DOJ chief nixes transfer of Taysan torching probe

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez turned down on Tuesday an appeal of two policemen to transfer the preliminary investigation of their case from Batangas to Manila. The cops were charged with the torching of a school in Taysan, Batangas, a day after the May 14 polls that claimed the lives of a teacher and a poll watcher. Romeo Esmero, the policemen’s counsel told Gonzalez that there is a threat in the lives of Police Insp. Roberto Marinda and Senior Police Office 2 William Relos Jr, both charged of arson with multiple homicide and serious physical injuries at the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor's Office. Gonzalez, however, did not grant the policemen’s appeal. "I do not see the necessity yet at this point," Gonzalez told reporters after meeting with the lawyer, adding that there seemed to be no clear indication of a threat to the life of the suspects. Esmero said that his clients cannot expect a fair and impartial investigation of their case because investigating prosecutor Maria Antonette Capuno-Lupac is a relative of the executive assistant of Police Supt. Elwin Fernandez. He claimed Fernandez forced a witness, Cesar Suyom, to point at Marinda as one of those responsible for the burning of the elementary school last May 15 at about 3 a.m. while the canvassing of votes at the Pinagbayanan Elementary School were winding down. "There is now a continuing threat to the life and security of my clients because in their efforts to show that they are completely innocent on the aforesaid burning incident, they are likewise unmaking the real mastermind thereof," Esmero said. He claimed Fernandez forced a witness, Cesar Suyom, to point at Marinda as one of those responsible for the burning of the elementary school last May 15 at about 3 a.m. while the canvassing of votes at the Pinagbayanan Elementary School were winding down. "There is now a continuing threat to the life and security of my clients because in their efforts to show that they are completely innocent on the aforesaid burning incident, they are likewise unmaking the real mastermind thereof," Esmero said. The lawyer further said that the blaze could be politically motivated because another witness, Roberto Villena Manalo, has executed sworn statements before the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group alleging that he saw the arsonists alighting from the Safari and Pickup vehicles of Taysan Mayor-elect Victor Portugal. "They have received intelligence reports that there is now a plan to liquidate them in Batangas when and if they will attend hearings thereon which plan is in conspiracy with the criminals with whom the PNP-Regional Special Operations Group in Region IV have arrested and prosecuted," he said. Aside from teacher Nellie Banaag and poll watcher Leticia Ramos, six others were wounded in the fire. Marinda is among the four policemen placed under restrictive custody over the incident. He was transferred to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna with Relos. The two others, Taysan municipal police commander Chief Inspector Elpidio Ramirez, and his deputy, Inspector Ruel de la Cruz, are under the custody of the Batangas CIDG. Investigators claimed that incumbent Taysan Mayor Hernando Villena could have had a hand in the burning. Marinda, however, said it was Villena's rival, Victor Portugal, who could be responsible for the attack, noting that Portugal was losing to Villena in the counting at the school. - GMANews.TV