ROBINSON'S HEIST: Bid to bail fought

CEBU, Philippines - Following the motion to post bail filed by one of the accused in the botched robbery of a roving bank teller in Fuente Osmeña, state prosecutor Aida Sanchez asked the court to deny the motion for lack of merit.

In her opposition, Sanchez opposed the motion to post bail filed by Rolien Castro citing the crime they committed was a “heinous crime.”

Earlier, Castro filed a motion to post bail claiming evidence against him was weak.

Castro added his name was never included in the complaint filed before the Prosecutor’s Office and the charge sheet filed before Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Regional Trial Court Branch 19.

However, Sanchez opposed the contention of Castro.

“Contrary to the allegation of the defense counsel that the evidence of guilt of the accused is weak or non-existent the prosecution’s evidence will show that the said accused was part of the highly-publicized heist committed in broad day light at Robinson’s place,” the opposition read.

She added it may be true that the name of Castro was unknown when the complaint was filed but the police were able to eventually identify them.

Earlier, Castro and his co-accused Junjun Cabando pleaded not guilty to robbery with homicide. The court deferred the arraignment of Merlyn Laguitao, the live-in partner of Cabando, pending resolution of the motion to quash information.

The three were accused of robbing a bank teller inside a mall on Sept. 5, 2011 where two security guards died, and a bank teller and two police officers were wounded.

Three robbers also died after they were shot by pursuing policemen.

The pre-trial is set for Oct. 2, 2012.     - THE FREEMAN