Tamano murder case ordered transferred to Makati court

The Makati City regional trial court is expected to soon begin the trial of Kapai, Lanao del Sur Mayor Aminolah Mangarun for the murder of a Philippine Army Captain in Cagayan De Oro in December 2005. However, the accused is still trying to prevent the same from happening by asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its Aug. 22 decision to transfer the case.

Makati City RTC Executive Judge Winlove Dumayas will hear Mangarun’s motion tomorrow requesting that the raffling of the case be deferred.

Information gathered by The Star said the accused is asking the court to postpone the raffle because the SC is yet to resolve his motion for reconsideration.

The High Tribunal, in its ruling, ordered the transfer of the Tamano murder case to the Makati City RTC two years after the killing of Captain Sadat Tamano and his aide Sergeant Nabral Bara.

Mangarun, a colonel Pilimpinas Dagalangit, and one Lininding Ampal were later tagged and charged for alleged involvement in the ambush.

Tamano was allegedly killed after the mayor learned that he is having an affair with his wife which the Tamano family denied.

Last month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) rejected Mangarun’s appeal to reverse the filing of murder charges against him as well as the other two respondents.

Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, apparently unaware that the SC has already ordered for the transfer of venue, directed the Acting Prosecutor of Cagayan de Oro to proceed with the trial of the case.

The DOJ ruled that Mangarun failed to discredit eyewitnesses and testimonies that implicate him in the crime despite his claim that those linking him to the same have questionable motives.

Unless the SC reverses order to transfer the trial venue, the Makati City RTC is expected to handle another controversial case involving a town chief executive who allegedly killed an army officer in jealous rage.