Witness: Cogtas shouted “tsunami”
CEBU, Philippines - A habal-habal driver yesterday identified in court radio blocktimer Danilo Cogtas as the person responsible for the “tsunami scare†in Cebu City on February 6, 2012 following a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
Ryan Pedrosa, 29, resident of sitio Laguerta, Lahug, Cebu City, was presented in court as the first prosecution witness. Pedrosa said that on February 6, 2012, he and his fellow habal-habal driver, Roldan Espina, went to Pasil on board a motorcycle to check on a reported tsunami.
On their way to Pasil, they met people running scared going to upland areas because a tsunami was allegedly coming. Pedrosa said that upon their arrival in Pasil they saw a man, later identified as Cogtas, shouting that a tsunami was coming.
“He was wearing a big ID. He was also wearing a dark sleeveless vest like the ones worn by media people,†he said.
According to Pedrosa, he and Espina reported to the police on February 10, 2012 upon reading in the newspaper that the law enforcers are looking for the person responsible for spreading the hoax.
“After discussing between ourselves what to do and when we were both certain that Danilo Cogtas, as printed in the tabloids, was the same man we saw in Pasil shouting ‘tsunami’ because of his distinctive hair-style, we finally decided that we will report the matter to the police,†Pedrosa’s affidavit reads.
Cogtas’ lawyer, Ruphil Bañoc, said he will cross-examine Pedrosa on May 16. According to Bañoc, his client did not cause the “tsunami scare†as alleged by the witness.
Cogtas was charged for violation of Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code or tumults and other disturbances.— (FREEMAN)
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