Decena sends children to US as she pursues case over slay try

Businesswoman Cristina Decena on Thursday revealed that she has been forced to send her children abroad where they would be more safe, after an attempt on her life on August 14.

"Ang mga anak ko anytime today lilipad papuntang Amerika para makadiskarte at makatutok at makalaban sa kaso na ito at hindi nagiisip sa security ng anak ko," Decena said in an interview with reporters at the Department of Justice in Manila.

The businesswoman also revealed that she had already hired security personnel to secure her safety and the safety inside her residence. Decena said she continues to receive death threats even after the incident.

Despite the threats and her children going to the US, Decena said she has chosen to stay behind and instead pursue charges against her attackers.

"Kung matatakot ako at tatakbo sa ibang bansa eh... nandidito hanapbuhay ko. Wala naman akong ikabubuhay sa ibang bansa. So lalaban ako, palalabasin lahat kung sino mstermind sa likod ng bigong pagpatay sa akin at hindi ako titigil hanggat hindi ko nakikita silang nakakulong," Decena said.

Decena dropped by the DOJ to meet with Secretary Leila De Lima and request that summons be issued to people who could be behind or who have knowledge about the failed attempt to kill her.

"Gusto ko sana na matutukan ang kaso ko... [Dapat] ipa-subpoena isa isa ang mga tao na may kinalaman sa bigong pagpatay sa akin," said Decena. The National Bureau of Investigation has been tapped to probe the attack.

De Lima said an attempted murder complaint has already been filed with the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office.

"Iyong alleged mastermind naman, iyan ay kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan ng NBI," the Justice chief added.

"But I can see with Cristina Decena, she truly fears for her life, she truly fears for her safety and that of her family, kaya nagpapatulong," De Lima said.

Decena was with her maid and her son Danilo, when the ambush occurred in Quezon City Wednesday last week. Only the maid was hurt, hit by shattered glass from the window of their vehicle.

Decena reiterated that the attack against her was connected to her real estate business.

"May mga tao na mapagkamkam ng property na di kanila. So siyempre ako, dahil patas naman ako lumaban pag naaapi ka, ang pupuntahan mo husgado," she said.

Two of the suspects, identified as neighbors Edgardo Vinalla and Henry Quinones, were caught in a government-run hostel Wednesday last week and later presented to the media. — BM, GMA News