DOJ clears Iligan City's Regencia of murder and frustrated charges

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has acquitted detained Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia and several others of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges over the slay attempt on former Iligan Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. in 2014.

With its December 9, 2016 ruling, which was released January 2017, the DOJ "reversed and set-aside" it previous resolution dated July 6, 2015 in which it found probable cause to charge Regencia and other respondents for three counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder.

"The complaints for three counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder against all respondents are likewise ordered dismissed," the decision read.

Likewise, "the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City Branch 777 is hereby directed to cause and withdrawal of all information filed in the court in this case and is further directed to report the action taken 10 days from the receipt hereof."

Those acquitted along with Regencia were Amador Baller, Rogelio Pitos Sr., Roemo Suganob, Dominador Sumanduran Tumala, Peejay Capangpangan, Alfep Arnoco, Julito Oros Ansad, Dodo Silvano, and Rogelio Pitos Jr.

In reversing it's earlier decision, the DOJ found suspect-turned-witness Dominador Tumala's two affidavits of confession as inconsistent and inadmissible as evidence.

Also, police officers who initially looked into the said case recanted their statements that they recovered firearms and a grenade from Tumala on his arrest.

In December 2014, Belmonte, who was then the lone district representative of Iligan City, and several companions had just left the Laguindingan Airport when they were ambushed.

In a text message to GMA News, Belmonte said, "DOJ has lost its jurisdiction by the filling information in court, now the matter is within the exclusive authority of RTC 77 we believed."

Meanwhile, Regencia's counsel Leo Zaragosa told GMA News in his text message that, "DOJ just released the resolution granting our motion for reconsideration. It ordered the Quezon City Prosecutors Office to withdraw the information filled against Mayor Regencia. Once it is granted or approved by the court, Mayor Regencia will be ordered release and will be a free man anytime soon." — Merlyn Manos with Ted Cordero/LBG/DVM, GMA News