Van dispatcher says Tupas behind 'forced statement' vs. Sara cop
A 29 year-old dispatcher of L-300 vans plying Sara – Iloilo City vice-versa routes now had a change of mind about alleged extortion in Northern Iloilo.
As such, Arnold Decolongon of Ajuy, Iloilo retracted statements he supposedly made on the matter last June 17th.
The retraction went further as Decolongon tagged Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. as the man behind the purported "forced statement."
In a two-paged Affidavit of Retraction obtained by The News Today (TNT), Decolongon said he was "forcibly and under threat caused to execute an affidavit."
He also said such affidavit was "drafted, prepared and without my complete knowledge under fear for my life I was only made to sign, and without knowing and understanding what are the contents…"
Decolongon also decried possession of said affidavit by Governor Tupas which he learned only as per the governor's radio interviews.
The retraction then narrated incident that supposedly led to his being picked up and brought to a police station in the north.
"….after which I was made to sign and I have no balls to complain or resist under the circumstance except to sign…" he said while adding, "…it was the last time I saw that affidavit until I heard over the radio the interview of Governor Niel Tupas that my affidavit was already with him which was read in the air (sic)."
Decolongon also said he personally heard Governor Tupas giving instruction for him to sign the now questioned-affidavit.
"That until now I cannot understand why Governor Tupas was interested of my affidavit when he is not a police or a fiscal nor a prosecuting arm of the government," he continued. "that in view thereof, whatever that kind of affidavit that Governor TUPAS is holding and mentioning me as affiant, I am REPUDIATING and RETRACTING the voluntariness of the execution of that affidavit through this voluntary, free from any duress, fear or intimidation and of my free will and volition affidavit of retraction."