No bail for man who “shot” car washer

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail for a man who allegedly shot dead a 67-year-old car washer.

 Prosecutor III Rogelio del Prado, Jr. held Frederick Lavistre Villamala, a resident of Barangay Sambag I, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause.

 “On the strength of the allegation of the witness who positively identified the respondent as the perpetrator of the crime as alleged, there is enough basis to establish probable cause that the crime had been committed and the respondent is probably guilty thereof,” read the resolution.

 A certain Reyjun Sanchez, a resident of Tres de Abril St., Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City, alleged that he witnessed the incident on August 10, 2014 at about 11:30 p.m. when Villamala shot Benjamin Fernandez Sr., along V. Rama Avenue, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City.

 Sanchez said he knew Fernandez because he was one of his customers and that he also knew the accused because they met before.

 On the said date, while riding his motorcycle from Barangay Guadalupe to his residence, Sanchez said he stopped along V. Rama Avenue where he saw the accused, who was around ten meters away, armed with an unidentified firearm.

Sanchez said the accused then shot the victim several times before fleeing away.

 Minutes later, he said police officers arrived and conducted an investigation. Sanchez said when he was approached by the police, he narrated what he witnessed.

 Prosecutor Del Prado charged Villamala for murder, saying there was a positive identification of the accused.

 “The positive identification of the witness identifying the respondent as the shooter and killer of the victim, which remains unchallenged, is a strong confirmation that probable cause exist to indict the respondent for the killing.”

 “The manner of attack against the victim, by shooting him several times without any warning and defenseless, establishes the element of treachery. Also, evident premeditation is likewise established for the purpose of probable cause when he alleged shot the victim without any argument,” read the resolution. — (FREEMAN)