By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

A middle-aged man bearing the same name as that of one of the two suspects in the celebrated murder of Dumaguete-based lawyer Archer Baldwin Martinez, who was gunned down last year in this capital city, has appeared at the city police station to clear his name.

Emmanuel T. Banaay, 52, married, and a resident of Manalongon in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, met with Dumaguete police chief Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino on Monday after he heard his “name” being mentioned in a television news report as one of two respondents in the murder case filed by police last Friday.

It turns out that the suspect being referred to in the murder case is not the same as the person who met with Tolentino on Monday, the police chief confirmed. The murder suspect’s description, age and other information do not even come close to a match with that of the Banaay that met with Tolentino.

Banaay said the news report, which was also aired on radio and printed in local dailies, has caused his family sleepless nights and endless worry. Friends and relatives called or sent them text messages showing their concern after the news had spread, he said.

Also, a son who goes by the name of Kenneth Emmanuel Banaay and who studies at Silliman University, has been affected by the news reports, Banaay said.

Last Friday, the police filed murder charges against Emmanuel “Manuel” Banaay of Lapu-lapu City in Cebu province and a “John Doe”, the alleged triggerman, for the death of Martinez.

A witness, a parking attendant who claimed to be at the area near the building that housed the lawyer’s office, claimed to have seen a man who was later identified to be a certain Emmanuel Banaay and the purported triggerman shortly before the gunslay.

Martinez was shot several times inside his office in broad daylight by a lone gunman on Aug. 5, 2011.

According to Tolentino, the suspect, Emmanuel Banaay, is described to be between 30 and 40 years old, with fair complexion, very short hair and of medium built. In fact, a photograph acquired by the city police shows that he is not the same as the Emmanuel Banaay from Sta. Catalina, said Tolentino.

The man from Sta. Catalina is 52 years old, of stocky built, has medium length and wavy hair, and is dark-skinned.

Tolentino has assured the Emmanuel Banaay from Manalongon, Sta. Catalina of his and his family’s safety and had even ordered his appearance at the police station to be recorded in the police blotter.

Also, the police chief has given his word to man from Manalongon that the late Archer Martinez’ family and legal counsels are aware that the suspect Banaay is from Lapu-lapu City.

The suspects are still at-large although according to Tolentino, the police already have a lead as to the identity of the triggerman but he declined to divulge other information to avoid compromising their case.

Tolentino said the police were eyeing a sensitive case being handled by the late Atty. Martinez as the possible motive for his murder.