Siman not into gun-for-hire – relatives

MANILA, Philippines - The family of alleged gambling lord Victorino Siman denied yesterday that he was involved in a gun-for-hire crime group.

Siman’s relatives were still in shock over his death when print and broadcast journalists arrived to interview them at their home in Barangay Maunong, Calamba City, Laguna yesterday morning.

Siman’s father Rudy, 71, refused to be interviewed and appealed to journalists to respect their grief over his son’s death.

The elder Siman told them that the family has no knowledge of what the authorities were saying that his son was involved in gun-for-hire activities.

The family and relatives, along with neighbors and friends, were gathered in the living room where the white coffin bearing Siman’s body was placed.

Journalists, who arrived in a convoy around 11 a.m., were not allowed to enter the house.

A neighbor who refused to be identified said the family and relatives were traumatized by Siman’s death and the reports that followed regarding his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

“Let’s respect the family’s request to leave them alone, at least until the burial. They don’t want to be interviewed just yet,” a man, who identified himself as a spokesman for the family, said.

He said Siman’s remains arrived in Barangay Maunong Monday night, along with the other victims from the village.

Aside from Siman, three other village residents – Gerry Siman, Leonardo Marasigan, and Conrado Decillo – were among the 13 killed in the shootout that occurred Sunday in a checkpoint at the border of Plaridel and Atimonan towns in Quezon province.

Jumar Siman Tayadon, 25, who claimed to be a nephew, approached the journalists gathered outside the house and asked them not to take photographs.

Tayadon read a prepared message from his cellphone that said: “Walang katotohanan ang paratang nila sa amin na gun-for-hire ang pamilyang Siman. Gaga-gawa lamang po ng pulis. Malinis po ang record ng pamilyang Siman, salamat po! (There’s no truth to allegations that the Siman family is involved in gun-for-hire activities. These were merely fabricated by the police. The Siman family has a clean record, thank you).”

Tayadon left before the journalists could ask any questions.