Suspects in Osorio murder charged

CEBU, Philippines – After more than three months since assistant Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Osorio was killed in an ambush, the police yesterday filed murder complaints before the city prosecutor’s office against the alleged gunmen.

City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon confirmed they received the complaint yesterday afternoon but refused to give a copy of the documents to the media. Sellon likewise refused to give the names of the respondents, saying he still have to endorse the complaint to the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office.

A reliable source, however, identified the suspects as Lyndon Horandoy and Allan Senogat of barangay Maghaway, Talisay City.

They were allegedly identified by a seaman who was standing at the Park ‘N Go Bakeshop near the place where Osorio was ambushed and killed by two motorcycle-riding gunmen.

It was not clear how the witness of the police identified Horandoy and Senogat when the the gunmen were wearing full-faced helmet.

Trisikad drivers Elenito Cole and a certain Tata who were at the Maria Gochan Street, Mambaling when Osorio was shot, said that they saw the gunmen on a motorcycle. However, they could not see their faces because it was covered by the helmet.

Sellon said his office will inhibit from the case to avoid suspicion considering that Osorio was his colleague.

Ritcham Alda, who was earlier arrested by the police, was not included in the charge.

The police picked up Alda in sitio Bulingit, Mambaling few days after Osorio was killed on January 6. He was, however, released later.

Cole said he was forced to sign an affidavit to pinpoint Alda as he not allowed to leave the police camp until he will identify Alda.

Cole was forced to sign the affidavit but later recanted after having sought the help of the media. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)