A security guard, who is the star witness in the fatal shooting of Ilog town Councilor Antonio Gequillana Jr. in Bacolod City, in July last year identified the suspect Ryan Gatoc twice as the triggerman at the hearing on his petition for bail at the Hall of Justice yesterday.

The witness told Regional Trial Court Branch 53 Judge Pepito Gellada that he was at the Eastview Hotel in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, where he is detailed, when he saw Gatoc going back and forth in the area at about 10:20 a.m. on July 27.

He added that, minutes later, he saw Gatoc shooting Gequillana from behind with a .45 caliber pistol, while the councilor was about to get into his pick-up vehicle in front of the hotel, and then flee on a motorcycle.

The witness said Gatoc was about two arms length away when he shot Gequillana, while he was about four arms length away from them at the time.

The witness also drew a sketch of how the incident took place and showed it to the judge and to members of both the defense and prosecution panels.

The Gequillana family lawyer, Lyndon Caña, said the security guard corroborated the statements of the two other witnesses presented to the court earlier that Gatoc was the triggerman in the shooting of Gequillana.

As to who is the brain, and the motive for the killing of Gequillana, Caña said, they are concentrating on having enough evidences to convict Gatoc.

He said they are optimistic that the court will not grant the petition for bail of Gatoc because the statements of the witnesses are strong to prove his guilt.

Edmundo Manlapao Sr., counsel for Gatoc, said they are set to conduct cross examination on the star witness on July 20, and will show inconsistencies in his statements. He added that they are positive that their petition for bail will be granted.

An ocular investigation at the crime scene will be conducted on July 26 to re-enact the shooting.*APN

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