Suspects in gas station rob freed

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — The three suspects in yesterday's midday robbery of the Petron gas station, operated by the Codilla family, were temporarily released because the reglementary period of 36 hours detention was over.

Chief Insp. Benjamin Cruto, Jr., Ormoc City forensic chemical officer, also confirmed to The FREEMAN that all three suspects–Mervin Castañas, Redentor Maguikay and Rommel Cuesta–were found to be negative in the paraffin tests conducted after their arrest on the day of the incident.

"Each paraffin test consumes more or less 30 minutes and should be done within 72 hours - procedures that we always observe, including this case," Cruto said.

Ormoc Police Station 1 chief, Senior Insp. Shevert Alvin Machete, in a separate interview confirmed that the suspects were temporarily released due to the 36-hour reglementary period.

He said that all witnesses, including Jacqueline Boco and her mother Isabellita Arradaza, whose blue motorcycle was grabbed and commandeered by the escaping robbers, refused to execute affidavits against the arrested suspects.

Alberto Barquera Jr., gas station's assistant cashier who was able to save the money from being taken by the robbers, also refused to execute affidavit, as all of them have second thoughts on the identity of the suspects with that of the robbers.

Julieta Pepito, the cashier who was shot on the nape, was still fighting for her life at OSPA Medical Center, this city, as of press time yesterday. - THE FREEMAN