THE WIFE of slain retired colonel Samuel G. Afdal filed a complaint-affidavit before the Agusan del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the other suspects, including the alleged mastermind, on Thursday, Oct. 26.
In a copy of a seven-page complaint-affidavit, Evelyn filed a complaint against Ryan Mark Baylon, a resident of Sitio Masapya, Barangay Consuelo, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, for allegedly masterminding the ambush of his husband two years ago in Barangay Santa Cruz, Rosario town.
The copy also showed that Baylon masterminded and plotted the killing of his late husband, by allegedly conspiring with suspects Rosalino Degracia, Alemar Awado, and Jeffrey Mamerto.
Meanwhile, TIMES reached out to Ryan Baylon through a text message to air his side but did not receive a reply as of this writing.
She said that Baylon was a business associate of his husband, who used to be a riding buddy of former President Rodrigo Duterte, both being members of the On Any Sunday Riders Club of Davao City.
Evelyn’s complaint largely stemmed from the recent revelations by alleged gunman Jeffrey Mamerto, a former New People’s Army (NPA) member, who is now detained at the provincial jail.
Mamerto allegedly confessed that Baylon paid him money to gun down Afdal.
Mamerto was now already charged in court with murder for the ambush of Afdal on Oct. 26, 2021, in Purok Mahayahay, Sta. Cruz in Rosario.
Afdal’s family expressed relief with the breakthrough in the case, two years after he was attacked.
In a statement, the family said, “Amid our continuing grief, the family of the late retired Col. Samuel G. Afdal, known to many as SAGA, is heartened by recent developments in our search for justice for the attack against him on Oct. 26, 2021, in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.”
“Although he initially survived the shooting, SAGA eventually succumbed to his gunshot wounds while undergoing treatment in a hospital.
“What kept us in pain is the treachery that attended to his death which, when gleaned from his gentle and generous ways, is unimaginable.
“But today, two years after SAGA’s fatal shooting, we are seeing a glimmer of hope that justice would soon be served.”
The family also thanked the Philippine Army 75th Infantry Battalion, Rosario Municipal Police Station, and the Death Investigation Division of the National Bureau of Investigation for their help.
According to the report, Afdal was ambushed on Oct. 26, 2021, while driving toward the mining site. Although seriously wounded, he drove his Jimny vehicle from the ambush site to the compound of Rosario Manobo Mining Corp. to seek help. From there, he was rushed to a hospital for immediate medical attention.
Afdal was alone in the vehicle when attacked. Afdal succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 15, 2021.
In a hot pursuit operation, the Rosario police arrested Mamerto who also had an arrest warrant for a different case.
On Aug. 17, 2022, police filed a murder complaint against Mamerto before the Agusan del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He was indicted, along with two other suspects, for the killing. The case was raffled off to Regional Trial Court Branch 6 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Mamerto is currently detained at the Provincial Correctional and Security Management Office in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. He is scheduled to appear for pretrial on Nov. 15, 2023.
