Guard denies hand in attack

CEBU, Philippines - A man whose features matched with that of the gunman who attacked Crisanta Lauro last week voluntarily went to the Cebu City Intelligence Branch Saturday to clear his name.

Aljon Ala, 32, of Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City went to the office of Chief Insp. Romeo Santander to clarify that he was not involved in the shooting incident at corner of V. Sotto St. and Sergio Osmeña Blvd. in Tinago, Cebu City last week.

“Saksi ang Ginoo dili ako maong nitahan gyud dayon ko kay pamilyado baya ta,” he said.

Ala explained that he was at home when the incident happened and he does not know Eser and Lauro.

Ala, a security guard, was formerly assigned at the Cebu Provincial Capitol under Spectrum Security Agency before he was transferred to Duty Free Philippines.

Lauro, live-in partner of Pio V. Corpus Mayor Hermigildo  Betonio of Masbate and his sister, Councilor Leny Betonio Eser were shot by two men on board a motorcycle just a few minutes after they got out of the boat that they took from Masbate to Cebu City.

Lauro died of a gunshot wound in the chest while Eser sustained a wound in her left hand.

Santander said Eser described the gunman and when they checked the rogues’ gallery, the gunman’s features matched with Ala’s.

But when the police told Ala to put on a jacket and a cap, Eser was no longer certain if Ala was indeed the gunman.

“Kalit ra kaayo ko nakalingi unya nidagan na ang taxi,” Eser said.

Eser suspected that the attack had something to do with politics because of the intense rivalry in Masbate.

“Wala ko kabalo ug kinsa ang nagpaluyo pero politika gyud siguro gyud ni kay kusog among grupo, possible giinitan mi,” she said.

Eser, however, refused to comment on Lauro’s personal life.

Lauro, was the estranged wife of Charry Mangacop, former mayor of Placer, Surigao del Norte.

He left Mangacop last December and lived with Betonio.  She was four months pregnant when she died.

Santander said they have a good development of the case and assured to arrest the gunman as soon as possible.  — /MBG (FREEMAN)