3 Ramgen slay suspects set to be arraigned

MANILA, Philippines - The three accused middlemen in the Ram Revilla (real name Ramgen Bautista) slay case are scheduled to enter their plea before a Parañaque regional trial court (RTC) judge today.

The arraignment of Glaiza Visda, boyfriend Norween de la Cruz, and Ryan Pastera is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. at RTC Branch 274. Resty Mendoza, lawyer of Ramgen’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, said presiding Judge Fortunito Madrona set the date last week.

Mendoza said after the arraignment, their camp will oppose Pastera’s motion to be detained at the National Bureau of Investigation. Manahan’s other lawyer, Argee Cruz, earlier accused NBI of coddling Pastera.

Pastera, who surrendered to the NBI on Jan. 24, was turned over to the court the next day. 

Mendoza will also ask the court to issue a hold departure order to prevent the three suspects and the other accused from leaving the country in case they are granted bail or escape from jail.

Mendoza said they will include Ramona, Ramgen’s sister, “even if she’s abroad just to make sure she cannot leave again- in case she plans to come back.”

Accused gunmen Francis Tolisora and Michael Nartea said Pastera reportedly asked Visda and De la Cruz to help him find gunmen to kill Ramgen, an allegation the three of them denied.

Pastera is allegedly friends with two of Ramgen’s siblings, Ramon Joseph and Ramona, who are accused of masterminding his Oct. 28, 2011 murder.