STAFF Sergeant Alvin Entoma Enad, the alleged mastermind in the killings of Barangay Balungag, San Fernando, Cebu councilor Ma. Louella Baringui-an and her husband Peter, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Regional Trial Court Branch 77 in Carcar City on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022.
The arraignment before the sala of Judge Joy Redoble was done virtually with Enad, who was detained at the San Fernando Police Station some 20 kilometers away. The children of the Baringui-an couple went to the court to witness the proceeding.
Samantha Barangui-an, daughter of the slain couple, said they will pursue the case as they want justice for their parents’ death.
With Samantha during the arraignment were her brothers Sherwin and Stephen.
Samantha thanked the Central Visayas police for the arrest of Enad and the other accused, SSgt. Rene Catamora, Junrey Ypil, Junrey Batobalonos and former police officer Esmeraldo Quillosa.
They too pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned last March 16 despite issuing an extrajudicial confession just before they were charged earlier this year.
Judge Redoble said the pre-trial hearing will start on Sept. 14.
Start of long court battle
Samantha told SunStar Cebu that while she and her sibling were relieved that the five accused were finally facing trial, she was aware that the family was in for a long court battle.
She admitted that she was hurt when Catamora, Ypil, Batobalonos and Quillosa entered a “not guilty” plea last March, but that didn’t stop the family from pushing through with the case.
SunStar Cebu tried to get Enad’s side, but he refused to comment when the news team visited him at the San Fernando Police Station.
Enad, Catamora, Ypil, Batobalonos and Quillosa were accused of murdering the Baringui-an couple in front of their children and bodyguards at their house in Barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando on the night of Feb. 13, 2022.
According to the extrajudicial confession executed by Catamora, Ypil, Batobalonos and Quillosa, Enad had hired them to commit the crime.
The four men had surrendered separately a few days after the murder.