Monday, January 23, 2006
Suspects in Tan massacre won't answer charges
By Jay Dooma Balnig
ARCHIE and Jan Michael Tan, suspects in the killing of their father, stepmother and half sister, refused to answer the criminal charges filed against them before the Iloilo City Prosecutor's Office.
The Tan brothers were accused of killing their father, Francisco; stepmother, Cynthia and half sister, Kathy last January 8 inside their mansion.
Assistant City Prosecutor Jeremy Bionat has given the Tan brothers until Monday to answer the double murder and parricide charges against them.
Tan family's legal counsel, Leonardo Liz said there is no way they will answer the charges for the reason that the criminal complaint filed by Superintendent Renato Gumban of the 6th Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was not verified.
Jiz said the inquiry of lawyer Nelia Jesusa Gonzales, counsel for the accused, on who the complainant is has remained unanswered by the CIDG.
"Under Section 3 of Rule 110 and 112 of the Rule on Criminal Procedure, the complaint must have been verified," he added.
Iloilo City Prosecutor Efraim Baldago assigned the case to Bionat, who also acted upon his assumption, in January 13.
On the same date, Bionat ordered Archie and Jan Michael through Gonzales to submit their counter affidavit 10 days upon receipt of the subpoena.
Many Ilonggos have been expecting to know the side of the two who were accused of killing their kin.
After the news of the massacre broke out, it was only Jiz who issued statements in behalf of the Tan family.
Gonzales, on the other hand, assailed the CIDG for its installment-type of filing of documents before the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office.
"Who knows, basi bwas, dason nga bwas or san-o man da, may idugang pa gid sila sa ila mga claims," Gonzales said.
Gonzales described the filing as half-baked and unprepared as their charge sheet indicated they have several attachments but when she checked, some were lacking.
(January 23, 2006 issue)
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