MANILA, Philippines–A tearful suspect in the December 3 robbery of Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito’s staff members was presented to him on Tuesday at his office in the Senate.
Two male staff members of the senator positively identified the suspect, 22-year-old vendor Emil Joseph Dianela, as the one who robbed them while they were inside a taxi along Quirino Avenue in Manila around 8 p.m. last Wednesday.
One of the four victims, Kathleen Tan, the lone female passenger of the taxi, was shot in the leg during the robbery.
The suspect, however, strongly denied robbing the victims.
“Nagtitinda lang po ako ng sigarilyo, paano po ako magkakaroon ng baril?” Dianela said.
(I’m just a cigarette vendor, how could I possibly have a gun?)
“Wala po akong ginagawang masama,” he added.
(I’m not doing anything wrong.)
The suspect, who was arrested Monday night, was presented to the senator by Superintendent Romeo Macapaz, Ermita station commander of the Manila Police District.
Ejercito is a son of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
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