Suspect in village chief’s slaying pleads not guilty

A MAN accused of killing Barangay Lacson chief Aldion Layao denied the charges filed against him before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 on Friday.

Petronillo Demicillo pleaded not guilty during his arraignment for the murder charges filed against him. The arraignment was held before the sala of RTC Branch 14 judge Goerge Omelio.

The complainant Rica Nina Layao, wife of the victim, was also present during the arraignment. Her husband was killed on April 8 in Purok 4, Barangay Lacson, Calinan, Davao City.

Prosecutor Marte Melchor Velasco resolved the case against the suspect based on the evidences and testimonies of the victim's wife and other witnesses.

Layao was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman while he was driving his vehicle.

Demicillo was positively identified by witnesses as the gunman who shot Layao.

Witnesses were at first hesitant to testify until Demicillo was arrested for the robbery case, it was then that they identified him as the gunman.

He was arrested by personnel of the Davao City Police Office's Investigation and Detection Management Branch and Calinan police on April 14 in his house in Barangay Baganihan, Marilog District.

Authorities eyed politics and personal grudge as motives in the killing.

Layao was former host of a program aired over Radio GMA in Davao City.

No bail was recommended for the respondent.