PRO-7: Larry Ting denial "expected"

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 Director Lani-O Nerez said he was no longer surprised that Larry Ting, the alleged mastermind in the shooting of businessman Nicolas Ting, denied involvement in the crime.

“He is entitled to his own opinion. Depensa sad na niya. Ato sad i-respeto iyang opinion,” Nerez said yesterday.

He said it is already “expected” from individuals like Ting who have enjoy a “high status” in the society to deny involvement in cases such as the one Ting is facing.

What’s best to do now, Nerez said, is to leave the matter to court.

Nerez said they are confident that the case against Ting is strong with the extra-judicial confession of Edwin Juab, the supposed gunman. Nerez said Juab’s testimony is the strongest evidence against Ting.

Nerez said their focus now is on the shooting of Nicolas’ elder brother Manuel who was ambushed in Cebu City barely 24 hours after Nicolas was ambushed in Mandaue City on June 21.

He said the Task Force Ting headed by Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division, is currently pursuing the gunman.

Manuel, 72, was driving home when he was ambushed by a lone gunman in Barangay Tisa last June 22. He died of several gunshot wounds on his body.

Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested in line with the attack on Nicolas - Ting, Juab, the 16-year-old gunman, and Jordan Miral who drove the motorcycle.

Yesterday afternoon, Ting posted a surety bond of P200,000 for the frustrated murder case filed against him. This was confirmed by Eva Calipayan, clerk of court of the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City.

The 16-year-old gunman who, police said, have acted with discernment on the incident, was taken to the Operations Second Chance while Juab and Miral, who were unable to post bail, were committed to the Mandaue City Jail. — Niña G. Sumacot and Flor Z. Perolina/JMO (THE FREEMAN)