‘Missing link’ in Ramgen slay surrenders


THE suspect tagged as the “missing link” in the brutal murder of actor Ramgen Revilla surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation at 7 a.m. Tuesday.


Ryan Pastera was accompanied by an aunt and his lawyer, Melinda Salcedo, when he
appeared before NBI Deputy Director for Special Investigation Services Edmund Arugay.


He was later transferred to the bureau’s Death Investigation Division under lawyer Romulo Asis, where he gave his statement.


Asis refused to give any details on Pastera’s statement.


Pastera declined requests for an interview on his alleged involvement in Revilla’s slaying in October last year inside their BF residence in Paranaque City.


His aunt, who requested that she not be named, insisted they went to the NBI so that her nephew can defend himself and clear his name. Pastera had earlier sent surrender feelers to the NBI.


The aunt said they just learned from the media that Pastera was being implicated in Revilla’s murder. The actor was the half-brother of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.


“We brought him here at 7 a.m. We panicked because we heard on the news that [there was a warrant of arrest]. The boy had to defend himself. I mean, he is innocent,” the aunt said.


The aunt also disclosed that on Monday night, Pastera noticed unidentified people that seemed to be stalking their home. She said they opted to leave their house out of fear.


She also strongly denied her nephew’s participation or knowledge of the crime.


She said they decided to go to the NBI to seek protection from threats on her nephew’s life.


The aunt said that Pastera had already received several threats online and on social networks.


But she begged off from elaborating the kind of threats, and which social networks these threats appeared.


Pastera was also brought to the medico-legal division of the NBI to check his health.


The Parañaque City regional trial court earlier ordered the arrest of Pastera, Glaiza Visda, Norwin dela Cruz, and Revilla’s sister, Ramona, in connection with the murder.


An TV news report said Pastera’s lawyer claimed her client only learned through media that an arrest warrant had been issued against him.


The lawyer refuted reports that her client went into hiding, and insisted he merely went to the province for a vacation.


Pastera will temporary be under NBI custody until the Parañaque court decides on his detention.

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