Policemen file charges vs. Parilla slay suspect

The Cebu City Police Office yesterday filed murder charges against the suspect in the killing of former Biliran governor Danilo Parilla before the City Prosecutor's Office.

The Homicide Section, through Inspector Erlando Metante, filed the charges against Eugenio Corpin, 56, who was tagged as the one who shot Parilla while the former governor was disembarking from a ship at Pier 4 Thursday morning.

Metante claimed they have an "air-tight" case against Corpin, saying that they have at least five witnesses who could support the case.

Also yesterday, the Philippine National Police Regional Crime Laboratory released the result of the paraffin test conducted on Corpin and the result of the gunpowder residue (GPR) test conducted on the firearm allegedly seized from Corpin.

The result showed Corpin's both hands were positive of gunpowder nitrate while the gun he allegedly used in the shooting was also found positive of gunpowder residue. According to Metante, the test results would be used to support the other evidence and the statements of witnesses.

Parilla, a lawyer by profession, was shot in the back of his head with the bullet exited through his forehead and died instantly. A 28-year-old woman, who was behind the ex-governor, allegedly she saw Corpin push her away and point a gun to Parilla's head.

Corpin, who tried to escape by mingling with the other ship passengers, was caught by PO3 Jaime Apari and other Mobile Patrol Group members who were already waiting for Parilla at the gangplank.

A .45 caliber pistol loaded with seven live ammunitions and another nine live ammunitions were recovered from his possession.

When interviewed by reporters yesterday, Corpin claimed innocence, saying that a certain Norberto Napoles of Culaba, Biliran was behind the shooting.

He claimed that Napoles just passed the gun on to him so he tried hide it in his bag. But when asked where Napoles went after the shooting, Corpin claimed he never saw him again because of the commotion.

Apari said that after the shooting, he went up to the gangplank and met Corpin who told him that somebody was shot upstairs. But he added that he suspected Corpin's unusual reaction, prompting him to tell his companions to frisk him.

It was then that somebody shouted from upstairs and pointed to Corpin as the gunman.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines has created a five-man panel to help in the prosecution of the suspect.

IBP city chapter president Alex Tolentino yesterday announced the creation of the panel, which will be headed by Atty. Gloria Lastimosa Dalawampu. Other members of the panel include lawyers Fritz Quiñanola, Democrito Barcenas, Kit Enriquez and Alfredo Sipalay.

Tolentino, however, said they would also welcome other lawyers to join the panel, especially the friends of Parilla in the legal profession. - Edwin Ian Melecio and Fred P. Languido