LAWYER Ariel Malunes, counsel for Negros Occidental First District Represenative Melecio Yap Jr., defended his client from accusations of masterminding the extra-judicial killings in Escalante City, saying the court’s decision to dismiss the cases against him is fair.
Malunes, in a press conference in Bacolod City Thursday, said Judge Danilo Amisola of the Regional Trial Court Branch 57 in San Carlos City dismissed the charges against Yap because he found no probable cause.
“The court did not issue the warrant of arrest against my client which the families of those who died wanted because there was no probable cause,” he added.
Malunes said they sympathize with the families of the victims.
“We share in their quest for justice for their relatives, but the congressman is the wrong person to seeking justice from. As what my client said, the charges against him is politically motivated,” he added.
He also denied the claims of the counsel for the victims, Renecio Espiritu Jr., that they were not given time to answer.
Amisola dismissed three murder and one frustrated murder charges against Yap and his co-accused.
In Criminal Case No. RTC 17-6301, Yap is charged along with Bernardino Patigas and Richard Patpat for the fatal shooting of Ferjun Damalerio on November 8, 2007.
Under Criminal Case No. RTC 17-6302 Yap, Bernardino Patigas, Gregory Lobaton Tuayon, Hernando and Joey Llorente, alias Renan and Bam-Bam and Eleazar Nava were charged for the murder of Jury Alsado Sr. on Jan. 13, 2008.
Charged along with Yap in Criminal Case No. RTC17-6304 are Bernardino Patigas, Joel Villarin, Gregory Lobaton Tuayon, Jay Vargas, Joey Llorente, alias Bob Soler and Jr. Buhat for the shooting to death of Armando Lutrago on Dec. 3, 2011.
In Criminal Case No. RTC 17-6300, Yap was charged for frustrated murder with Bernardino Patigas and Richard Patpat for shooting Fernando Demalerio on Nov. 8, 2007.
Malunes said they also expect the dismissal of another murder case filed against Yap before RTC Judge Katherine Go of Branch 59 also in San Carlos City.
He added that San Carlos RTC is the right venue for the cases against Yap and other co-accused which is based on jurisdiction but they won't mind if the cases will be transferred to other venues.