QC court asked anew to allow car trader slay suspect turn state witness

Manila, Philippines - Prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration Monday asking the Quezon City regional trial court to allow suspect Alfred Mendiola to be a state witness in the murder of car trader Venson Evangelista without having to present evidence on his behalf.

Ferdinand Parulan and Mendiola pointed to Roger and Raymond Dominguez as the alleged mastermind in the killing. Mendiola acted as a buyer when they approached Evangelista about the Toyota Land Cruiser the car dealer was selling.

The prosecutors and Mendiola’s lawyer, Willie Rivera, said Republic Act 6981, which created the witness protection program under the Department of Justice, said only the DOJ, not the court, is qualified to determine whether an accused is qualified for the program.