Suspect in killing of engr. says he escaped to gather evidence

CEBU, Philippines - Joshua Sayson, the inmate who escaped from a detention cell in Lapu-Lapu City last Sunday, surrendered to a member of the Mobile Patrol Group the other night and explained he just wanted to get proof that he had nothing to do with the death of Engr. Rexel Gonzales last year.

Sayson, a native of Barangay Lorega San Miguel in Cebu City, was arrested after witnesses pointed to him as the one who robbed and killed Gonzales last May 22, 2009 in Lapu-Lapu City.

But Sayson said a certification his brother got from the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center would prove that he was in detention at BBRC from March 20, 2009 to April 21, 2010 for theft and illegal possession of deadly weapon.

The certification, signed by BBRC Jail Warden J/Supt. Efren Nemeño, would prove he could not have committed the crime last year, as he was still inside jail.

“Kampante gyud ko nga nasayop ang kapolisan sa paglambigit kanako. Ang dokumento nagpamatood lang nga wala ko sa maong pagpatay ug pagtulis anang Engr. Gonzales nga maoy gibasehan sa Warrant of Arrest batok kanako,” Sayson said.

Sayson escaped from detention last Sunday evening by cutting the edge of the prison bar railing of his detention cell.

Sayson said that before he escaped, he asked one of his brothers to get the certification from BBRC.

In a separate interview, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director P/ SSupt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. said Sayson needs to present his evidence in court.   (FREEMAN NEWS)