Probe into prosecutor’s killing: Castro-RSOG conflict eyed

CEBU, Philippines — Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro’s conflict with the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) is among the angles the police are looking into as they continue to investigate Castro’s killing.

Castro was shot by a still unknown gunman while riding her yellow Nissan Juke along Escario Extension in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City on January 17, 2019.

In March 2016, Castro stormed Camp Sergio Osmeña and demanded that RSOG detain Maricel Raffinan Gregory, the live-in partner of Castro’s estranged husband, Leodegreco Sanchez.

When RSOG did not heed her demand, Castro allegedly kicked and opened the door of RSOG's office forcefully, prompting the cops to cuff her and detain her.

While in police custody, Castro filed charges against the cops for allegedly manhandling her, a case that led to the suspension of seven RSOG cops for six months.

The seven include former RSOG chief Rex Derilo, Senior Insp. Rex Burlat, Senior Insp. Romeo Sententa Jr., SPO1 Carlo Veloso, PO3 Joseph Bugtai, PO2 Esmeraldo Quillosa, and PO3 Cesar Pandong.

Police Regional Office Director Debold Sinas was quick to clarify that the seven are not necessarily persons of interest.

"Unless there is compelling reason kay lisud muditso (Unless there is compelling reason, it’s difficult to say directly),” he said.

Aside from the RSOG case, the police are also looking into the cases Castro handled when she was a prosecutor in Cebu City and Masbate.

"We have four leads eyed. First are the cases handled in Cebu City particular sa drugs; second, cases in Masbate; third, private life as a lawyer; and fourth, nahitabo sa iya sa former personnel sa RSOG nga nag away-away diha… gi-file niya kaso," Sinas said.

He said they will invite for questioning the cops who were suspended and have returned to active duty.

But Garma said inviting the cops for questioning would only violate their rights.

"Hindi na, wala namang connection. Merong motibo pero we have to look for other (evidence)... If ipatawag namin, ano itatanong namin? 'Kayo ba nagpapatay?' And then what? Wala namang aamin diyan. We suggest to do the investigation discreetly (There is no connection. There is motive but we have to look for other evidence. If we call them, what will we ask them? Should we ask them if they killed her? And then, what? No one will admit. We suggest to investigate discreetly),” she said.

"Maghanap tayo ng ebidensya. Sinong pumatay? Sinong nagpapatay? Bakit pinatay? Hindi yung kung sino lang ipatawag natin. Hindi yan pwede. May crime na. When we start calling people na, may motibo, we are now violating their rights (We have to look for evidence. Who killed her? Who ordered to have her killed? Why was she killed? We cannot just call anyone. That cannot be. That’s a crime. When we start calling people, there is motive; we are now violating their rights),” she added.

"Bawal yan, hindi naman sila witnesses. Merong protocols to protect their rights, and preserve the integrity of the investigation. (That’s not allowed because they are not witnesses. We have protocols to follow to protect their rights and preserve the integrity of the investigation)," Garma said further.

Garma said a Special Investigation Group will convene soon to discuss initial evidence recovered.

She assured Castro’s family that the police are looking into the case and that they should cooperate with authorities.

“I-manage nila ang grief nila. Cooperate to cops," she said. — JMO, (FREEMAN)