Recantation won't help alleged thief

CEBU, Philippines- Although suspect Ramses Abatayo has retracted his earlier statement, it will not clear Julius Racaza from his involvement in the crime, Insp. Hugo Rio Ipong of the Talisay City Police Station said.

Ipong said they have witnesses to prove that Racaza was hanging around near the house of Provincial Board member Julian Daan in Palmview Village, barangay Tabunok last Monday morning when Ramses Abatayo divested the couple of jewelry worth P1.2 million.

Abatayo, during his arrest last Tuesday, tagged Racaza as his accomplice.

He also claimed that Racaza might have taken the missing white gold choker necklace of Daan's wife, Yolly, and Daan's expensive watch.

Except for these items, police recovered the loot in Abatayo's house during his arrest.

Racaza however maintained his innocence on the crime and that he was in barangay Lagtang when the robbery was pulled out.

In last Wednesday's inquest proceeding at the Talisay City Prosecutor's office, Abatayo recanted his earlier statement and said he only linked Racaza because of an old grudge.

Both have been charged with robbery with violence and intimidation in the fiscal's office.

Meanwhile, the recovered pieces of jewelry were turned over to the Talisay City prosecutor's office for custody.

They will remain there pending the resolution of the case or the Daans would file a motion for the release of these, and the court would grant it.