Namesake of suspect meets city police to clear his name

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – A middle-aged man bearing the same name of one of two suspects in the celebrated murder of Dumaguete-based lawyer Archer Baldwin Martinez, who was gunned down last year in this capital city, has appeared at the city police station to clear his name.

Emmanuel T. Banaay, 52, married and resident of Manalongon in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, met with Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, chief of the City Police, on Monday after he heard his “name” being mentioned in a television news report as one of two respondents in the murder case filed by police last Friday.

Banaay said the news report, which was also aired on radio and printed in local dailies, has caused his family sleepless nights and endless worry. Friends and relatives called or sent them text messages showing their concern after the news had spread, he said.

Also, his son, named Kenneth Emmanuel Banaay who studies at Silliman University, has been affected by the news reports, Banaay said.

It turned out that the suspect being referred to in the murder case was not the same Banaay who met with Tolentino on Monday.

Tolentino confirmed that the Banaay he met did not come close to match the murder suspect’s description, age and other information.

A photograph of the suspect, acquired by the City Police earlier, shows that Mr. Banaay from Sta. Catalina was not the same as the suspect, Emmanuel “Manuel” Banaay, who is from Lapu-lapu City in Cebu province, said Tolentino.

The police official said the suspect is described to be between 30 to 40 years old, with fair complexion, very short hair and of medium built, while the Banaay from Sta. Catalina is 52 years old, stocky built, dark-skinned and with medium-length and wavy hair.

Tolentino has assured the Banaay from Sta. Catalina of his and his family’s safety and had even ordered his appearance at the police station to be recorded in the police blotter.

Tolentino further vowed to Banaay from Sta. Catalina that the family and counsels of the slain Martinez are aware that he is not the suspect Banaay from Lapu-Lapu City.

Last Friday, the police filed murder charges against “Manuel” Banaay of Lapu-lapu City and a “John Doe”, the alleged triggerman, for the killing of lawyer Martinez on August 5 last year.

The suspects are still at-large although Tolentino said the police already have a lead as to the identity of the triggerman but he refused to divulge other information to avoid compromising their case.  - THE FREEMAN