Contrary to the claims of the authorities, the suspect behind Jang Lucero slay, Ann Shiela Montes Belarmino insisted that she’s innocent of the charges against her.
In an interview, Belarmino denied that she admitted her involvement to what happened to Lucero, saying that someone possibly intended to pin her to confuse the investigators on solving the crime.
Authorities showed CCTV footage taken before Lucero’s demise and a woman with the same tattoo as Belarmino was spotted.
However, Belarmino said that the woman might only be trying to imitate her tattoo.
“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,” said Belarmino.
“Alam ko na lalabas din ‘yong totoo. Sisiguraduhin kong ‘di ako ‘yon at alam ko sa sarili kong inosente ako,” she added.
The suspect also admitted that she had a relationship with Lucero’s ex-girlfriend Meyah Amatorio a few months ago, but decided to end it after discovering that the latter was courting the victim again.
“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 the denial of the suspect, the PNP-CALABARZON was confident in the testimony of the witnesses who positively identified Belarmino.
“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.
The suspect was caught by the authorities last Monday.
According to Danao, the possible motive of the suspect to end the life of Lucero was because of jealousy.