Suspect in fiscal's slay pleads guilty to illegal gun possession

CEBU, Philippines - One of the suspects in the killing of city prosecutor Patrick Allan Osorio has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms that were filed against him after his arrest.

Allan Senogat was arrested with four others, including Alex Abacahan Sr. and son Alex Jr., in their hideout in barangay Maghaway, Talisay City, last June 18.

Authorities confiscated 11 firearms from the three during the raid which was carried out around 4 a.m.

In his arraignment for illegal possession of firearms, Senogat pleaded guilty to the crime before the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 9 judge Geraldine Faith Econg.

Senogat, who was interviewed by Econg, also denied his participation in the killing of Osorio.

Senogat was tagged as the man who shot dead Cebu City assistant prosecutor Patrick Ian Osorio, while the Abacahans were linked to the killing of Maghaway barangay councilman Pedro Delvo and his in-law Alex Murallos.

Two men on a motorcycle shot Osorio, 36, last January 7 along Ma. Gochan Street while he was stuck in a traffic jam. He died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

He left behind four children and his wife, who was pregnant with their fifth child.

City police and the National Bureau of Investigation teamed up to corner the suspects.

Local police who formed part of a task force focusing on the case said they suspect the assailants were hired guns and that the incident was related to Osorio’s work. – Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)