The preliminary investigation on the murder of a banker and president of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete was reset to Nov. 15, after all documentary evidences including the affidavits of other witnesses to the gruesome broad daylight killing were presented.

Present at yesterday’s preliminary investigation before Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Maritess Macarubbo were respondents Jerry and Espedita Inocerta, with their counsel Elton Abrea of the Public Attorney’s Office, the National Bureau of Investigation and Alexander Villanueva who represented the family of the victim, Demetrio “Pororoy” Larena III.

Also present was Vicente dela Plaza and the victims’ children.

The resetting was made to give time to responding police officers, including the team from the Scene of the Crime Operatives, to execute their affidavits on the spent shells found inside the car, to determine the caliber of firearms used in the shooting.

It also determined whether or not to order the embalmer of the funeral parlor where the cellphone of the victim, that contains vital information, was found, to execute an affidavit.

Both the defense and prosecution indicated that they were interested in the confession and narration of the couple in a media interview with media outlets in Dumaguete City.

In the following interviews, however, the couple assured that they will not change their earlier statements.

On Wednesday, complaints for murder were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office by private persons against Ramel Dong-coy, a member of the 12th SCAA based in Camp Leon Kilat in Tanjay City, for his alleged involvement in the crime.

Dong-coy had earlier confessed to have been tasked by Jerry Inocerta to pick up his wife Espedita and bring her back to Cangmating, after the plan was implemented.  He claimed he failed to do it when an exchange of gunfire ensued between responding policemen and he immediately returned to his base in Tanjay.

When asked why the couple did not submit their counter-affidavit, PAO lawyer Abrea said they will just face them in court.*JG

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