Man offers "info" on Ouano killing

CEBU, Philippines - A day after the Ouano family dangled a P1 million reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of persons involved in the death of businessman Antonio “Tony”Ouano, a man appeared at the Office of the Investigative and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) claiming to have “knowledge” about the killing.

IDMB chief PC/Insp. Rex Lomente said a 32-year-old security guard from Consolacion town went to his office last Tuesday evening claiming he knows the people behind the killing of the businessman.

The security guard, whose name is being withheld pending a background check, told police that last August 16, days prior to the death of Ouano, he was having a drink inside a small establishment along the Basak national highway.

He alleged that while drinking, he overheard two persons who were sitting in another table, mentioning the name of the person who was to kill the businessman, a cousin of Mayor Jonas Cortes, near the Cebu International Convention Center.

He claimed that since he didn’t want to complicate his life, he just disregarded what he had heard.

He said days later, he dreamt he was seeing a policeman, and this bothered his conscience, and it was this reason why he came to the IDMB office.

He said he is aware of the reward but he is not after it because he just wants justice for the businessman’s family.

Lomente said the guard is not being considered a witness because his claims are inadmissible in court.

However, his statement can be used as lead in the investigation but subject for verification especially that he has offered a person’s name, which the police would not divulge.

Lomente said his statement has to be substantiated.

Earlier, MCPO director Sr./Supt Noel Gillamac said the P1million reward money can make people lie and for this reason the police have to be extra careful in handling information to prevent picking the wrong people. (FREEMAN)