Belandres' friends protest conviction

Close to 200 supporters and friends of murder convict Edgar Belandres yesterday staged a brief rally infront of the Palace of Justice and criticized the judge who sentenced him to die for killing The Freeman photojournalist Allan Dizon in 2004.

But the placard-bearing friends of Belandres who arrived on board private vehicles did not make noise after knowing that a Mass was being celebrated at the second floor attended by some of the judges and court personnel.

Stephanie Belandres, daughter of the murder convict, explained that their neighbors and friends of her father decided to rally to protest the "unfair verdict" of RTC judge Ireneo Lee Gako Jr.

"Dili makiangayon ang imong disisyon, biased ka!Dodong Belandres walay sala, maayo siya nga tawo," one of the placards read.

The rallyists denied reports they were paid P200 each just to join the protest.

"Amo ra g'yod ning kabubot-on," said Angelita Alburo, while Tomasa Casinillo of sitio Lawis, Lorega-San Miguel, said she joined the rally because she believes Belandres did not kill Dizon.

Many of those who joined the rally said Belandres helped them in their time of need.

"Kadtong na-ospital ko sa Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, siya si Belandres ang mipalit sa akong tambal og mibayad sa akong bayranan sa ospital," another woman said.

The group said they plan to return on Monday for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, Belandres' counsel Pedro Leslie Salva said he is now preparing the notice of appeal to be filed before the RTC as he want the appellate court to review Gako's decision.

In a 19-page decision penned by Gako, Belandres was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for killing Dizon at the North Reclamation Area last November 2004.

Belandres sentence is the first death penalty meted to a man accused of killing a journalist. - Rene U. Borromeo