Miner doubts Vic Siman had money, gold during Atimonan shootout

Published January 21, 2013 12:04pm

The Bicol miner who met with alleged jueteng operator Victor Siman hours before the supposed Atimonan shootout which left 13 people dead said he doubts if Siman was carrying money when the bloodbath happened.

In an interview with GMA News' John Consulta aired on Unang Balita Monday, Ronnie Habitan confirmed meeting with Siman about 6:30 a.m. on January 6, hours before the supposed encounter occurred. They met at Habitan's residence in Camarines Norte. Habitan said they discussed details about Golden Nor Security Agency Inc, which they were planning to set up.

Under their agreement, Habitan will sit as the agency's president, Siman as its vice president, and Supt. Alfred Consemino as its general manager and marketing manager. Both Siman and Consemino were among the fatalities in the Atimonan incident.

In his affidavit, Habitan said that Siman tried asking an initial P4 million from him to cover operational expenses for their security agency. Habitan said he refused to give Siman money. He did not give a reason for his refusal.

"Walang perang nawawala kasi wala naman akong binigay na pera. Walang gintong nawawala kasi wala naman kami pinag-usapan noong pumunta siya dito," Habitan said.

Rumors earlier circulated that there were money and gold in the ill-fated convoy that traveled from Camarines Norte to Atimonan, Quezon, where it was flagged down by soldiers and policemen manning a checkpoint there. Consemino's daughter, Christine, earlier said that his father was carrying at least P5 million during the trip which was meant for his father's "business venture."

Police ground commander Supt. Hansel Marantan, who was wounded in the supposed encounter, said the operation was a result of a case operation plan targetting Siman's group for its alleged involvement in gun-for-hire activities.

In his interview with Consulta, Habitan also said that Siman offered to sell firearms to him. Habitan said he declined to purchase any weapon.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue last week said it plans to subject Habitan under an investigation to find out if he is paying the right taxes as an operator of a local small-scale mining firm in Camarines Norte. — with Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: vicsiman, atimonanshootout, quezonshootout, ronniehabitan