PNP chief: Revilla slay probe by the book

MANILA, Philippines - The Ram Revilla (real name Ramgen Bautista) murder case bears all the hallmarks of a by-the-book investigation and case buildup, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said Wednesday night.

“At the rate the investigation is going, we are confident of a successful prosecution and speedy solution of the case,” he said during PNP Night at the Manila Overseas Press Club, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City.

Bartolome said the PNP leadership squarely supports the Parañaque City police in its handling of the investigation. However, he said other pieces of evidence have yet to be put together to reconstruct the complete picture of the attack. He added that “only until after the investigation is completed that the police can confidently declare that we have established an airtight case that we can present to the court.”

He said a female suspect has “sent feelers for her to surrender.” Aside from Ma. Ramona Bautista, the only other female suspect is Glaiza Vista. Vista and her boyfriend allegedly served as middlemen between the masterminds and the actual perpetrators. The two of them, as well as an alias “Bryan” are still at large.

Witnesses alleged that Ramgen’s siblings – Ma. Ramona, 22, and Ramon Joseph (RJ) Bautista, 18, masterminded the killing and sought the services of John Michael Nartea and Roy Francis Tolisora for the hit.

All the suspects are charged with murder for Revilla’s death and frustrated murder for the attack on Revilla’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan.

Ramona camp given deadline

Assistant Parañaque City Prosecutor Leah Roma granted yesterday a request of Ramona’s lawyer, Dennis Mananzal, that he be given more time to prepare his client’s defense. Roma gave Mananzal until Nov. 18 to counter the murder and frustrated murder charges against her.

A preliminary investigation in absentia was conducted for Ramona yesterday afternoon. Ramona left the country last Friday and reportedly flew to Turkey after recanting her statement that she was kidnapped by her brother’s killer.

Under regular procedures, an accused must be present before the prosecutor when submitting the affidavit to swear on the truthfulness of its content. Ramona may also swear before a Philippine embassy official.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN reported that Ramona’s Turkish husband, Engin Tuna Bulbuloglu, believes the charges against his wife are false.

A local newspaper quoted him as saying, “Nothing will come out of this incident. Everything is merely made up of allegations. No one can touch us,” ABS-CBN said.

Suspects tried to kill Ram 5 times

Tolisora, one of the alleged gunmen arrested by the police, revealed in his counter-affidavit that he and his partners “Mario” and Nartea attempted to kill the actor at least five times but was replaced by the one who actually killed Ramgen on Oct. 28.

Tolisora said a certain “Brian” offered him P250,000 to kill Ramgen on Sept. 28. Brian was introduced to him by his friend, “Dondon.” He said Brian told him to kill Ramgen soon because he hurts his siblings and even his mother.

According to the police, Brian is a friend of RJ. Tolisora said Brian gave him a picture of Ramgen but did not inform him that the target was a son of former senator Ramon Revilla Sr.

In a separate counter-affidavit, Nartea confronted Brian about the dangers of the plan but the latter told him not to worry because “everyone in the house knows Ramgen will be killed.”

The two suspects said they made the first two failed attempts on Oct. 3 and 9, before they met RJ and Ramona. Brian, according to Tolisora, identified RJ as one of his bosses.

Both men claimed they were somewhere else when Ramgen was murdered. Their lawyer, Ana Luz Cristal, said her clients are willing to become witnesses once they are cleared of the charges.