Former SK chief surfaces, denies 'hitman' tag in murder of fire marshal
A former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and barangay Kagawad of Maasin, Iloilo surrendered yesterday following reports naming him as "hitman" of a celebrated murder.
Seeking the help of father and son, Third District Board Member Mariano Malones Sr. and Maasin Mayor-son, Mariano Malones Jr., Michael Mediana faced Capitol reporters.
"I am innocent... I was not even here when it happened... I was just told by my friends... If I had money for my fare back to Iloilo, I would have gone home to clear my name earlier," Mediana said in local dialect.
The former SK chairman was joined in the press conference by Mayor Malones and Councilor Francisco Amboy. He was presented to the media by Board Member Malones.
Malones Sr. in a statement said they welcomed the surrender of Mediana if only to help clarify his side. Malones Jr. when asked said he backs the innocent plea of Mediana and went further to say that a lawyer will be provided.
A picture was apparently shown to witnesses that led to the implication of the 31 year-old Maasin resident.
At the time of the murder, he clarified that he was in Maramag, Bukidnon and showed a Negros Navigation ticket to prove his August 5 trip.
Mayor Malones in helping Mediana said he knows the background of the supposed suspect as one with no criminal record.
City's top cops were apparently informed of Mediana's surrender. With no pending arrest warrant issued, Mediana will stay in the custody of the town officials.
The victim, Provincial Fire Marshal Chief Casiano Del Castillo was gunned down by his family home in Arevalo, Iloilo City. It was believed to be a handiwork of guns-for-hire.
Mediana said he himself is at a loss as to how his name got linked in said murder.
Two motorcycle-riding men shot dead Del Castillo last Aug. 22. Before he was shot dead, Del Castillo divulged several anomalies in the fire bureau.
Among the anomalies he mentioned were missing firearms, projects that did not go through bidding and overpriced purchase of fire trucks.
When still alive, there were charges and counter-charges between Del Castillo and retired fire regional director Edgar Gimotea.
Earlier, two Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel and one witness in the killing of Del Castillo have received threats days after the killing.
City police director Sr. Supt. Bartolome Tobias said the two BFP personnel may hold vital leads in the case.
But Tobias did not elaborate on the threats, saying they are securing the personnel and "validating" the threats against them.
Also, Quezon Arevalo village captain Oscar Montaño reported that two motorcycle-riding men made rounds on their residence midnight of Monday two weeks ago.
Montaño is considered a vital witness in the killing of Del Castillo.
He reportedly saw the faces of the triggerman and the accomplice at the crime scene.
Police so far have two witnesses and are hoping to get more to pin down the suspects in Del Castillo's murder.