P’sinan gov breathes easy after witness recants

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines   â€“ Gov. Amado Espino Jr. yesterday said he felt relieved now that the witness who implicated him in the killing of a town mayor has recanted the allegations against him.

Espino told journalists he felt vindicated when the 16-year-old witness asked his forgiveness.

“I was not much worried about myself but I knew with this development, my mom would be happy and my family. When the news came out about the child’s new statement, I could see his sincerity,” he said.

The governor said he has forgiven the boy, noting he was only forced to implicate him and Rep. Jesus Celeste as the alleged masterminds in the killing of Infanta mayor Ruperto Martinez in December last year.

He said his friends and his classmates in the Philippine Military Academy sent him inspiring messages after learning of the boy’s retraction. He said he has yet to consult his lawyers for their next move.

Espino said the issue is now centered on the child’s testimony against the statement of four persons – Pangasinan police director Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, lawyer Leonido Pulido, former Alaminos City mayor Hernani Braganza and Manuel Tolentino – whom the witness alleged to have forced him to implicate him and Celeste in the killing.

Espino challenged Chan and Pulido, who both denied knowing or meeting the boy, to undergo a polygraph test to determine who among them is telling the truth.