Councilman denies shooting husband of barangay chief

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay councilman accused of killing the husband of Cantao-an, Naga City barangay chief Fe Godoy yesterday denied knowledge of the crime and said he was at his girlfriend’s house when Florante Godoy was shot last June 4.

During yesterday’s inquest proceedings with prosecutors, suspect Jay Niño Castañares said his girlfriend’s house is located in sitio Molokbolok, Barangay Sangat in San Fernando town, just a few meters away from his own house.

The shooting happened in Barangay Cantao-an, Naga City.

Castañares alleged the National Bureau of Investigation did not have a warrant when its personnel arrested him last June 18. He is also contemplating on filing charges for physical injuries.

Castañares himself is facing charges for murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The Godoy couple was shot at while on board their Ford Everest coming from the victory party of Naga City mayor-elect Valdemar Chiong around 10pm last June 4. Also in the vehicle was tanod Feleciano Bacalio, Jr.

Bacalio positively identified Castañares as among the three men on a motorcycle who overtook their vehicle and fired shots at them.

Castañares’ facial features also matched the cartographic sketch prepared by the NBI based on the testimonies of eyewitness.

Witnesses said the gunman was with two other companions at that time. Castañares was reportedly seated between his two companions on the motorcycle and was the one who allegedly fired the shot that hit Godoy on the side and killed him.

During his arrest, authorities recovered from Castañares a .45 caliber pistol believed to be same gun he used in the killing of Godoy, five live ammunitions and drug paraphernalia.

As this developed, Chiong yesterday announced the city will give a P100,000 reward to anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest of the mastermind in the killing. — Mylen P. Manto and Liv G. Campo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)