Star witness recants statement linking ex-partner to killing of working student in Batangas

MANILA — A star witness has withdrawn her sworn statement implicating her former live-in partner in the killing of her boyfriend, working student Charles Usi, in San Jose, Batangas.

In a copy of the witness’ supplemental sworn affidavit submitted to the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office and obtained by the ABS-CBN News team from the victim’s family, she said her earlier claim linking her ex-partner, described as a prominent figure in Batangas, to the killing was incorrect.

The witness said her initial statement was based only on her suspicions and feelings, which she admitted she could not substantiate.

“Sa nauna kong salaysay, sinabi ko na ang kaalaman ko ay base lamang sa aking kutob at pakiramdam na hindi ko naman kayang patunayan. Hindi naman makatarungan na madungisan ang kanyang pagkatao nang dahil lamang sa ispekulasyon o mga balitang haka-haka. Maliban din dito, aking napagtanto na huwag magpadala sa kutob at haka-haka na wala namang konkretong ebidensiya na nagpapatunay na si (name ng ex-partner) nga ang may kagagawan,” the witness said in her affidavit.

She also admitted that she never heard her ex-partner threaten Usi, even though he had seen the victim performing at his own bar on July 24 or 25, 2026.

“Wala akong narinig na galit o anu mang pagbabanta mula kay (name ng ex-partner). Naisip ko din na kung talagang may galit si (name ng ex-partner) kay CHARLES R. USI ay matagal na niya itong naipapatay, kung mayroon talaga siyang kakayahang gawin ito dahil sa mismong bar niya nga ito tumutugtog,” she said.

The witness also clarified that the other individuals she had named and implicated in her initial statement to police had no involvement in the crime, saying those accusations were likewise based on her suspicions and speculation.

She disclosed that she and Usi had been on a break since October 8, 2026, although they remained friends and continued communicating.

She said she failed to mention their relationship status during her initial police interview because she was still struggling to process the victim’s death.

“Dahil ako ay lutang at magulo ang isip noong mga panahon na kapapangyari pa lamang ng sinapit ni CHARLES R. USI at labis ang aking naramdamang emosyonal na pagkagulat at sakit, ay hindi ko nabanggit na nag cool-off kami ni CHARLES R. USI noong Oktubre 8, 2026. Pero bagama’t kami ay hiwalay nuong panahong iyon ay nananatili kaming may komunikasyon, dahil na din sa aming mga responsibilidad. Samakatuwid, ay nanatili kaming magkaibigan,” she said.

The witness further said she may have become confused during her police interviews because of the emotional distress she was experiencing as investigators asked her to recall the circumstances surrounding Usi’s death.

She said she initially thought police were only asking about her past relationship with her ex-partner and maintained that she never directly implicated him in the killing.

“Wala akong natatandaan na may sinabi ako na may kinalaman siya sa pagkamatay ni CHARLES R. USI. Maaaring hindi ko na lubos na nauunawaan ang mga pangyayari dahil sa bigat ng nararamdaman ko nuong mga oras na iyon dahil sa labis na gulat sa pagkamatay ng isang mahal sa buhay,” she said.

The witness said she executed the supplemental affidavit to correct what she described as errors and omissions in her earlier statements.

She also denied being forced or threatened into changing her testimony, saying she only wanted a fair and proper investigation.

Following the witness’ recantation, PLtCol. Philip Aguilar, chief of the Batangas Police Provincial Office’s Public Information Office, confirmed that the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office had returned the complaint to the complainant.

“The undersigned finds no sufficient ground to support the existence of prima facie evidence and reasonable certainty of conviction. Hence, the instant complaint is hereby referred back to the complainant,” Aguilar quoted the prosecutor’s certification as saying.

Aguilar stressed, however, that the case had not been dismissed and that the complainant could still submit additional evidence.

“Gusto ng fiscal’s office na dagdagan ng complainant yung ebidensya na i-offer nila doon sa filing ng case. …Kumbaga parang hindi na tatayo yung kaso kasi nawala na yung witness nila. Pero hindi naman yun na-dismiss totally. Ibig sabihin, anytime pwede pa rin i-file yung kaso. 20 years bago mag-prescribe yung murder case,” Aguilar explained.

Wilma Usi, the victim’s mother, expressed disappointment over the witness’ decision to withdraw her earlier statements against the suspects charged with murder.

She vowed, however, that their family would not give up on seeking justice for her son.

Usi was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen while on his way home on his motorcycle on October 25, 2026, in San Jose, Batangas.

Police had earlier identified a love triangle as the possible motive behind the killing.

The 22-year-old victim was a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication working student who was known in Batangas for performing at bars and coffee shops to support his education.