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Friday, September 19, 2003
Wenceslao Are they fall guys?
By BONG WENCESLAO
Are Juan Jesus “John” Vergel de Dios and Rustico “Loloy” Fernandez the real killers of customs men Eduardo “Wewe” Lao and Bennett Soreño and high school student Alain Dave Ravina? Elements of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 are convinced they are, thus the filing of the complaint against them last Sept. 17.
De Dios and Fernandez are driver and messenger, respectively, of the office of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Cebu Chief Felix Espino. But the latter has not been dragged into the case—yet. Instead de Dios pointed to another Customs official, Arnold Famor, and an unidentified Chinese businessman as the masterminds.
So is the sensational July 24 Lao-Soreño-Ravina slay good as solved? Nah. Instead, I would describe the stage of the investigation as neither here or there as yet. I mean, there are details NBI 7 and other sources uncovered that tend to confirm their participation. But there are also aspects of the story that tend to negate the confirmation.
Okay, let’s try analyzing some of the details, and let’s tackle the NBI claim first.
l There was “positive identification” by witnesses of de Dios and Fernandez as the gunmen. They were supposedly the ones who fingered the two while NBI 7 were investigating them for the disappearance of the vans. Besides, as NBI 7 Chief Reynaldo Esmeralda noted, the cartographic sketch matched “99.9 percent” de Dios’ profile.
l Of course, there is de Dios’ confession. I still have to hear reports NBI 7 operatives tortured the man, whether physically or mentally, to own up the crime. His posture is unlike that of Fernandez, who vehemently denied the accusation and who even presented an alibi. I think de Dios’ admission, if done voluntarily, is really something.
Now, let’s proceed to the contrary stance.
l Who are the witnesses? I would say belief in positive identification hinges on two points: the credibility of the witnesses and the quality of their testimony. If they have no axe to grind against the suspects, then they are credible. As for their testimony, did they really see the faces of the suspects (who wore helmets) and remembered them well?
l As for de Dios’ confession, I can find holes there (the last I heard he has already turned around, taking back what he said). Like, P5,000 for killing a deputy customs collector? Oh, please. Then there’s his claim of not knowing the mastermind, especially the Chinese trader. Double please. And his narrative of the operation? Too simplistic.
l What about the alibis (although these are weak compared with positive identification). Like one Customs personnel insisting he was with de Dios in another area when the incident happened. Or Fernandez’s claim that he was playing basketball in Sambag 1 at that time. Or Customs people saying the two were just fall guys.
l Finally, there are a few information I want dredged to shed light on the matter. Do de Dios and Fernandez know how to handle firearms, especially a powerful one like an Ingram? What were their backgrounds? De Dios pointed to customs examiner Arnold Famor as one of the masterminds. What was the motive? Did he and Lao have a grudge?
I mean, there is no way I will support fully NBI 7’s claim yet, what with the many questions that need to be answered and details that should be dug. Add to this the fact that there seems to be attempts by some sectors to mislead investigators and the public not only on the Lao, et al case but also on the loss of the two vans. Gubot pas lukot.
P.S. Here’s texter Souie Mercado’s Erap joke. Erap to salesman: “I want to buy a small pink curtain for my computer screen.” Salesman: “Computers don’t need curtains.” Erap: “Helow, I’ve got windows, noh!
(For your Text Reax contributions, my cell phone number is 09166496783. Please give your complete name and address. Or e-mail to: cowens21@lycos.com)
(September 19, 2003 issue)
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