Court denies release of suspects in ambush

CEBU, Philippines – The Mandaue City Regional Trial Court yesterday denied the petition to release the suspects in the killing of a driver and the wounding of his employer in an ambush in barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City last August 4, 2010 for lack of basis.

Mandaue RTC Presiding Judge of Branch 28, Executive Judge Marilyn Lagura-Yap said the police in Mandaue City have evidence that charges have been filed in court against the suspects.

The four suspects are identified as Orbel "Darwin" Inihao, 22, of Lapu-Lapu City; Maritess "Barbie" Velasco, 34, and her live-in partner Johnjoy 'JB' Palopalo, and Rodelito Buenavista.

Lawyers Rolando Tiempo and Joel Enolpe who represent the suspects filed a petition before the court and asked that they be released on the basis that their arrest was illegal.

Tiempo said the arrest was violated the personal liberty of the accused.

But the Mandaue City police represented by lawyer Ludoveco Cutaran presented documents to prove that charges have already been filed against the suspects.

Orbel Inihao and Maritess Velasco were formally charged before the court for illegal possession of firearms.

Separate charges have also been filed against the suspects for attempted murder and murder for the death of the driver Sonny Boy Mahilum.

Businesswoman Debie Yu was injured after she jumped out of her car.

The suspects are presently detained at the Mandaue City Jail.

A commitment order from the court was also presented by Cutaran in yesterday's hearing.

However, Yap said there is no basis to say that the arrest of the suspects was illegal. She said there is basis to hold them in detention because of the formal charges filed against them.

Aldrin Montecalvo, the suspected gunman was arrested by the police in barangay San Isidro in San Francisco town in Camotes Island.

A certain Ike, who is believed to have participated in the killing is still at large.

Earlier, Mandaue police said the target was Yu's daughter Raquel who the suspects had presumed was on board the vehicle. (THE FREEMAN)