Thursday, October 23, 2008
Court hands arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects (1:05 p.m.)
WARRANTS have been issued by the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the arrest of two principal accused in the murder of journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat, who was gunned down inside her home in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat in March 2005.
Subject of the warrants were Department of Agriculture Region-12 (Central Mindanao) officials Osmena Montaner and Estrella Sabay.
Three other accused in the murder, ex-Sergeant Estanislao Bismanos, alias Jun, Gerry Cabayag, the confessed triggerman, and Randy Grecia, alias Jeck, who acted as lookout have earlier been convicted by the Cebu RTC and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment.
Another accused who turned state witness, Rowie Barua, an ex-military intelligence officer who acted as coordinator, was acquitted.
The issuance of the warrants against Montaner and Sabay came following the reopening of the Esperat case almost exactly the same time last year, with the two agriculture regional officers tagged as the mastermind of the killing. (ECV/Sunnex) |
