6 tagged in Pestaño slay case surrender

MANILA, Philippines - Six Navy personnel implicated in the murder of Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño surrendered yesterday to their superiors to face the charges against them.

The sailors will be placed under the custody of the Navy provost marshal following their surrender after the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 55 issued warrants of arrest against them.

The six Navy men still in active service are Commander Reynaldo Lopez, Lt. Commander Luidegar Casis, Lt. Commander Alfrederick Alba, and Lt. Commander Joselito Colico; and enlisted personnel Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Sandy Miranda and Hospitalman 2nd Class Welmenio Aquino.

Ana Luz Cristal, lawyer of the Navy men, said the warrants were issued last January but were served to her clients last Monday night.

Cristal said they would also file a motion that would allow the Navy to take custody of the retired soldiers implicated in the case. She said the surrender was not a sign of guilt.

“We will just follow the process,” Cristal said in Filipino.

In 1995, Pestaño was found dead in his cabin with a pistol and a letter saying that he committed suicide. Pestaño was a deck officer and cargo officer of BRP Bacolod City.

His death came after he allegedly discovered that the cargo loaded on the ship were illegally cut logs and about 50 sacks of shabu passed off as flour.

He allegedly refused to approve the cargo despite the orders of his superiors.

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict 10 Navy men for murder.

Four of the ten respondents have retired from the service, namely Navy Capt. Ricardo Ordoñez, Lt. Commander Ruben Roque, Petty Officer 1st Class Cartlito Amoroso and Petty Officer 2nd Class Mil Igcasan Leonor.