Rotorases ask police to probe widow, kin

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .

RELATIVES of slain University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras have asked the police to subject the victim’s family members, including his widow, to an investigation.

In a three-page letter sent to city police director Senior Supt. Nelson Aganon, the Rotoras family asked that the murdered academic’s widow Zarahlynn and her lawyer be considered as persons of interest “like all of us.”

The letter, dated April 30, was signed by  Gorgonia Jariole, Genonides Rotoras, Angelita Achacoso, Romulo Rotoras, Rainero Rotoras;

Eldie Brando Rotoras, Sulpecio Jariole, Ramon Achacoso, Virginia Rotoras, Marivic Rotoras, Ronald Rotoras;

Roxanne Rotoras, Marianne Lei Rotoras, Marla Bianca Rotoras,  Jessa Mae Rotoras, Jesson Brando Rotoros;

Jerel Roi Rotoras, Jerel Ian Rotoras, Francis Jariole, Patrick Jariole;

Cristine Marie Madrid, Norielynn Lumanta, Ellen Grace Achacoso, Lyndon Achacoso, Evelyn Rotoras and Kriznalyn Lao.

The Rotorases also sent copies of the letter to President Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara.

Reads part of the letter: “It is our humble submission that the spouse of Ricardo E. Rotoras and her counsel should also be included in the investigation. Both persons, like all of us, should be considered persons of interest.”

Dr. Rotoras’s brother Eldie said his family was bothered over the way the victim reacted following the shooting death of the academic, and her seeming lack of interest in seeking justice.

Rotoras was shot and killed outside his home at Golden Glow Subdivision in Upper Carmen past 1 am on Dec. 2, 2017.

Quoting his slain brother’s driver Jonathan Mabaylan Khobuntin, Eldie said the victim and Zarahlynn had an argument while they were attending a gathering at N Hotel before the gun attack. He said Zarahlynn then left the hotel ahead of the academic.

Eldie said it was observed that her sister-in-law’s reaction was unusual when she was informed that her husband was shot.

“Gi-ingnan lang niya ang ilang driver nga dalha na sa hospital,” said Eldie, noting that it even took some time for Zarahlynn to follow them to the hospital.

He said his family also took note that the CCTV camera outside the house of Dr. Rotoras was not functional at the time of the gun attack while those inside the house were in “good condition.”

“Sa gawas ra wala,” Eldie said.

Eldie said another observation was that the widow did not show signs that she was in grief during the first night of the wake, and she was even seen supposedly exchanging high fives and laughing with her friends.

He also alleged that Zaralynn allegedly prevented from pushing through a prayer rally he organized at the USTP when the then Senate President Aquilino Martin Pimentel III was here. He said the prayer rally would have been staged to drum up support to calls for justice.