Gov’t has 14 witnesses vs Boratong

The prosecution has lined up 14 witnesses against Amin Imam Boratong, the alleged operator of the dismantled shabu tiangge in Pasig City, and his wife Sheryl Molera.

"No doubt about it. We have a strong case against the couple," said state prosecutor Elizabeth Berdal.

Berdal, one of the government prosecutor’s who earned the conviction of US Marine and convicted rapist Daniel Smith, said they also have documentary and other evidence against the Boratong couple.

Unlike in previous hearings, Berdal was accompanied by two other prosecutors during the start of the hearing yesterday in the sala of Judge Abraham Borreta, of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 154.

"We have enough evidence to prosecute them. Apart from our 14 credible witnesses, we have documentary and physical evidence that could stand in court," said Berdal.

Among those listed as witnesses is Samer Palao, a former right hand man of Boratong. Retired general Marcelo Ele Jr., former chief of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, and Arnel Tugade, a cameraman of ABS-CBN’s "Mission X" television program who accompanied the raiders are also included.

During yesterday’s pre-trial proceedings, Berdal presented to the court their documentary and physical evidence, some of which were also marked by the defense as their evidence.

When Berdal referred to Molera as the common-law-wife of Boratong, Molera’s lawyer, Edwin de la Cruz, corrected her saying his client was the Muslim trader’s legal wife.

Boratong and his wife broke into laughter when a surprised Berdal directed a quizzical look at them.

The prosecution presented and marked later as evidence a certificate of live birth of Alliyah Boratong, listing the accused as her parents.

De la Cruz also asked Borreta to decide on his clients’ petition for bail but the prosecution asked that they be given enough time to present evidence against the move.

The hearing is scheduled to resume on Feb. 1. — Non Alquitran