Murder case vs 2 cops dismissed

A REGIONAL Trial Court has dismissed the murder and frustrated murder charges against Senior Inspector Ludwig Charles Espera and Inspector Arnel Gighe, the prime suspects of the 2014 Yabut-Jamaca case.

The five-page omnibus order was penned by Judge Vincent Rosales, presiding Judge of RTC, Branch 23 and issued on May 24, 2018.

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“In view of the foregoing, the motion is granted. The above entitled case is hereby dismissed for failure of the prosecution to prosecute,” part of the order reads.

The two former Cagayan de Oro City policemen were the primary suspects in the summary execution of Maria Erika Yabut and frustrated killing of Yabut’s boyfriend, Jim Jamaca, on December 11, 2014.

READ: 4 Oro cops tagged in ‘summary execution’

Said to be police assets at the time of the incident, Yabut and Jamaca were found in a secluded portion in FS Catanico, this city.

Jamaca, who lost a hand due to a bullet wound, survived by the attempted summary execution playing dead.

The bodies of Jamaca’s two cousins, siblings Roland and Harold Jamaca, were also found in Barangay Mambuaya on the same day.

Two other policemen were accused of the killings.

All four were said to be police assets during the time of the murders.

The court order was received by Rolando Jamaca, the father of slain siblings Roland and Harold, last June 6.

The elder Jamaca, a retired policeman, declined to comment on the court’s dismissal of the case.