Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Cops in Salabas case may be free soon
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan and Nicolas C. Delfin
AFTER months of hiding, the wanted policemen in the controversial Salabas-Suganob-Lomoljo kidnap and murder case may surface soon.
Malacañang reportedly ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw the case filed against them before the Regional Trial Court, a source from the Palace told Sun.Star Monday night.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007
The 10-page order, which is yet to be released by the Office of the President, this week was signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the source added.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, in a phone interview over Bombo Radyo Monday night, said he has not received the order yet.
"That's why I can't react on the report because I have not receive any copy yet," the Justice secretary said.
The policemen-suspects are Chief Inspector Jimmy Fortaleza, Senior Inspector Jonathan Lorilla, Senior Police Officer 2 Freddie Natividad and Police Officer I Bernardo Cimatu, all in Bacolod and Chief Inspector Clarence Dongail and Police Officer 2 Allen Winston Hulleza at Police Regional Office based Iloilo City
Others are civilians Manolo Escalante, Carlo de los Santos, Elma Mamerto, Elson and Elma Canete,Lorraine Albay, Ramonito Estanislao, Jude Montilla, Ronnie Herrera, and Julie Flores.
They were accused of kidnapping and killing former Pahanocoy village chief Eleuterio Salabas Jr., his nephew Romolo Lomoljo and Maritime Instructor Ricardo Suganob on August 31, 2003.
Complaint of kidnapping was filed at the Oriental Negros Provincial Prosecutor's Office but was dismissed for lack of probable cause on August 2004.
But private complainant, Mrs. Elizabeth Orola-Salabas, widow of the late barangay chief, filed a motion for reconsideration.
But on October 1, 2004, the dismissal order was affirmed by finality and the accused thought the case was already over.
But on October last year, they were shocked to know that the DOJ has ordered the prosecutor's office to file the case before the Regional Trial Court in Guihulngan town.
The court issued a warrant for the arrest of the suspects.
Since Oct. 18, 2006, all the suspects went on hiding and their whereabouts could not be located by their fellow police officers, who were tasked by the court to apprehend them.
Raymund Sombero
Records showed that the DOJ's order was based on the sworn affidavit executed by Raymund Sombero, one of the witnesses in the case.
Sombero was allegedly housed and provided by Tom Orola of the Orophil Shipping Corporation in Manila from February last year.
Tom is the brother-in-law of the slain Salabas.
On Nov. 7, 2006, however, Sombero who was fetched by his father, broadcaster George Sombero recanted his statements.
He told the Bacolod media that he was only forced by Tom and Orophil chief security Rodolfo Gerosa to execute the affidavit against the policeman-suspects.
Later, however, he claimed that he threatened to be killed if he won't sustain his allegations on the case.
The Orolas debunked Sombero's claims.
They also called him "liar."
Very, very happy
But Fortaleza who was reached by Bombo Radyo through his cellular phone Monday night, said he is very happy that Malacañang ordered the dismissal of the DOJ's case against them.
"People know that ever since, we're innocent on this case. However, they're some people who wanted to ruin us," Fortaleza said.
Asked if he will now surrender, Fortaleza said it will depend on the order of their counsel, lawyer Ernesto Treyes.
Contacted through his cellular phone Monday night, Treyes said he is yet to receive the order from Malacañang.
Bacolod City Police Office Director Ronilo Quebrar also welcomed the report.
He said he is willing to accept all the accused policemen and have them back in their post in case the court clears their names.
Also in a phone interview with Sun.Star, former congressman John Orola Jr. said, "If there's indeed an order from Malacañang, then we leave it to the DOJ to decide on the matter by way of examining whether or not the recommendation of the Palace is meritorious."
He also said their family welcomes any decision from Malacañang.
"After all, what we want here are only truth and justice," he added.
Other suspects
Meanwhile, aside from the original 16 suspects, another witness Cecil "Giant" Brillantes also implicated nine others.
These include former BCPO chiefs Vicente Ponteras and George Bajelot, Senior Inspector Bonifer Gotas, PO2 Dennis Belandres, SPOI Nelson Grijaldo, PO2 Ruel Villacanas, and a certain Richard "Tisoy" Salazar.
Except for Pontereas and Bajelot, the seven other new accused were ordered arrested by the same judge only last month.For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (February 27, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
