Farmer says ‘sorry’ for shooting Canadian ‘uncle’

After a night  in jail,  46-year-old  farmer  Rolando Aburot yesterday poured out his grief and remorse over killing Canadian Darcy Hanz Reutenberg.

“I’m sorry kaayo,  Uncle,”  Aburot said, referring to his  53-year-old  friend.

He said they had known each  for more than 15 years, and that he called Retuentberg “Uncle.”

In the Cebu City police office, Aburot recounted Reutenberg’s efforts to help poor families like his in the mountain barangay.

Aburot, his wife Marilyn and their eldest 17-year-old son were arrested by police yesterday after the  Canadian’s body was found buried in a pit for charcoal making in their farm in the mountain barangay of Adalwaon, Cebu City.

Aburot said Reutenberg was a good man except when he got drunk,  and that  they grappled for possession of the foreigner’s gun during a drinking session last June 26 in the farm.

Aburot said he wouldn’t have shot the Canadian in the head if his friend had not brandished  his gun. Before this, the farmer  had asked to be paid for his services in building a rest house for Reutenberg near his house. The Canadian refused and they ended up fighting.

Aburot said he accepted his being locked in jail   but worried about what would happen to  his five children.  Aburot appealed to  Adlawon barangay officials to  look after them.

Retuenberg was described as a Christian missionary who visited Cebu once or twice a year and stayed at an apartment in Mandaue City.    His laptop was  recovered by police from a buyer in downtown Cebu City.  The farmer’s wife had sold it for P8,0000. Aburot said his wife and son had nothing to do with the murder since he told them about it three days later. Correspondent Chito Aragon