CEBU, Philippines - For lack of evidence to sustain a conviction, the Regional Trial Court cleared three men who were accused of murder five years ago.
Cleared from charges were John Metante, Jeffrey Delos Santos, and Edward Maranga. They were accused of killing a certain William Dungog III using an improvised shotgun locally known as “pugakhang” last December 2004.
Two major factors led to the dismissal of the case —the testimonies of witnesses in court were inconsistent to their written affidavits and the decision of the court to expunge the testimony of witness Carmelita Dungog from the records of the case after her repeated failures to appear in the hearings despite a warrant.
The other witness, Carlito Caballes, also told the court that he was only made to sign an affidavit reportedly prepared by Dungog’s mother but did not actually see the killer. RTC Branch 10 judge Soliver Peras said the prosecution failed to establish the degree of proof necessary to sustain a conviction beyond reasonable doubt. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)