Six men face murder cases

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office elevated two separate murder cases in court involving a stabbing and a shooting incident that happened in Cebu City.

Prosecutors Jose Nathaniel Andal and Ruso Zaragoza recommended no bail against the six accused that were charged for murder.

In the resolution penned by Zaragoza, he found probable cause to charge Jose Bancal, Leonardo Carolasan, Romelito Mamogay and Rolito Carolasan for conspiring with each other in stabbing 16-year-old Jeffrey Sabroso on March 31, 2011 at around 12:00 a.m. at Sitio Nava, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

Zaragoza said he sent a subpoena to the accused to file their controverting evidence but they failed to comply. He said he resolved the case based on the evidence of the prosecution.

In the affidavit of 12-year-old Jason Sabroso, the brother of the victim, he said he saw the incident wherein the accused, who are their neighbors, helped each other in killing his brother.

Because of fear that the accused might see him, he ran away and called his parents for help.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Andal recommended no bail against Ronnie Flores Empaces and Jc Mabasa for killing Jeffrey Abala, Jr.

Abala died after a shooting incident that took place on March 6, 2011 at about 12:30 a.m. at Sitio Adelfa, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

In the affidavit executed by Fula Gonzales, who was with the victim at the time of the incident, she said she saw Empaces together with two other youngsters whom she believed to be members of Crips gang. They approached the victim and asked if he was “El Chennito”.

Gonzales said that after Empaces asked question, he then pulled a gun and shot the victim. The victim managed to run but was chased by the companions of Empaces.

Because of fear, Gonzales boarded a PUJ and went home to Minglanilla and informed the mother of the victim of what happened.

Prosecutor Andal subpoenaed the two accused in their respective residents at Kinasang-an to file their counter-affidavits but they failed to submit any. This was the basis of Andal to elevate the case to the court. — (FREEMAN)