Sison murder witness loses permanent home

CEBU - Since surfacing as witness to the shooting of lawyer Richard Sison, technician Crisanto Lagasca yesterday revealed that he was forced to move away from his residence and has lived from one place to another for fear of his safety.

Back on the witness stand yesterday, Lagasca told the court that an unidentified man visited him in his house past midnight last June and asked him if he indeed recognized the driver of the motorcycle that the suspect used as getaway vehicle.

The same unknown visitor also reportedly asked him if he received anything from Sison’s family in exchange for his testimony. Lagasca said he believed that the person was armed at that time.

“Nahadlok ko kay nangutana man siya og nakakita ba ko sa driver sa motorcycle,” Lagasca said.

During cross examination by defense lawyer Wendell Quiban, Lagasca reiterated that he saw the man who peppered Sison with bullets on May 21. He said he reportedly had a clear view of the shooting from the glass window of the establishment where he worked as a technician.

In his previous testimony, Lagasca identified accused Nemuel Sumabong as the alleged gunman.

Lagasca said he was inside the shop when a speeding black automobile caught his attention. He then subsequently saw two motorcycle riding men stop beside the Toyota pick-up driven by Sison and immediately fired at the latter.

Lagasca said he had a good view of Sumabong’s face because the latter was not wearing a helmet and, after firing, even went back to the vehicle to check if the victim was still alive before speeding off with the motorcycle.

However, Lagasca said he could no longer recall what the gunman was wearing. Nevertheless, he still could reportedly vividly remember the position of the hands of the gunman.

Lagasca also failed to sketch a picture of the crime scene, in fact, the sketching consumed much of the hearing time.

This prompted Judge Soliver Peras of Regional Trial Court Branch 10 to defer the scheduled hearing on Wednesday in lieu of an ocular inspection of the crime scene. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)