Two witnesses tag Ramirez in slay

CEBU, Philippines - At least two witnesses have tagged Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez in the shooting to death of a municipal employee Monday evening.

The witnesses have already executed affidavits and are now in custody of the Cebu Provincial Police Office while the criminal complaint is being prepared for filing before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office next week.

“Within this week or next week after the investigation we will be able to file the case at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office,” said CPPO director Erson Digal.

Digal refused to identify the witnesses as well as to give details on their testimonies. But, a source told The FREEMAN that the testimony of one of the witnesses was based on the dying declaration of the victim Edelberto Abao.

According to the source, before the victim died at the Severo Verallo Memorial Hospital in Bogo he was able to tell the witness that Ramirez shot him.

Digal said they also have received several information that really point to Ramirez as the culprit.

“Base sa text message that we received siya ang gitumbok nga suspek hasta sa mga estorya ngadto,” Digal said.

Ramirez reiterated his denial in the shooting of Abao, 57, of Barangay Caputatan Sur and team leader of the “Mayor squad.”

Ramirez said Abao was like a brother to him. In fact, it was allegedly him who ordered to immediately bring the victim to the hospital after they found him wounded at the public market last Monday night.

“He was like a brother to me and he took good care of my youngest son whenever he was here on vacation. My conscience is clear and I have nothing to do with those speculations or accusations,” Ramirez said in an earlier interview with The FREEMAN.

Ramirez said the family of the victim knew him and the relationship he had with him.

“I hope this will not be a political vendetta,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez used to be an ally of Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. but has shifted alliance to Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

Ramirez warned the police to ensure that their witnesses are credible as he threatened to file a counter charge as soon as he is cleared.

“I need to fight back, I am beginning to see the hands of politics here,” he added.

Ramirez was asked to voluntarily submit himself to a paraffin test to clear his name but he refused to. He however claimed to have test-fired his new licensed firearm on Monday the same day Abao was shot.

Meanwhile, Digal yesterday ordered the relief of Sr. Insp. Bonifacio Arriesgado as Medellin chief of police as he will be investigated for neglect of duty because of his failure to report the shooting of Abao to the provincial headquarters.

Arriesgado was reassigned to the Provincial Security Service Group effective yesterday. Digal has designated Senior Inspector Danilo Delantar as officer in charge in Medellin. — /FPL (FREEMAN)