Suspect in lawyer's killing denies drug charges
-A A +AWednesday, October 24, 2012
A MAN, who was also tagged as principal suspect in the killing of a Comelec official in Manila, denied drug charges filed against him before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Davao City.
Basser Bato Ampatuan, 39, a former policeman based in Maguindanao and resident of Cotabato City, pleaded not guilty to charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Ampatuan was arrested inside a restaurant at the corner of Juan Luna and Juan dela Cruz Sts. around 9:50 p.m. on August 29, after he reportedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) to policemen who acted as poseur buyers.
Recovered from the possession of Ampatuan were plastic sachets of suspected shabu, P1,500 cash and P500 marked money.
In an earlier interview, Senior Inspector Ronald Lao, former Sta. Ana police chief, said the accused was a former policeman with the rank of Police Officer 1 from 1999 to 2008.
It was also found out that Ampatuan is the principal suspect in the 2007 killing of lawyer Alioden Dalaig, then director of the Comelec's legal department.
Dalaig, 64, s was shot dead in front of the Hyatt Hotel at the corner M.H del Pilar and Pedro Gil streets in Ermita, Manila on November 10, 2007.
The RTC Branch 13, where his case is filed, set the pre-trial next year. (ANC)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 24, 2012.
Local news
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