Manero pleads not

By Allen Estabillo

ALABEL, Sarangani - Convicted priest-killer Norberto Manero Jr. pleaded not guilty when he was finally arraigned yesterday morning for the 1977 kidnapping and murder of two Muslim brothers in South Cotabato.

Manero, wearing an orange prison shirt, entered the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 38 Judge Jaime Infante along with 10 other inmates accused of various crimes at around 7:45 a.m., 45 minutes early for his scheduled arraignment.

Manero's relatives, led by his common-law wife Evelyn, and several supporters also came to give him "moral support."

As expected, Manero, accompanied by his lawyer, Ruben Platon, reiterated his earlier pronouncement of innocence to the charges.

Manero, who appeared calm, was immediately whisked away by jail guards after the proceedings.

The prosecution was represented by Leo Daciera of the State Prosecution Office and Sarangani prosecutor Laureano Alzate.

For obvious security reasons, only the accused and their lawyers were allowed inside the courtroom.

Jail guards and uniformed policemen barricaded the courtroom entrance while several other lawmen were dispatched to control the crowd.

A policeman said the entire local police unit was placed on red alert for the hearing.