CEBU, Philippines - A day after the confession of the alleged gunman of the late Cebu Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Osorio, Lyndon Horandoy retracted his earlier statement that he was Osorio’s assailant.
Horandoy signed on Thursday in front of members of the media a two-page affidavit wherein he admitted killing Osorio.
In his affidavit, Horandoy claimed that Allan Sinugat ordered him to shoot a driver at corner of Maria Gochan Street and N. Bacalso Avenue, Barangay Mambaling Cebu City on January 6, 2009. He discovered the following day that it was Osorio he killed.
On the day of Osorio’s killing, he was reportedly driving his rented habal-habal when Sinugat contracted him, wanting to be taken to Barangay Mambaling.
It was only when they were on the way to the said barangay that he was informed they were going to kill somebody.
However, in an interview over ABS-CBN Central Visayas, Horandoy claimed that Sinugat was the one who shot Osorio and not him. He said he was merely the driver of the motorcycle used in Osorio’s killing.
Horandoy also said that he feared for his life, which prompted him to “confess.” “Na dala ra to sa ka kuyaw,” he said over ABS-CBN.
Yesterday afternoon, a lawyer arrived at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and conducted a closed door conference with Horandoy. However, it was not clear who sent Horandoy his lawyer.
But City Intelligence Brach Chief Romeo Santader told The Freeman that Horandoy has not retracted his statement admitting he killed Osorio. He said Horandoy is still “very cooperative” with their investigation.
Santander, however, is aware that Horandoy is inconsistent with his statements: “Fickle minded siya.”
He claimed that someone might have directed Horandoy to change his statements to mislead authorities and the public. As to who this could be, Santander has no idea.
This is why they are not rushing their investigation, Santander said, adding that they are seeking serious legal advice in every step they will take regarding the case.
Santander clarified that there has been no changes in Horandoy’s statements regarding his confession. “We are satisfied already with what he has said,” Santander added.
The intelligence chief was, however, vague on which statement of Horandoy he was referring to. The Osorio family has asked for confidentiality to prevent jeopardizing police investigation.
Santander also said that following Horandoy’s confession, they have discovered that the motive behind the prosecutor’s killing was work related.
Horandoy, in his confession, identified a woman as the mastermind behind Osorio’s killing.
The police now have pictures of the alleged mastermind and are only waiting for official cases against the woman for the court to release the official warrant for her arrest.
They hope to file the case on Monday after they failed to do so yesterday. — /JPM (FREEMAN)