdered in a beach resort here recently have sought the assistance of the Philippine government for the arrest of the suspects in the slaying.
Clayton West, an underwater videographer, was bludgeoned to death on his way home on board his electric bike by unidentified assailants at 1:30 a.m. on April 22 in sitio Kabilang Gulod, Bgy. Palangan, this resort town.
West, who has lived in Puerto Galera resident for 18 years, was returning home to Bgy. Palangan after spending the evening in nearby Bgy. Sabang, when he was brutally killed. The victim suffered two wounds at the back of his head.
He is survived by his Filipina wife and two children, ages 6 and 3.
The Puerto Galera police station has yet to come up with a progress or investigation report on the murder of West since his slaying.
Police Chief Marlon Cabatana said the “investigation is still ongoing as of today as there is no autopsy report yet.” The autopsy report will come from the PNP crime laboratory based at Camp Crame, national headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City, he said.
“We will inform you if there is a development in the case,” Cabatana told The Standard.
Puerto Galera Mayor Hubbert Christopher Dolor said the “municipal police station is really doing their best to follow whatever leads they have right now. The family (West) can be assured that justice will be served in due time.”
Rudy West, a brother-in-law of the slain videographer, said the family of Clayton in Australia has offered a cash reward of US$5,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers.
