Suspects’ lawyers in RTC judge murder file conflicting motions

TWO lawyers of the three suspects in killing RTC Judge Henry Arles last April 24 filed contradicting motions for their clients before the Regional Trial Court.

Lawyer Romeo Subaldo, accompanied by the families of Jessie Daguia and Alejandro Capunong, filed yesterday a petition transferring his clients to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the province so that they can answer the charges for illegal possession of firearms filed against them before one of the RTCs here, adding that if his clients are outside the province they cannot attend the hearings of the case filed against them.

Daguia, Capunong and another suspect Eddie Fortunado are now at the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila.

Subaldo added they want to ensure the safety of the three suspects after the family received a letter purportedly written by Daguia and Capunong informing the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) they were allegedly threatened and tortured to execute their affidavit admitting that the three other suspects committed the crime.

BACOLOD. About 87,700 students reportedly filled-up almost the entire 1,300 meter runway of the old Bacolod airport last February 12 when Ang Batang Pinoy Movement led by Jewel Mae Lobaton-Pimentel and Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Anthony T. Golez, Jr. held Jam Step in Bacolod. The activity will be replicated nationwide on September 24. (Mymy Alagaban)

The other suspects implicated in the affidavit are Emmanuel “Eman” Medez, an employee of the Ilog Municipal Government, and Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade members Marvin Salve and Gerald Gallano Tabujara, all of whom are still at-large.

They reportedly identified Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez as the alleged mastermind. The mayor is the son of Vice-Governor Genaro Alvarez and the brother of 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez. The Alvarez family denied the allegation.

Bacolod City Attorney Ana Marie Palermo, who stood as the legal counsel for Daguia, Capunong and Fortunado when they executed their affidavits, opposed the motion to transfer the three to the province.

Since the NBI asked her to stand as legal counsel for the three suspects, Palermo asserted that her duty is to look after her clients’ welfare and ensure that their rights are respected and their well-being are protected.

The lady lawyer said the three sought protective custody with the NBI and that it will be unwise and detrimental to the security of her clients if they will be transferred here in Bacolod, considering the nature of the case which involves big names in the province.

Palermo asserted that she was present when the three executed their affidavits and she also clarified that they were not threatened nor tortured. She also disclosed that she will push for the admission of her clients under the government’s witness protection program.