Suspect Annshiela denies role in Jang Lucero slay

Annshiela Belarmino on Wednesday denied involvement in the killing of part-time driver Jang Lucero, the present partner of her ex-girlfriend.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” Belarmino was seen in a relevant CCTV footage taken before Lucero was killed.

The photo of her tattoo, which Belarmino posted on social media, was also one of the key pieces of evidence that led Calamba policemen in arresting her.

However, Belarmino denied her role in the killing and said she was not the woman in the CCTV footage.

“Hindi po ako ‘yong nasa video. Puwedeng katulad lang ng buhok ko or ginaya ‘yong tattoo ko dahil noong time na ‘yon ay wala ako doon at nakikipag-inuman ako sa ibang lugar,” Belarmino said.

“Alam ko na lalabas din ‘yong totoo. Sisiguraduhin kong ‘di ako ‘yon at alam ko sa sarili kong inosente ako,” she added.

Belarmino, meanwhile, confirmed she had a relationship with Lucero's present girlfriend last February 2020 but they broke up a month after finding out her girlfriend and Lucero were patching things up.

“Ex-girlfriend (ako noong girlfriend ni Jang.) Ako ‘yong nakipag-break kasi nalaman kong nakikipag-ayos pala siya kay Jang nang hindi ko naman alam. Nagkakasama talaga sila. Hindi ko naman alam na sa pagsasama nila, nag-aayos na pala sila, hindi ko po alam kaya nakipaghiwalay po ako," Belarmino said.

“Nasaktan po ako pero hindi totally kasi hindi ko pa naman siya mahal na mahal eh. Hindi ko naman siya mahal nang sobra eh,” she added.

However, despite her denial, the Philippine National Police said the case against Belarmino is "airtight."

“She can always tell kung ano ‘yong gusto niya but as far as the investigation of the PNP is concerned, we are very definite that we have a strong case against her. There are witnesses na nandoon mismo noong sumakay siya at na-identify siya sa CCTV na siya nga si Ann. Another witness na nakakita mismo doon sa crime scene, alighting from the vehicle ng biktima," PRO IV-A regional director Brigadier General Vic Danao said.

"Baka magkaroon ng positive DNA testing na ‘yong presence mismo ni Ann doon sa crime scene," he added.

Moreover, a source handed GMA News a photo of Belarmino with the other three suspects.

“Every suspek doon ay may kaniya-kaniyang participation. ‘Yong isa could be humawak doon kay Jang. ‘Yong isa could be humawak and sumaksak o it could be also na silang tatlo ‘yong humawak and sumaksak.," Danao said.

"Nai-file na natin ‘yong case and ‘pag lumabas ang warrant niyan, it will be another story. Eh ngayon kung wala ka namang direct participation sa killing talaga edi mas maganda na you tell your story and tell the truth. You could be a state witness doon sa kaso," he added.

It can be recalled that the body of Lucero was stabbed to death inside her car last June 8 along Bypass Road in Calamba, Laguna.

She was laid to rest last July 6. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News