Cebu City — The four suspects in the killing of a Catholic priest in Talisay City last July has entered a not guilty plea during the arraignment of their case Tuesday. This, despite their earlier admission to the crime before the police and media following their arrests.

The suspects, Ruselo Ravanes, Jonas Turawan, Gerald Tradio and a 15-year-old minor, who voluntarily surrendered himself to the police, entered a not guilty plea before the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Olegario Sarmiento after facing charges of robbery with homicide for the death of Naga assistant parish priest, Fr. Jovencio Rabusa.

They had admitted they killed Rabusa near a gasoline station but said they had no idea that he was a priest. Had they known that Rabusa was a priest, they would not have robbed and killed him, the four accused said.

The minor denied he was with the three during the robbery and shooting although the priest’s 17-year-old companion, Alan Abadon, in his affidavit said that while he was walking with Rabusa at the SRP in Talisay City, he saw the four by the roadside.

Ababon said Rabusa was carrying a backpack and, feeling tired, they decided to sit down and rest for a while at the pedestrian lane near the Phoenix Gasoline Station.

While he and the priest were talking, Ababon said he saw the minor and Turawan walking on the center island toward them, then sitting opposite where they were.

Ababon further said Ravanes came along and talked with the minor and Turawan. Ravanes then walked towards their direction with the two others following him at the back.

As he approached them, Ravanes pulled out a gun and announced a robbery. Ababon said they first pointed the gun at him and demanded that they give them what they wanted.

Meanwhile, Rabusa, tried to run away, and as he did, Ravanes shot him even as Ababon was able to get away, seeking cover inside the gas station nearby. Ravanes said he and his companions only wanted to rob Rabusa but shot him when he started to run away.