Decision on Dizon slay case Dec. 20

After almost a year, Regional Trial Court Branch 5 judge Ireneo Gako Jr. has finally set the date for the promulgation of the murder case of The FREEMAN photojournalist Allan Dizon on December 20.

Dizon was murdered last November 27 infront of a cellular phone shop at the North Reclamation Area.

Edgar Belandres, the suspect, is now detained at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center. Two prosecution witnesses Justiniano Doller and Epifanio Barcuma positively identified him as the one who shot Dizon dead.

But this was refuted by defense witnesses who testified that the two were actually drinking several meters away from the crime scene.

Yesterday, the prosecution was supposed to present another rebuttal witness but failed to do so. Thus, Gako ordered the two panels to submit their respective memorandums within 15 days.

Prosecution counsel Dante Ramos said the next witness they should have been presenting yesterday "begged off" to be made its witness because she was scared.

"Her testimony would have been useful but not absolutely necessary," Ramos told reporters in an interview after the hearing.

Also yesterday, Dizon's widow, Amelina, through Ramos, asked the court that Dizon's cellphone found in the crime scene be turned over to her since it was not used as evidence.

However, it was found out that said mobile phone was actually one of the evidences for the defense.

Amelina said she was elated that the case would finally be resolved.

"Excited kaayo ko. Nakahilak gani ko pag-announce," she said, adding that the matter is still up to the judge. - Liv G. Campo