Mier pleads not guilty to frustrated homicide

CEBU, Philippines - Former Punta Princesa Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Manilyn Mier pleaded not guilty to frustrated homicide for allegedly ordering the killing of her mother-in-law March last year.

During her arraignment, Mier assisted by her counsel Arlan Richard Alvarez, did not enter a plea but under the law it was considered a plea of not guilty.

Mier was accused of masterminding the robbery incident and the attempt to kill Maria Lina on March 20, 2011 around 11:40 a.m.

Suspects Sim Abordo and Roldan Ranollo who were arrested by the police during a hot pursuit operation pointed to her as the one who hired them.

Abordo and Ranollo were already charged in court for robbery.

The two claimed they were hired by Mier and co-accused Vicente Maestrado to kill Maria Lina and her husband Ernesto.

The two alleged that the robbery was meant to be a guise to hide the real motive of killing.

Lina, the complainant of the case, said they just arrived from attending Mass and were about to leave the house for lunch with their family when the two men came.

She said an armed man suddenly appeared and grabbed her handbag containing two mobile phones and cash amounting to P340,000 and several documents.

She said she saw another man pointing a gun at their security guard Jimmy Saylanon.

When she shouted for help, the armed man pistol-whipped her in the back of the head.

She said as the men tried to flee her son, Kurt, drove up in a car and hit the motorcycle of the suspects but the two hurriedly boarded a taxi cab leaving her bag behind.

It was Prosecutor Rhodna Bacatan who recommended the filing of the case against Mier after finding probable cause. (FREEMAN)