Arraignment of "ambush mastermind" reset

CEBU, Philippines – The arraignment of the alleged mastermind in the attempt to kill the manager of Taheiyo Cement at San Fernando, Cebu was postponed because of a standing motion for certiorari filed before the Court of Appeals.

Lawyer Rodulfo Valmoria, counsel for Jerome Noel, filed a motion for certiorari to review the court decision dismissing their motion to quash information for the cases of frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms.

It was earlier reported that Judge Gabriel T. Ingles dismissed the motion to quash information filed by Noel for failing to ruin the evidence of the prosecution.

Valmoria said that they are appealing to the high court to review the decision of Ingles.

On the other hand, Ingles said that they will resume the arraignment of Noel for the two cases on December 9.

He, however, said that after 10 days, the Court of Appeal will release the decision of the motion filed by Valmoria. Ingles added that it doesn't mean that after the CA will release the decision, the court will stop the proceedings on Noel's case.

Meanwhile, Roberto Tercero, the alleged driver of the getaway vehicle used in the ambush, is also seeking the dismissal of his case after the prosecution filed a motion to discharge him from the frustrated murder case.

The prosecution wants to make Tercero a state witness in the attempt to kill Nestor Zamoras.

One of the accused in the ambush of Zamoras, Orlando Sagnoy, pleaded guilty to the crime during his arraignment last month. Ingles sentenced him for imprisonment of at least four years for the illegal possession case and at least six years for the attempted murder case.

The ambush on Zamoras happened about three months ago, just as he was making a turn for the Ayala Access Road on his way to lunch. Two men on board a motorcycle fired shots at his vehicle but the bullets from the Ingram machine pistol used by the suspects failed to penetrate his bullet-proof car. (FREEMAN)