WHILE murder charges against the three suspects and a high-ranking official tagged in the killing of Cebuano businessman Richard King have yet to be resolved, the City Prosecution Office (CPO) affirmed the illegal possession of firearms charges against the suspected triggerman.
A source from the Regional Trial Court Office of the Clerk of Court (RTC-OCC), who refused to be named for lack of authority to speak, said Prosecutor Panfilo Lovitos has found probable cause to charge Paul Dave Molina Labang for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
The source said the case was raffled off to RTC Branch 17 yet presiding judge Evalyn Morales has yet to schedule his arraignment.
Labang was charged after getting arrested by operatives of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) who acted on a tip from a concerned citizen.
Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Richard Dionisio and PO2 Welquin Enciso, in their joint affidavit, said they arrested Labang at around 10 a.m. June 22.
The arresting officers cited that Labang tried to resist by attempting to pull out his firearm yet cops made a timely arrest before the suspect could have caused more harm.
Recovered from his possession was a .45 caliber ACP Series 80 Colt Mark IV pistol with serial number FN33020 with six live ammos. Cops also recovered a magazine with seven live ammos from Labang's bag.
Lovitos, however, has yet to resolve the murder charges against Labang, his two cohorts identified as siblings Rommel and Rodel dela Cerna and the former Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-11 head Superintendent Leonardo Felonia who was accused of ordering King's murder.
Labang, Rommel and Rodel have filed their judicial confession implicating Felonia in the incident but the latter's legal counsel lawyer Caesar Europa will have yet to file Felonia's counter-affidavit.