Cops zero in on three men last seen with Masangkay

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Police is pursuing three men who were allegedly last seen with the later former Regional State Prosecutor Hernando Masangkay last Friday afternoon.

Talisay Police Chief, Supt. Henry Biñas said three young men were seen drinking inside Masangkay’s house in Camella Homes Subdivision last Friday.

Two days later, Masangkay was found dead inside his room with a stab wound on his throat. Authorities said the victim had been dead for at least 24 hours.

Biñas said it appears that the suspect knows Masangkay because there was no indication the suspect forced his way into the house. Police is also considering the possibility that personal grudge prompted the killing.

Last Sunday night, shortly after Masangkay's body was found, his 17-year-old driver, who at that time was linked to the case, showed up to the police station and submitted himself to questioning.

The driver admitted that he worked for Masangkay but on an "on call" basis, and that the last time he drove for him was a month ago. The police had to free the minor for there was no evidence to hold him further.

In an earlier interview, Biñas said they may have to invite the minor again because some of his statements are reportedly inconsistent. The boy was also allegedly last seen by Masangkay’s neighbors at the victim's house last Friday.

Masangkay, 72, a widower, had been living solo for quite sometime. His children who are now living outside Cebu would call him every now and then. It was his third son Reggie, 32, who first noticed that something was wrong when Masangkay would not answer his text messages and phone calls.

Reggie, now based in Ormoc, then sent his cousin Carl Stephen Montenegro who lives in barangay Tangke, Talisay to check on Masangkay.

It was Montenegro who sought police assistance when he saw that the main door to Masangkay's house was open, but no one seemed to be at home.

Operatives of the Scene of the Crime Operatives later discovered Masangkay lying lifeless on his bed inside his room. – THE FREEMAN