THE family of slain businessman Antonio Ouano will issue a public statement on his murder nearly a month after it occurred, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said yesterday.
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Mandaue City police chief, said Julito Alvarez, the lawyer of Ouano’s son Tonypet called him last Saturday to inform him about a press conference they scheduled at 10:30 a.m today.
Gillamac said the family kept their silence and decided to tell all in the press conference to be held at his office.
He said he hopes the family will announce the granting of reward money for information on Ouano’s killers.
“Money sometimes could motivate people to tell the truth but sometimes they can also create lies. I hope it has something to do with the reward money to help the police solve the case,” Gillamac said.
He said they need more information and witnesses to build their case.
“We believe there are witnesses who may not want to get involved since they are scared,” he said.
Gillamac said they will evaluate the testimonies of the witnesses to see if they can be endorsed to the witness protection program of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Police said they have three potential witnesses in Ouano’s murder but none of them got a clear view of the shooter in the July 22 ambush that claimed the life of the businessman.
A tricycle driver said he saw the assailant tucking his gun in the waist after the shooting incident before speeding off on a motorcycle.
Another described a man suspiciously entering and watching the Hall of Justice, where Ouano had just attended a hearing.
The third, Ouano’s secretary Nene Mangubat, was in the Toyota Hi-Lux driven by the victim. She told police she didn’t get a good look at the assailants. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos