No bail for two accused in slay of Iranian student

CEBU, Philippines - Two of the accused in the killing of an Iranian student last January 22 in barangay Capitol Site cannot post bail on the criminal case filed against them.

The minor and 18-year-old Kenneth Gabutan cannot be granted bail after charges of robbery with homicide have been filed against them before the Regional Trial Court.

The other accused, 21-year-old Malbert Rama, who was considered an accessory to the crime for concealing the unlicensed gun used in shooting the foreigner, was granted bail of P120,000.

Charges of robbery with homicide have been filed against Gabutan alias Kakak, Rama, and the 16-year-old boy in the shooting to death of Iranian student Ashkan Aminian. Gabutan drove the motorcycle used in perpetrating the crime.

According to witnesses who were also minors, the 16-year-old boy admitted to them he shot Aminian when the latter tried to retaliate with karate chops before running away.

“Gi-karate man ko, nya midagan, gipusil nako. Kung ikaw bay naa sa akong lugar dili ba nimo mapatay?” one of the witnesses, in his affidavit, quoted the exact words of the accused.

The minor and Gabutan were allegedly part of a motorcycle-for-hire robbery group.

Rama, when interviewed by Prosecutor Rhodna Alcala-Bacatan during the proceedings, said that Gabutan returned his motorcycle that time while the minor turned over to him the unlicensed firearm supposedly for safekeeping.

But because he conspired with the two suspects by keeping the unlicensed gun, he was still included in the charge.

The minor, who is a “habal-habal” driver in barangay Kalunasan, said he and Gabutan took the Iranian’s wallet which contained P380 cash but left behind the victim’s cell phone in their rush to flee.

The accused spent the money on food. Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)