A new twist on the much-celebrated case of the murder of Atty. Mia Mascariñas-Green surfaced as supposed witnesses of the defense recant from what they earlier stated in their affidavit allegedly ready made by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Teofanes Bautista Sumalinog and Joel Silabay Monreal, both of legal age and work as security guards of Dagohoy Security agency and assigned at Alona Embrace Resort in Panglao, alleged that the NBI forced them to sign an affidavit even if it was against their will. But because of fear they signed the said sworn statement.

“Nga sa panahon sa pagimbestigar, kami nalang si Joel Monreal and nahibilin og samtang ang NBI agents nagsige of imbestigar, kami gihadlok nila ug gani ila akong gihapak sa akong abaga ug ang akong kamot gilabtikan og wire aron lang mopirma sa affidavit nga gihimo sa taga NBI,” Sumalinog said.

What the NBI did to him is like a torture so that he signs the affidavit prepared by the former, Sumalinog said.

He said he did not understand the contents of said affidavit prepared by the NBI and was not given a copy that was verified by a fiscal “bisan pa nga ang unod niini dili gikan nako. Gumikan sa akong kahadlok nisugot na lang ko nga mpirma sa maong affidavit.” He only got a copy of it from his security chief John Sebusa of agency.

Sumalinog cited part 4 and 5 of the said NBI-preapred affidavit he signed that it was not true that there was sort of a banquet tendered on February 14, 2017, a day before Atty. Mia was gunned down. The said “despidida” (banquet) was concocted by Lloyd Gonzaga, the alleged brain of the lawyer’s murder, for he was leaving for Davao.

“Ang maong storya dili gyud tinuod kay wala ma gyu’y salo-salo nahitabo niadtong panahuna. Ug wa pud ko nakahibalo nga si sir Lloyd Gonzaga mouliay paingon sa Davao,” he said.

Sumalinog said that he decided to withdraw the sworn statement he already signed because the NBI was the one who prepared it.

Sumalinog signed the affidavit (retraction) verified on March 20, 2017 by Assistant Prosecutor Liezl O. Visaya Tuyogon. He and Monreal are assisted by Atty. Ted Lagang, former IBP president and Atty. Jun Amora.

The Integrated Bar of the Philipines Bohol chapter issued a statement requesting the NBI to conduct an investigation on the killing of Atty. Mascariñas-Green.

When sought to comment, the NBI here thru Atty. Albao sent a text for this writer to “personally interview the investigator on case tomorrow as well as read the affidavits of the guards.”

The suspects, Gonzaga and one Romarico Templado Benigi-an, eluded arrest when a combined law enforcers of Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) swooped down on said resort.

MURDER FACTS 

Mascariñas-Green was shot dead in front of her children inside the van they were riding at the time of the ambush along sitio Lanao, barangay Dao, this city on February 15, 2017.

SITG carried out the search warrant with number VEJ-2017-02 issued by Vice Executive Judge Jennifer Chavez, Marcos of Regional Trial Court Branch 2, Bohol, police report said.

While police raiders failed to apprehend the suspects, they, however, hauled the following:  One (1) unit .38 caliber revolver Smith & Wesson without serial number; two .38 live ammunition; one (1) piece hand grenade; one (1) pack heat sealed transparent cellophane containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu from said hotel.

The implementation of the said warrant was “conducted  in an orderly manner in the presence of the following witnesses, Barangay Officials of Tawala, Panglao Kagawad Dionisio Sumili, Kagawad Roque Milalus, Willy Maestrado-representative from MEDIA and one Rosal Estomo-employee of the Alona Embrace Hotel.”

SITG is composed of personnel from Tagbilaran City Police Station, Bohol Crime Investigation Detection Group (CIDG), Bohol Provincial Intelligence Bureau, Bohol Special Weapons and Tactics, Panglao Police Station and Bohol Tourist Police Unit under the leadership of PSUPT Nicomedes Paña Olaivar, Chief of Police of Tagbilaran. (with report from rvo)