CORPORAL WHO KILLED SERGEANT: Judge issues warning vs. soldier for not attending court hearing

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court yesterday issued a stern warning against Corporal Jesusito Bayang for failing to attend the April 22 hearing that was supposedly scheduled for his presentation of evidence before Branch 12 Judge Estela Alma Singco.

Singco, in an order, warned Bayang that if he fails again to appear on the next hearing of his case, he is already deemed to have failed his right to present evidence for his defense.

Bayang’s lawyer, Atty. Rameses Villagonzalo, has filed a motion to postpone the hearing last April 22 saying that he has received text messages from his client last April 19 that he cannot attend the hearing because he is currently in Surigao solving a family problem that needs his immediate attention.

Villagonzalo also said that Bayang cannot attend for lack of funds and money in going back to Cebu to attend the hearing but he assured that his client will be present on the next hearing scheduled on May 24.

Singco said that the court was not informed that the accused is in Surigao which made the judge issue an order asking Bayang to explain in writing why his bail bond should not be cancelled and a warrant of arrest not be issued against him for violating his own undertaking.

“The accused is considered to have forfeited his right to present evidence during the April 22 hearing and sternly warn that if he fails to appear the next hearing, he is deemed to have failed his right to present evidence on his defense,” Singco said.

Bayang reportedly shot dead his senior official, Sgt Romeo Mendez, last year inside the mess hall of the 7th Finance Service Unit at Camp Lapu-Lapu, headquarters of Central Command (Centcom) in Barangay Apas, Cebu City. He was charged with murder but he was able to post bail after the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office downgraded to homicide the complaint that was earlier filed against him.

Bayang was able to pay P40,000 for his temporary release after Prosecutor Alexander Acosta downgraded the case against him for killing Mendez. —