Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Torralba insists Ortiz tried to kill him in ambush
THE defense wants to pin down a radio broadcaster for allegedly asking P2 million from the family of the man he accused of trying to kill him. But Cirse “Choy” Torralba threw the charge back yesterday.
In his direct testimony, he was asked by private prosecutor Adelino Sitoy what’s his motive in filing the case amid reports that he “wavered” during the filing.
Torralba said the motive is that he identified John Lloyd Ortiz, 23, as his attacker last June 8, 2004 attack outside Angel radio station on Don Jose Avila St. in Capitol Site, Cebu City.
But defense lawyer Rolando Quimbo wanted to confirm rumors that Torralba asked for P2 million from Ortiz’s family to settle the case. Torralba said Ortiz’s uncle indirectly offered him P1.5 million to settle the case.
The offer, Torralba said, was made between his brother and Ortiz’s uncle over the telephone. Torralba’s brother and Ortiz’s uncle are friends. But Torralba said in an interview that his brother refused the offer. Quimbo laughed off the allegation.
“He said so. But do you believe him?” he asked. “Of course he will not admit that it is true (he) will withdraw the case for P2 million.”
He said it was surprising that Torralba identified Ortiz as the gunman when in previous interviews he blamed smugglers and drug lords.
‘110 percent’
Torralba denied he wavered in the filing. He said he only identified Ortiz after he saw him on television. It was the only time he saw Ortiz after the attack since he does not know him.
Torralba also denied knowing the Ortiz family.
Regional Trial Court Judge Estela Alma Singco asked Torralba how sure he was that Ortiz was the gunman. Torralba said he is 110 percent sure.
He believes the motive for the shooting was jealousy. He earlier said Ortiz was jealous of his (Torralba’s) closeness with Ortiz’s girlfriend, Yvonne Ygbuhay.
Torralba also refuted Ygbuhay’s testimony that he had no idea who the shooter was. Torralba said he will only reveal what he knew to the authorities. (JGA)
