Saturday, December 15, 2007 Aves’ driver denies link to shootings
THE fraternity member tagged by police in shooting incidents in Metro Cebu denied involvement when he was presented to reporters yesterday.
Jose Mari “Otik” Temblon said he was surprised when he was placed under arrest.
“I have no idea about those incidents. In fact I’m still wondering why I’m here,” he told reporters in Cebuano.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 Chief Jose Jorge Corpuz said Temblon was tagged as the driver of the motorcycle, which Aristotle Aves rode as he shot at passersby last October.
Corpuz said all the planning happened in Temblon’s house.
Temblon admitted that he was a press relations officer of the Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) Centro Mandaue City chapter.
Asked if he was active in the activities of Akrho, he said he was but only when it came to activities of the chapter he belonged to.
He added that he doesn’t know how to drive a motorcycle and doesn’t have a driver’s license.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador and Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Chief George Ylanan believe that the .45 pistol they recovered from suspect Jesus Singson Jr. strengthens their cases in the drive-by shootings.
“We now have a balanced case. We have testimonial evidence and physical evidence,” Comendador said.
He said the Homicide Section is now backtracking on other cases. He said whatever evidence is available can also be compared to see if there is a connection.
Ylanan, for his part, said the recovery of the firearm became a huge accomplishment for the CCPO, as it solved nine cases involving 15 victims.
At least nine cases have been linked to Aves, based on the cross-matching of a .45 pistol with recovered shells from crime scenes.
These included the killing of Japanese national Taroh Suda last July and the drive-by shootings last October.
Corpuz said they have now identified around eight members of the group who are involved in shooting incidents. Three of them—Aves, Temblon and Singson—have been arrested while Ramon “Boy” Baclohan was killed in a shootout during an operation.
Corpuz said Singson owned the motorcycle used in several crimes.
Corpuz said they are still looking for the other motorcycles used by the group.
Temblon admitted knowing Singson and that he once had a drinking session with Aves, but continued to deny involvement in any shooting.
Temblon will face a case for illegal possession of firearm and possession of shabu. (MEA)
