A FIREMAN linked to the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) surrendered to authorities after several months of hiding.
But SFO1 Richard Sacedon of Parian Fire Sub-Station said he did not hide but was attending school and was on duty. “Wala ko kaila anang namatay ug wala g’yud koy kalibutan ana (I don’t know him and I’m innocent),” Sacedon said.
Sacedon and his nephew James Fernandez were charged with murder on June 13 for allegedly shooting to death OFW Ramil Onod Empleo, and dumping the victim’s body in Sitio Inad, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.
The two allegedly connived with Haide Empleo, wife of Ramil, in killing the latter last April 14 in Barangay Liburon, Carcar City.
The three witnesses, whose names were withheld by the police for security reasons, said they saw Sacedon, Fernandez and Haide on the evening of the same day when Ramil was killed in their house.
The witnesses said Sacedon and Fernandez were carrying a body, while Haide was carrying a flashlight.
Based on the initial investigation of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Sacedon was allegedly Haide’s lover.
Both Sacedon and Fernandez are now detained at Carcar City Jail.
Sacedon and Fernandez surrendered to Judge Marivic Daray of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 yesterday morning.
Lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo, the suspects’ counsel, said they chose to have his clients surrender to RTC rather than to the police for security reasons.
He, however, said that the decision of his clients to surrender does not mean they admitted to killing Ramil.