Carcar anti-crime chief, member plead "not guilty" to murder raps

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of Carcar Anti-Criminality Task Force and one of his members who were accused of shooting to death one Herbey Paninsor last year pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Enrico Racoma and his member Felix Pantilgan entered a not guilty plea when arraigned before Regional Trial Court Judge Raphael Yrastorza.

The two were accused of killing Paninsor, 38, at the kiosk in the rotunda of Carcar City in the afternoon of March 21, 2010.

Nilo Paninsor, father of the victim, said he was expecting the two accused to enter the not guilty plea. Although he admitted being hurt upon hearing the two accused denying the charge, Nilo said he understands that it was the right of the accused not to admit.

However, he vowed to continue his quest for justice no matter who gets hurt.

“Bisag kinsa pa mu-ingon nga ihunong nako ang kaso di ko musugot,” Nilo said.

According to Nilo, he is afraid that more innocent lives will be wasted in Carcar City if he stops his fight.

Nilo said his son was just drinking juice at the rotunda when he was shot dead by Racoma and Pantilgan. The two accused were allegedly on board in government vehicle.

Nilo believes that politics was behind the killing of his son because they were identified with the opposition in the last elections. —/FPL (FREEMAN)