The police yesterday filed murder and attempted murder charges against a former member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade and three government militiamen, in connection with a shooting incident in Hacienda Lapus, Brgy. Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, on Feb. 18.
Named as respondents in the complaint lodged at the Silay City Prosecutor’s Office, were Ryan Layo, a former RPA-ABB member, CAFGU members Roderick Amoyan, Francis Almeda and Rene Latorgo.
Supt. Rosauro Francisco, Silay police chief, yesterday said the three CAFGU members were identified by the two eyewitnesses through the pictures presented to them, who had also linked them to the killing of victim Richard Centina.
Aside from Centina, also killed was Sonny Boy Tongcua, while eight other civilians were also injured in the incident, police records show.
Francisco said the filing of charges against Layo and the three CAFGU members was based on the affidavits executed by the witnesses and complainant Kevin John Guardiano, who claimed to have been almost hit by a bullet during the incident.
Investigations of the Silay police showed that Layo, who was reportedly armed with a .45 caliber pistol, and accompanied by three others clad in half-camouflage uniforms, with the face of one of them covered with a handkerchief, allegedly traded shots with Centina, who also had a .45 caliber pistol.
Centina, who sustained gunshot wounds on his chest, left arm and feet, died while being treated at the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City.
Francisco said the family of Tongcua said they will bury their slain member, before initiating any legal action against the suspects.
Meanwhile, additional cases of frustrated murder will soon be filed against the suspects for the injuries of eight civilians, he added.
Francisco said the three CAFGU members are now being investigated at the 303rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia.
The Silay police has requested the 303rd IB to subject the firearms of three militiamen to ballistic examinations, to determine if they had been fired during the incident, which took place at a benefit dance hall, in the hacienda.
Francisco said two spent shells of a carbine rifle, an empty shell of .45 caliber pistol and that of a garand rifle, were also recovered from the crime scene, that was already “contaminated” when they arrived.* GPB back
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