Drug den suspect, accuser are brods - witness

A witness said Thursday that alleged Pasig City shabu flea market operator Amin Imam Boratong and his accuser are brothers.

Pacaambung Macabando, provincial prosecutor of Lanao del Sur said government witness Samer Palao told him that he and Boratong are brothers during the clarificatory hearing of the kidnapping with murder case filed against Palao.

Macabando was the 11th defense witness in the maintenance of a drug den case filed against Boratong and his wife, Sheryl Molera, before the chamber of Judge Abraham Borreta of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 154.

Macabando said he handled the kidnapping with murder case filed by Piangne Hadji Salam against Palao for allegedly killing his brother, Cadar Hadji Salam, on July 6, 2006.

The witness claimed he issued resolutions on July 13 and Aug. 30 that year to file the case against Palao in court.

He said Palao, accompanied by heavily armed Marines and policemen, went to his office to file his counter-affidavit on the case.

Macabando said Palao also promised to withdraw the charges against Boratong in exchange for dropping the kidnapping with murder case against him and the payment of P5 million for his withdrawal as a government witness.

The prosecution did not cross-examine Macabando. – Non Alquitran