After 19 years, star witness in navy ensign's death appears in court

For the first time in nearly 20 years, a witness has come forward to shed light on the controversial death of a Philippine Navy ensign.

 

Witness Protection Program personnel secured Technical Sergeant Dionisio Samiran as he faced a Manila trial court for the first time, GMA News' John Consulta reported on "24 Oras."

 

Samiran, who headed an investigation team that probed Pestaño's death, had said Petty Officer 1st Class Carlito Amoroso, one of the accused, had admitted involvement in the killing of Philip Pestaño as the supposed gunman.

 

His court apperance coincided with the arraignment of eight of the 10 suspects linked to the killing of Ensign Philip Andrew Pestaño in September 1995.

 

Pestaño was found dead aboard the BRP Bacolod City docked off Manila in 1995. While a supposed suicide note was found on his body, his family suspected foul play.

 

The ensign's father Felipe claimed his son had discovered the BRP Bacolod was supposedly used to deliver illegal drugs, logs and firearms.

 

The elder Pestaño added Samiran had wanted to come out but feared for his life.

 

Thursday also saw the arraignment of eight other accused in the case. They pleaded not guilty.

 

Arraigned were:

 

 

The defendants' lawyer Jay de Guzman sought to discredit Samiran's testimony, which he said "has a lot of inconsistencies."

 

But the Pestaño camp's lawyer, former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., insisted Samiran's testimony can stand.

 

"Matibay, matibay because firsthand information ito," he said. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News