5 of 6 accused in drive-by shootings now out on bail

CEBU, Philippines - Five of the six people who admitted their participation in the series of drive-by shootings in Cebu City have posted bail for their temporary freedom.

Those who were able to post bail were Nelgin Briones Dacalso, 27; Merion Carl Camomot, 27; Mar Joseph Abellanosa, 18; a 15-year-old boy and another 17-year-old girl. They each paid the recommended P40, 000 as bail. Ernesto Andog, 24, was not allowed to post bail because he has a pending murder case.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe was disappointed with the release of the five accused saying that this would affect their current investigation and would trouble their witnesses.

The accused were supposed to pay P100, 000 each for robbery in band and a similar amount for theft or a total of P200, 000 each but was reduced to a total of P40, 000 each after the motion for bail reduction filed by the counsel for the accused was approved.

With the current development, Buenafe immediately directed Sr. Insp. Jul Muhammad Jamiri, homicide section chief, to coordinate with the Theft and Robbery Section headed by Insp. Rolando Pinili, for the filing of a separate murder complaint against the six for the drive-by attacks.

Two other alleged accomplices of the six, who were only identified by their first names as JR and Raymond, will be included in the complaint.

A separate complaint is currently being prepared by the Mandaue City Police Office against the six for another robbery in band complaint.

CCPO is also coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the apparent discernment of both minors involved in the drive-by shootings. Several victims of the drive-by shootings have positively identified the Kia Rio owned by one of the suspects, together with the last three digits of the vehicle’s plate number, as the ones used in the attacks.The six were apprehended by elements of the CCPO Mobile Police Group along Natalio Bacalso Ave. onboard a yellow multicab allegedly used in a number of robbery incidents.

A cal. 357 and .38 revolver were recovered from the suspects’ possession. —(FREEMAN)