LAWSUITS continue to pour against one of Davao Region's most wanted New People's Army member and his fellow communist rebels after they were sued anew before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 for robbing and detaining seven men and killing one of the captives at Purok 4, Barangay Carmen in Baguio District, Davao City last year.
Facing robbery, murder, and slight illegal detention are Roberto Castillote, Danilo Rosete, and other unidentified fellow members of the NPA Guerilla Front 54.
Castillote, Rosete, and some members of NPA were charged for robbing from and detaining Albert Matundo, Cesar Agas, Albin Agas, Jelber Agas, Elmer Agas, Jubert Agas and killing Paulino Landim Jr.
Prosecutor Serafica Weis found probable cause to charge the suspects based on the complaint filed by Landim's father, Paulino Landim Sr.
The elder Landim, in his affidavit, said he was told by the victims that they were hiking at Purok Mabanlas, Barangay Carmen on March 1 last year when they encountered a group of armed communist rebels led by Castillote and Rosete. The victims tried to negotiate with the suspects but the latter held them and stole a pair of binoculars worth P8,000 and a digital camera worth P6,500.
Matundo was immediately released after giving up the binoculars and digital camera while the rest were held at gunpoint and was taken to Purok 8 of the same barangay where they were reportedly tried before the people's court. The rest of the younger Landim's companions were released while he was taken to Purok 4.
The younger Landim was executed in front of a chapel in Purok 4 where he was gunned down with his hands tied behind his back.
But while police and military are still hunting down Rosete and the other members involved in the incident, Castillote is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 11 in Ma-a following his arrest last Friday.
RTC Branch 17 Judge Evalyn Morales scheduled the arraignment of Castillote on March 19 with lawyer Rudy Alonzo of the Public Attorney's Office-Davao as his legal counsel.
Castillote was also charged for two separate murders with one involving the killing of Barangay Cadalian chief Alex Ingco last September 29 and the other on the death of Ruel Catigan Pague last September 5.
