Dalaig slay suspect charged in court

The accused killer of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief lawyer Alioden Dalaig has been charged with murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court.

In a resolution, dated June 13, Manila Assistant City Prosecutor Lea Llavore recommended no bail for Police Officer 1 Basser Ampatuan of the Shariff Kabunsuan police.

“Based on the uncontroverted evidence of the complainants (heirs of Dalaig), there is probable cause to believe that respondent Basser Ampatuan committed the crime of murder,” read the resolution.

Three witnesses identified Ampatuan as the man who shot Dalaig outside a hotel on Pedro Gil corner M.H. del Pilar Streets, Malate, Manila on Nov. 10 last year.

Domingo Lazarte, a parking attendant, identified Ampatuan in a police lineup as the man who shot Dalaig.

Another witness, Emily Autida, an overseas Filipino worker, told police she had drinks with Ampatuan on the night of the murder. She said she saw a message on Ampatuan’s cell phone pertaining to Dalaig, and two guns in the suspect’s apartelle.

Filomena Gallentes, Dalaig’s widow, identified Ampatuan as the man casing their house on Nov. 9, 2007, a day before he was killed. – Sandy Araneta