Friday, June 27, 2008
Ex-PAF official won’t answer charges
RETIRED Master Sgt. Nestor Bugarin did not and will not contest the allegation that he shot and killed his father-in-law and brother-in-law, as well as having injured his nephew and sister-in-law.
The former Air Force officer did not submit a counter-affidavit to the complaint filed against him, leading to the filing of criminal charges against him before the Regional
Trial Court (RTC) last Wednesday.
In an interview yesterday, lawyer Danilo Yap said they won’t be offering a defense and pray for leniency in the sentencing. Yap is Bugarin’s lawyer.
Bugarin, who is still being held at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters, was scheduled for commitment yesterday to the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center where he’ll be detained while awaiting trial.
A source from the NBI, however, said the turnover was postponed because the doctor who would examine Bugarin prior to turning him over to the jail left the office.
Argument
Bugarin will be held without bail because of the two murder cases.
Yap said even if they could post bail, Bugarin does not yet want to go back to his house in Barangay Apas.
“He will stay in jail. And once enough time has passed and would have healed somewhat, he will seek forgiveness from the family,” Yap said.
Bugarin is charged with the fatal shooting of Esmeraldo Pontanar, 41, and Cristito, 72. The victims were the brother and father of Bugarin’s wife, Anecita.
Bugarin is also charged with trying to kill Esmeraldo’s wife, Maria Glen, and her son, Paolo, 13.
Evidence
The shootings reportedly stemmed from an argument between Maria Glen and Anecita over dogs that were making a lot of noise.
Esmeraldo allegedly tried to pacify the two quarreling women when Bugarin went out of the house and shot Esmeraldo, Maria Glen and Paulo.
Cristito, who stepped outside the house when the shooting began, was also fatally hit.
The Bugarins and the Pontanars live near each other in a parcel of land owned by their parents, who also live near them.
At the time of the filing of the complaint, Bugarin signed a waiver of detention and indicated that he was submitting evidence to show his innocence.
But, days after the 10-day period Assistant City Prosecutor Simaco Labata gave him, no sworn statement was submitted.
“(With) the evidence of the complainants and the arresting officers being uncontroverted, the undersigned finds probable cause that the above-mentioned offenses have been committed and the herein respondent is probably guilty thereof,” read the resolution City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon approved. (KNR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 27, 2008 issue)
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