Prosecutor dismisses case versus Soriano
MAYOR RESUELLO MURDER
SAN CARLOS CITY–A prosecutor has trashed the case filed against the suspects in the murder of former Mayor Julian Resuello for supposed lack of probable cause.
Among those charged in the Resuello killing was Douglas Soriano, a former mayor of the city who was running against the victim’s son at the time of the murder, and Cesar de Guzman, a.k.a. “Cabesa”, a suspected gun-for-hire operator.
Reynaldo Lacasandile, 2nd Assistant Provincial Prosecutor in Vigan City, in a five-page decision dated February 26, 2009, said the sworn statements of witness Zaldy Casingal, upon which the charges are largely based, contains nothing but hearsay.
The present case was based on the sworn statements of Casingal and another witness, Elizardo Guillermo.
Casingal admitted his participation in the crime by helping “survey” the road in San Carlos City and driving the van which the armed men used on the night of the shooting which happened during the city’s fiesta celebration in April 2007.
Other suspects are Jay-ar Maiquez, Rudy Melano, Rodolfo dela Cruz, John Tumabcao, Sonny Echalas, Rommel dela Pena, Loida Gonzales and Pablito Viernez from Umingan
Aside from Resuello, his bodyguard Eulogio “Jojo” Martinez was also killed in the shooting, which happened during a celebration in a public venue, and wounded several others including Arwin Fermen, Jonathan dela Cruz and SPO1 Jaime Almonte.
Lacasandile said before the act or declaration of a conspirator may be given in evidence against a co-conspirator, the conspiracy must be shown by evidence other than such act or declaration.
Further, Lacasandile said the confessions of Casingal were made on October 23, 2008 and November 20, 2008, too long after the termination of the conspiracy on or before April 28, 2007, the date of the crime.
“And confession of a co-conspirator made long after the termination of the conspiracy is inadmissible against his co-conspirator,” the prosecutor said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Julier Resuello, the slain mayor’s son and the complainant in the case, said Lacasandile’s decision, which came a month and a half after he was handed the case, is suspect.
“I think something’s fishy here,’ he said.
He said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group which heads the ‘Task Force Resuello’, will file a motion for reconsideration and a motion to inhibit Lacasandile as soon as possible.
Resuello also plans to seek help from the President in resolving the case.
The case was originally with the Office of the City Prosecutor of San Carlos City, but the City Prosecutor sought inhibition following a motion by Soriano. It was then forwarded to the office of the Regional State Prosecutor in Region 1 and Lacasandile was designated to conduct the preliminary investigation.
Soriano has vehemently denied the charges against him saying these are politically motivated. #
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