Ramirez submits counter-affidavit

CEBU, Philippines - Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, who has long been held by the police as responsible for the death of his head of security Edelberto Abao Sr., has filed his counter-affidavit before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

“I vehemently deny the contradictory, baseless, fabricated, and unfounded and hearsay allegations made by complainant and his witnesses,” Ramirez said in his counter-affidavit.

He said in the afternoon of December 27, 2010 he, Abao and two watchmen were at the improvised shooting range constructed by Abao near his house to practice shooting.

Later, he went inside the house to shower while Abao continued firing.

At around 9 p.m. Ramirez and members of the Mayor’s Squad went to Barangay Poblacion passing by the market area situated in the New Medellin Town Estate behind the municipal hall. From there they went to the docks where he spent almost an hour checking on the peace and order.

Upon observing that the place was generally peaceful, he made his way back to the public market and got there around 11 p.m.

He asked the squad members where Abao was and was told Abao had gone to a store to buy load for his cellular phone. When Abao returned Ramirez said he noticed Abao was looking pale and just told him to stay put while they conducted a roving patrol.

Ramirez said during the patrol they heard a man suddenly shout and rushed to where they heard it. They saw Abao slumped back on a plastic chair with his head face-up. Thinking Abao was really tired the mayor told his men to let him rest, but one of them, a certain Allen Setenta, said Abao looked too pale and tried to wake him up.

After Allen came to the conclusion that Abao had a heart attack he instructed others to press the pressure points of Abao’s hand to revive him.

Abao later woke up and Ramirez asked him what happened. Abao allegedly told him he has been shot and pointed to a gunshot wound in his right leg.

Ramirez ordered Abao be brought to the hospital where Abao died a few days later.

Ramirez also commented that the complainant and his witness against him have no credibility as it was “political influences” that motivate the charges against him.

Ramirez added that the homicide case filed against him has no proof and no probable cause because the witnesses said Abao was hit by a stray bullet and not shot by him. (FREEMAN NEWS)