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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Maitum mayor's 'killer' recants confession
By Malu C. Manar
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A self-confessed backup triggerman-turned state witness in the murder of a town mayor in Sarangani Province in November 2006 recanted his previous confession and now claims he is innocent.
Alberto Robledo, alias Abdul Basar, claimed he was never involved in the killing of Maitum mayor George Yabes in November 11 last year and stressed he was just forced to admit his participation in the incident.
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He said another detained suspect, who confessed involvement in the killing, is allegedly set to make a turnaround to corroborate his claim.
"I'm innocent. I've been suffering from a crime that I did not commit," he said in an interview with a local television station Tuesday morning.
Robledo claimed he was convinced by authorities to admit his role in the killing and implicate six other persons, including Yabes's successor Felix Reganit, because of the financial help offered to his family.
He said his wife and children are currently receiving financial support from Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez.
Dominguez, a close ally of the slain mayor, believes Robledo could have been paid to recant his previous confession.
"It looks like nasuhulan (It looks like he was paid)," Dominguez said of Robledo although he refused to give further details.
Dominguez, however, said Robledo's new claim would taint his credibility.
Robledo surrendered to agents of the Military Intelligence Group 11 and 102nd Army Brigade in Barangay Malisbong in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat in late November last year.
The suspect earlier said he decided to surrender after his cohorts failed to deliver his alleged share of P50,000 in the money that was paid to them for killing of Yabes.
Yabes, 64, was driving his jeep when gunned down in broad daylight by three motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Poblacion.
Police said witnesses positively identified Robledo as one of the three gunmen who allegedly took part in the killing of Yabes.
Robledo later claimed he was the backup of the triggerman identified as Allan Kamid. He identified the third member of the assassination team only by the name Abu.
He claimed that one Mike Dima, an alleged MILF commander and uncle of Kamid, contracted them to kill Yabes and he was promised P50,000 of the P200,000 fee for the liquidation plot.
Police also implicated former mayor Reganit in the killing following confirmation that one of the suspects reportedly stayed in his house three days before the murder.
After the killing of Yabes, the suspects reportedly fled and changed clothes near a compound owned by Reganit. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (December 19, 2007 issue)
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