Accused denies part in murder of 2 women

CEBU, Philippines - During a cross examination yesterday, one of the accused in the murder of two women in Talisay City in 2008 has denied any participation in the crime.

Richard Gudelosao testified Joseph Roy Cellar murdered Maria Eva Mae Peligro and Gwendolyn Balasta.

He said when he was at the lawn, Cellar told him that he killed two women.

“I did nothing. I had a mental blackout. I couldn’t even hear or see anything,” he said in Cebuano.

Gudelosao said he never called the police to report the incident as he was in a confused state.

He said he did not see Cellar bring 13 plastic bags containing several body parts of the victims to a taxicab parked at the garage.

Gudelosao drove a taxi driver at the time.

He said before the crime was committed on July 24, 2008, he and Cellar drank.

“We drank when he returned after taking his girlfriend to pier 4 in my taxicab,” he said.

He claimed he never saw Cellar’s girlfriend even once and never saw Cellar drive a car.

“I did not bother to ask him if he had a driver’s license or if he knew how to drive because he already told me once that he had a license and he drove in Ozamis,” he said in Cebuano.

He said he and Cellar were close friends.

Gudelosao said he was surprised when they were ordered to vacate the house as they lived at the Azienda Firenze since June 1, 2007.

He admitted that they considered it their permanent home but claimed he was not bothered to look for another dwelling.

He said he has a live-in partner for more than 10 years Jean Antonette Medalle who is also an accused in the case.

Gudelosao said his live-in partner was not at home when the crime was committed as she was in Lahug.

The cross examination will resume on April 16, 2012.

Defense counsel Salvador Solima told the media his client pointed out that he was drunk and was asleep that’s why he did not see Cellar take out 13 plastic bags to the taxicab.

However, prosecution lawyer Julius Caesar Entise said based on Gudelosao’s testimony he cannot just seat down and watch, since he claimed he was fully awake.

Earlier, Cellar pleaded guilty to the murder charge filed against him.

The court sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, which is equivalent to 20 to 40 years in jail.

Peligro and Balasta were strangled to death.

Peligro lived at Azienda Firenze, in the house owned by her fiancé, the brother of Gudelosao. - THE FREEMAN