Slain PUP exec's widow talks to police 2 months after ambush

MANILA, Philippines - The widow of Polytechnic University of the Philippines official Augustus Cezar finally met with police investigators almost two months after he was killed in an ambush, police said yesterday.

Irene Cezar conferred with investigators of the Manila Police District Friday night and promised to assist the police in solving her husband’s murder, according to homicide section chief Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo.

Friday’s meeting was the first time a member of Cezar’s family talked to police since his killing in October, De Ocampo added. Cezar, 64, was the PUP vice president for administration and secretary of the university’s Board of Regents at the time of his death.

De Ocampo said Cezar’s family, based in Aklan province, had observed the 30-day mourning period before coming out in the open.

According to De Ocampo, the widow is questioning the failure of the police to arrest the killers of her husband. “I explained to her the police are not sleeping on their job, and in fact have a set of suspects. However, we cannot arrest anybody in the absence of sworn affidavits from witnesses,” De Ocampo said.

The STAR learned that several witnesses are reluctant to put their statements in writing.

De Ocampo said Irene has no inkling of whoever was behind her husband’s killing. However, she pledged to provide any form of assistance to police and even witnesses to hasten the solution of the case.      

Cezar was ambushed by two gunmen riding a motorcycle while his car was stopped at a traffic light at the corner of Ramon Magsaysay and Pureza streets in Sta. Mesa, Manila.