Ting alleged killer glad witness takes his side

CEBU, Philippines - The accused assailant of hotelier Manuel Ting expressed his happiness that a witness has come forward to proclaim his innocence.

Ruel Velez, who was arrested and charged for the death of Ting last June 22 in Barangay Tisa, was finally allowed to speak with the media for the first time yesterday.

In his detention cell at the Cebu City Police Office stockade, Velez said that what was said by the witness to a radio reporter and newspaper correspondent would be a big help to his case.

The witness, who works as a saleslady of a bakery near the crime scene, reportedly told radio reporter Guam Logroño that Velez is not Ting’s killer.

Newspaper columnist Bobby Nalzaro instructed Logroño to interview the woman after learning that she was not included in the list of witnesses being tapped by the police.

“Nalipay ko pagtumaw sa saksi. Dako g’yud og tabang ang witness sa akong kaso,” Velez said.

Velez denied his involvement in the ambush of Ting.

“Wa ko’y sa’. Bugal-bugal man ‘ning gibuhat sa mga pulis. Ila ko giingnan na naa’y tarong na witness na mutudlo nako, ‘nya gidiretso man lang ko nila og dakop,” Velez claimed.

“Daghan baya kong anak. Mga close pa ‘gyud nako akong mga anak. Kamo, naa man sad mo mga pamilya. Pait oy,” Velez said as he broke into tears.

Cebu City Police Officer director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador insisted Velez is not a fall guy.

Comendador said that they have already talked to the witness several times before Logroño did last Saturday. According to Comendador, the saleslady told them that she did not see the face of the assailant as she was facing the opposite direction. – THE FREEMAN