More witnesses to Customs men's murder surface

CEBU CITY — More witnesses are coming out to testify on the slay of Deputy Customs Collector Eduardo Lao and Examiner Bennet Sereño.

After a 42-year-old laundrywoman last Friday identified alleged killer Juan Jesus Vergel de Dios as the one she saw strafing Lao’s vehicle on July 24, two more witnesses are expected to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today to identify de Dios and co-accused Rustico Fernandez.

NBI acting regional director Reynaldo Esmeralda revealed that the new witnesses are a nun and a social worker.

Esmeralda also said a member of the media has approached the NBI last week offering to bring two witnesses reportedly present at the crime scene.

This will bring to seven the number of witnesses the NBI already has under its protective custody.

Charges for three counts of murder and frustrated murder were filed against Fernandez and de Dios yesterday afternoon. While de Dios opted to be detained at the NBI, the bureau has already transferred Fernandez to the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center last Saturday.

Lao and Sereño were on board a blue Isuzu Trooper on their way to Lao’s house when two men on board a Yamaha motorbike opened fire on the victims when they stopped for a red light at the corner of Osmeña Boulevard and R. Landon Street last July 24.

A student, Alain Dave Ravina, was also killed by a stray bullet in the incident. – Freeman News Service