CEBU, Philippines – Two policemen and a civilian are facing charges before the Regional Trial Court for robbery with violence and intimidation.
Graft prosecutor Julius Java elevated the case of SPO1 Ahmed Lozano, PO2 Alex Hermoso and Jay Lozano Bolado in the court after finding probable cause that the three accused helped each other to gain and steal the belongings of Jay Mark Deodoro.
Java recommended a bail of P100,000 each.
He stated that he gave the accused an opportunity to submit evidences but they failed to do so.
He resolved the complaint based on Deodoro's statement and evidences. Deodoro stated that on September 5, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. he alighted from a taxi when Lozano appeared before him with a firearm tucked on his waist. He added that Lozano told him to board a motorcycle and said, "Don't make any move, so that your skull will not be blown out, you are high, you sniff shabu."
Deodoro said because of fear he rode on the motorcycle of Lozano while Hermoso and Bolado followed them on board their own motorcycles.
When they reached Katipunan St. Lozano ordered Deodoro to alight from the motorcycle. The three then frisked him despite his protest.
Deodoro claimed that Hermoso took his wallet containing more than P41,800 and his driver's license. Bolado took his wristwatch worth P5,000 and his cellphone worth P7,000.
The three warned him not to report the incident to anybody, otherwise they will kill him.
Deodoro still reported the incident to the police station to prove that he did not sniff shabu.
On November 14, 2007 the three accused were directed to submit their respective counter-affidavits but they failed to comply with the order.
Java said they are deemed to have waived their rights to controvert the allegations.
"After a careful scrutiny of the evidence on record, this office finds probable cause to indict the three accused of the crime charged," stated the prosecutor. (FREEMAN)