Ex-NBI chief Velasco to testify on Leviste's murder trial

MANILA, Philippines - Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Epimaco Velasco will take the witness stand in the ongoing murder trial on former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste, who was accused of killing his close aide, Rafael delas Alas. This was confirmed Wednesday by Leviste himself, saying he does not care whether Velasco will turn out to be a hostile or friendly witness. Velasco is the father of Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, who earlier claimed that Leviste had met with his father in an alleged attempt to influence him in handling the murder case. During Wednesday’s hearing, the lawyers of Leviste presented the elder Velasco as one of their “surrebuttal” witnesses before Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda. Velasco, however, said he was not prepared since he was only informed of his role in the trial only the day before. Alameda reset the hearing to Aug. 6. Leviste said he wants to hear the elder Velasco confirm or deny his son's allegation. The younger Velasco, meanwhile, voiced no objections in his father taking the witness stand. Last July 21, Leviste’s camp submitted a list of 44 people they intend to present in court following the conclusion of the presentation of rebuttal evidence by the younger Velasco. Aside from the former NBI chief, the other witnesses include Makati City police chief Sr. Supt. Gilbert Cruz and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) leader Dante Jimenez. Also listed were Delas Alas' widow, Teresita; children, Dinna, Christian and Allan Christopher; and unidentified reporters from ABS-CBN and GMA. - GMANews.TV