No case filed yet, family hires own investigators
Atty. Leonardo Jiz
Iloilo City -- While the police has yet to identify suspects in the celebrated Tan massacre, the Tan family's own investigators have allegedly figured two possible suspects in the gruesome killings.
This was revealed by lawyer Leonardo Jiz, counsel and spokesperson of the Tan family in a press conference at his law office Tuesday.
Jiz refused to name their own suspects but he implied that one has already fled out of Iloilo.
He also refused to categorically say whether any of the suspects is a member of the family, household staff or a security guard.
Jiz said the Tan family hired their own investigators composed of retired members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and retired policemen from Metro Manila to come out with an independent investigation.
He however clarified that the family's investigators are comparing notes with the elements from Police Regional Office 6 and the 6th Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
He said they are still fully supporting the investigations being conducted by authorities.
In the same press conference Jiz belied rumors that the Tan family offered to pay P10 million to "some (police) investigators" to conceal the truth in the massacre.
Jiz said there is no truth to speculations as they are closely coordinating with the police to get the killers of Bobby, Cindy and their daughter Cathy.
"Its a no-no deal, there is no such offer to police," said Jiz.
PRO 6 regional director Doroteo Reyes II has yet to issue a statement regarding the rumors on grease money allegedly given to probers. Camp Delgado is expected to release their reaction on the speculations.
Jiz stressed the family had cooperated with the police since the first day of the investigation. He said they want that justice be served to the victims even if it involves Archie and John Michael, Tan's two sons by first marriage.
The lawyer said, police were given a free hand to pick up whatever evidences get could get inside the house. However, he said, the family positions one of their representatives whenever the police conduct or take some evidences inside the house. This to bar the investigators from putting additional evidence or bringing out evidence without the knowledge of the family, said Jiz.
He also said they are contemplating of putting up a reward to those who can relay vital information which could lead to the arrest of the killers. The exact figure of the prize money will be known after the burial of the three victims, he said.
Bobby, his wife Cindy and daughter will be laid to rest on January 18, 2006 after an 8:30 a.m. mass at the Sta. Maria Parish Church. They will be buried at the Forest Lake Memorial Garden in Mandurriao.
Jiz said the reward would be given to the informant regardless even if Archie and John Michael would be pinpointed. Justice should be served to the victims, he said.
The lawyer also denied reports that there are already two available plane tickets for Archie and John Michael to flee to the United States of America after the burial. Jiz said it is their mother Darlene Mercado who arrived in the country.