KILLING OF FORMER FISCAL: Police: Driver is a suspect

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City police noted inconsistencies in the statements of the driver of former Regional State Prosecutor Hernando Masangkay and they are looking at the possibility that he had something to do with the death of the retired government official.

Supt. Henry Biñas, chief of police, said Masangkay’s driver “Daryl,” 17, had been to the police station and denied any hand in the killing.

Although the police allowed him to leave as there is no evidence yet that would link him to the crime, he may be called again as his statements were inconsistent, said Biñas.

The driver did not live in the residence of Masangkay, but would be called when his services were needed.

Masangkay lived at the Camella Homes Subdivision in barangay Lawaan I. Neighbors said that they saw the driver in the area at around 6:30 a.m. last Friday, two days before the discovery of Masangkay’s body.

The driver, however, told barangay Lawaan I councilman Joy Tumulak, that the last time he saw Masangkay was a month ago.

Daryl claimed that from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. last Friday, he was on duty at a massage clinic somewhere along Osmeña Blvd., where he is a receptionist.

From work, he went to the gym and stayed there for an hour.

From the gym, he went to school at one of the public high schools of Talisay City. The driver is a resident of one of the subdivisions in barangay Lawaan 1.

The 72-year-old Masangkay was found dead inside his room with a single stab wound in his right throat. Police believed that he was also smothered because of the presence of the three pillows covering his face.

Binas, who was once again in the crime scene yesterday afternoon to do a review investigation there, said they still have no clue if there was only one or more “culprits” in the killing of Masangkay, who lived alone in his residence.

But what has been established already is the fact that Masangkay knew his killer or killers, said the police chief.

In an earlier interview, PO3 Mikey Espina, of the city police’s homicide section, said there was no sign of struggle in the crime scene, and that the suspect or suspects could have easily gotten inside the house through the main door, which was still left open when they came in.

Masangkay was a widower and his three children are in Ormoc, Leyte; Manila and Dubai.

His son Reggie, 32, however, went home yesterday afternoon upon knowing of the incident.

The victim was supposed to visit Reggie in Ormoc this week, but when he failed to reply to his text messages, Reggie had to send a relative living in Talisay to check his father.

It was Carl Montenegro, a cousin of Masangkay’s late wife, who called the police Sunday noon when he found the door of Masangkay’s house open and the former RSP did not answer him when he called up.

Masangkay, according to police, could have been dead more than 24 hours already because his body was already starting to decompose when discovered.

The police, as of yesterday, have yet no idea as to the motive of the killing.

Meanwhile, Biñas said they are also looking into the possibility that another person or persons, apart from the driver, could have committed the crime.

The victim still had in his possession his wallet with cash and his Nokia 1100 cellular phone.

For his part, Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division, said the Police Regional Police-7 is always ready to give support to the Talisay City Police if the latter requests so.

“We encourage parallel investigation and lateral coordination among the investigators or intelligence officers,” Buenafe said.

Masangkay’s remains now lie at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in barangay Lahug. His body is set to be cremated on Sunday. — with Niña G. Sumacot and Mylen P. Manto/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)