2 siblings, 5 others face raps

MANILA, Philippines - Two younger siblings of 23-year-old Ram Revilla (Ramgen Jose Bautista in real life) were charged yesterday for allegedly conspiring to kill the actor last Oct. 28.

Ma. Ramona Belen Bautista, 20; and Ramon Joseph Bautista, 18, were charged with murder together with five others accused of helping them execute the killing in the Bautista residence in BF Homes, Parañaque.

“The motive is personal,” city police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran said without elaborating.

Revilla is the eldest of nine children of former senator Ramon Revilla Sr. and Genelyn Magsaysay. The 84-year-old former action star was rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City yesterday. Doctors said he is suffering from cough, fever and hypertension but is already “stable and doing very well.” He will undergo several tests and may stay in the hospital for seven days.

Police identified the other five as alleged hitmen Michael Jay Altea and Roy Francisco “Kiko” Tolisoro (not Tolisora as earlier reported); certain Glaiza Vista; Norwin “Toto” de la Cruz; and a certain Bryan.

Coverup

Ramona claimed to have been kidnapped by her brother’s attacker, but police said it was part of the “coverup.” Chief Inspector Enrique Sy, head of Task Force Ramgen and chief of the city police investigation unit, said they found out “the abduction never happened.”

The charges were formally filed before the city prosecutor’s office after Joseph was nabbed in Bacoor, Cavite Monday night. His arrest came hours after Altea and Tolisoro were arrested near their houses in Tramo, Barangay San Dionisio early Monday morning. Joseph, who chose to remain silent on the allegations, is represented by lawyer Ricardo Garrido.

The three are detained at the old Parañaque police headquarters in Barangay La Huerta, while a manhunt is ongoing for the other four.

Execution

Revilla was shot and stabbed to death in his house on President’s Avenue, Phase 6-A, BF Homes Parañaque about 10:30 p.m. last Friday.

According to police, Ramona said she had just opened the door to her brother’s bedroom and was supposed to borrow Revilla’s video recorder when the gunman barged in.

Revilla and girlfriend Janelle Manahan were resting then when the lone attacker opened fire. Manahan was shot twice to the jaw, while Revilla sustained three gun shot wounds.

The crime took place in “less than a minute,” said Beltran.

“Janelle asked Ramona to call an ambulance but the latter did not respond,” Sy said. “Ramona left and did not come back.”

Beltran said at least three witnesses, including security guards, saw Ramona leave the village minutes after Joseph left. Ramona was later found in Las Piñas, claiming that the attacker dragged her into a van and dropped her near a mall after driving around for an hour.

Security guards and vendors near the mall, however, said they did not notice any vehicles drop Ramona off. They said Ramona approached a 24-hour food stall, trembling, and asking for help because her brother was killed.

While security guards were talking to her, a van arrived and brought her to the police station, where she was later fetched by her half-brother, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

Motive

The police kept mum on possible motives but admitted that sibling rivalry over money is one of the angles they are investigating.

But in a statement to the cops, witness Ruel Puzon said “Michael and Kiko were paid P200,000. They said Ramgen was supposed to be killed because he was bad, he defied his parents and hurt his siblings.”

Puzon claimed the two alleged hitmen are his long-time friends and he was supposed to join them in killing Revilla.

Police said he “voluntarily” gave his statement to the police. A P500,000 reward has been offered by the senator to anyone who can provide leads.

The plan

Last Friday’s murder was the second attempt on Revilla’s life, Puzon said. The group was supposed to attack the actor on Oct. 12 but scuttled the plan when they knocked on Revilla’s bedroom door and heard the sound of a gun being cocked, he added.

The group met again on Oct. 14 and 17, Sy said. Police alleged that Joseph also “paid P19,000” for the hitmen to purchase the things needed to carry out the crime, including guns.

According to Puzon, the group went back to the Revilla’s house several times and it was Joseph who served as their “contact” and gave the plate number of Revilla’s car.

Sy said it was Joseph who asked his friend, Bryan, to look for gunmen. – With Perseus Echeminada