Three men face charges for slay of drug witness

CEBU, Philippines - Because of their failure to file their controverting evidence, the three accused in the robbery and killing of Bernard Liu, a witness in the 2001 congressional investigation on drugs, will face charges in court.

Prosecutor Benjo Luther Macion of Talisay City elevated the case against Rhem Balquin, 18; Bernie Balquin, 21 and Pepo Pateño, 19 after they failed to file their counter-affidavits.

“Subpoena was issued to respondents but to this date no counter-affidavit was submitted by respondents to negate the allegations against them thus this complaint is resolved sans their evidence,” the resolution reads.

Macion recommended no bail against the three accused for robbery with homicide.

Liu, 50, testified before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs in 2001 against businessman Peter Go Lim and his brother Wellington. It was one of the high-profile illegal drugs cases in the country at that time.

Liu’s body was discovered September 29, 2011 after the Talisay City police received a call from George Sarajes, a barangay tanod, about the foul odor coming from the house of Liu.

The police checked Liu’s house and discovered his already decomposing body, his neck tied with a rope.

The police also found that all cabinets and drawers were in total disarray.

According to the victim’s daughter, Abigail Abadia, missing were the metal urn jar containing his grandfather’s ashes, a gold bracelet and her father’s gun.

Recardo Ramos Sr. had told the police that on September 10, 2011 at about 3:00 a.m. he noticed a group of persons at the back of their house. He shouted at them thinking that they were stealing some coconuts again.

Recardo told the police that it was Jomie Cabañero and his brother as well as relatives, who live in front of their house and who frequently entered their premises.

Cabañero denied this saying they stopped stealing coconuts after signing a promise at the barangay hall. But he cooperated with the police after he was assured of his safety.

Cabañero said when he heard the Ramos family shouting at the group of people, he saw Rhem, Bernie and Pepo, running. He heard Rhem told Pepo that the next time they enter the house of Liu they should see to it that the latter will be killed. He said the three passed by the place almost every night.

Police said they conducted surveillance and saw Rhem cleaning a revolver inside his house. They believed this belong to Liu. They then applied for a search warrant and eventually charged Rhem for illegal possession of firearms.

Police were later told that a Romel Alesna was invited by Rhem to come with them in entering the house of Liu but refused. Police also interviewed a Jovy Mabanto, who said that sometime in September he saw the three accused climbing the fence of the victim.

Mabanto claimed he saw Bernie knocking on the victim’s door and when Liu opened it, Rhem struck his head with a piece of wood and Pepo punched Liu in the head.

Macion said based on the evidence of the complainants he found probable cause against three accused. — (FREEMAN)