I, Ireneo B. Merced, of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of Sitio Inagawam, Caray-caray, naval, Biliran, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state:
1. That sometime on June 29, 2008 in the morning, I asked my grandson, Marianito Merced, to accompany me to Brgy. Catmon, Naval to help gather some building materials. There materials will be brought to Inagawan, Caray-caray, Naval, Biliran to augment our residential house. However, Marianito refused to go. Instead he went astray.
2. When I came back at noon, Marianito presented me a Five Hundred Peso (P 500.00) bill. He said that he is going to give me P200.00 out of it, so I went to look for a change. When I asked him where he got it, he said in a casual manner that “secret” he got a business.
3. However, on Monday, June 30, 2008, Marianito could not be found. In fact, he never slept with the family since then.
4. That on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, a certain Miguel Paril, nicknamed “Antok” came to inform me that Marianito is in Naval Country Inn. Antok said that Marianito is employed by Mr. Charlie Chong, proprietor of Naval Country Inn.
5. That I went to see Mr. Charlie Chong right away in her business office in Naval, Biliran. He said he was grateful of Marianito because he was doing them a favor. In return, he offered him a decent job. He assured me that Marianito is in good hands.
6. However, on Monday, July 7, 2008 in the morning, I went back to Mr. Charlie Chong and asked permission to see Marianito to myself. Together with Mrs. Ailyn Barotol, we went to Naval Country Inn. Inside, I met Marianito in one of the rooms at the 3rd floor, not far from the place where Atty. Glenn Chong was staying. Marianito told me that they don’t have much work to do and they are well-fed and according to him that Atty. Redentor Villordon came to the Country Inn to see him and taught them to testify. From the distance, I could see several persons waiting for the congressman outside.
7. That in going home, we passed-by A & C Supermart to see Mr. Charlie Chong. Inside, he ushered us to his office and he draw a payroll. He let us signed it and he gave us P840.00 each, a one-week equivalent salary for Marianito and his companion, Norley Barotol.
8. That I don’t have peace of mind thinking the fate of Marianito. Antok said that Marianito is groomed by Mr. Charlie Chong in order to testify regarding the assassination-attempt of his person.
9. That I execute this affidavit to attest the truth of the aforementioned statement.