Despite setback Guv confident in case against cult leader

CEBU, Philippines -  The murder case against the controversial cult leader in Balamban town remains strong despite the seeming uncertainty of the illegal detention case.

This was the assurance of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III following the return of th e supposed victim of illegal detention to the villa of Casiano "Tatay Boy" Apduhan, the cult leader.

"Well kung mao na nga mibalik siya maglisod ta sa prosecution. Maglisod ta sa pag-prove sa illegal detention, but I'm confident nga katong usa ka kaso, katong murder will stick," Davide said.

Apduhan is facing a murder charge after remains of a 15-year-old boy identified as Angelo Repuela was found buried deep inside a 30-foot tunnel under his house. The remains were unearthed during an operation conducted by the Provincial Women's Commission and personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation-7 supposedly to rescue the woman believed to have been detained there.

Aside from the murder charge, Apduhan is also facing charges for alleged violation of the expanded anti-trafficking in person law over allegations of forced labor, as alleged by Angelo's parents.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, chairman of the PWC, earlier said the Technical Working Group of the PWC and the NBI-7 are also investigating the cause of Angelo's death to support the murder case.

Last Monday, however, Magpale reported that the supposed victim of illegal detention has returned to Apduhan's villa in Barangay Buanoy in Balamban after she was released from PWC custody, a development that may be disadvantageous for the prosecution because the victim's testimony would determine whether or not she was indeed detained illegally.

Davide, himself, finds the situation unfortunate.

"Sayang lang gyod. Usik kaayo. I hope the woman will realize nga kanang iyang pagbalik is a mistake on her part. Kinahanglan kanang tawhana should be prosecuted for detaining her. Pero ang problema pod ana, on the other hand, if she willingly allowed herself to be detained, wa tay mabuhat ana," Davide added.  (FREEMAN)