Witnesses in Esperat slay arrive here for hearing

Witnesses in the murder of Tacurong City journalist Marlene Esperat arrived in Cebu last Monday afternoon for today's scheduled pre-trial conference of the case.

A team of marshals from the witness protection program of the Department of Justice met the witnesses at the Mactan Cebu International Airport and brought them to an undisclosed location.

Regional Trial Court Branch 22 judge Eric Menchavez scheduled this morning the pre-trial conference of the murder case against Estanislao Vismanos, Gerry Cabayag, Rowie Barua and Randy Grecia.

Menchavez likewise scheduled the hearing of the motion of those accused asking the court to recall the warrant of arrest issued against them.

Cebu City prosecutor Nicolas Sellon will lead the panel of prosecutors because he has jurisdiction over Cebu City courts. Sellon is expected to be assisted by a panel of prosecutors earlier created by the DOJ in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, before the case was transferred to Cebu.

Regional State Prosecutor Antonio Arellano earlier said that even before they received the records of the case they already started their preparations, especially on the security aspect.

The Supreme Court ordered the transfer of hearings to Cebu upon the request of the family of Esperat because of alleged harassment of their witnesses.

Esperat's exposé on the alleged corruption in the Department of Agriculture is eyed as a possible motive behind her killing last March 24, 2005. - Fred P. Languido