By Jennifer P. Rendon
One of the five identified suspects in the Sept 14, 2022 killings in Estancia, Iloilo denied any involvement in the deaths of three young businessmen.
In an interview over Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo, Michael Porras, a dispatcher at the town’s transport terminal, was a face of bewilderment as to why he was implicated in the case.
The incident resulted in the deaths of young entrepreneurs Mark Clarenz Libao, Jan Paul Mark Bosque, and Chrysler Floyd Fernandes.
Given that his name is a common one, Porras believes that he may have been mistaken by authorities for the real culprit.
“Sang una may kapangalan ko nga Michael Porras pero ako ya inosente ko nga Michael Porras diri sa terminal,” he said
But based on the charge sheet, the 44-year-old Michael Porras charged with three counts of murder has the same address as he does.
Amid the accusation, Porras stressed that he earns money through legal means
“Legal di ya ang pangpangita ko sang kwarta sa Estancia. Indi ko ya dapat madawit kay nagapangabuhi ko ya sang insakto,” he said.
And most of all, “indi ko ya kabalo magpatay tawo. Kag wala ko ya record sa Estancia Police Station (I am not capable of killing. I have no record with the Estancia Police Station).”
But he admitted surrendering through Oplan Tokhang a few weeks back.
When asked if he knew Jevron Parohinog, his co-accused, Porras said he didn’t know him personally but only heard about him and his father since they’re a prominent family in Estancia.
The murder case against five suspects, Porras included, and six John Does were filed before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, Nov 18.
Around a week before that, police allegedly visited Porras. He did not go into details about what they discussed but he was allegedly told that authorities would help him out.
Major Nestor Bacuyag, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) spokesperson, said that he has yet to confirm if the one interviewed is the same Porras that was charged before the prosecutor.
But based on information, Porras was allegedly the person who flagged down the victims’ Isuzu MuX sports utility vehicle (SUV) before they were repeatedly shot at Brgy. Villa Pani-an, Estancia.
Aside from Porras, police also charged lone survivor Jevron Parohinog, his brother Jix; Michael Quiatchon, Benzen Llamado, and six John Does.
Authorities have been investigating Jevron in the case for his alleged debts to Bosque.
But Jevron’s camp claimed that it is Bosque that owed him money.