Revilla slay star witness to testify

MANILA, Philippines - The star witness in the Ram Revilla murder, whose testimony led to the identification and arrest of the suspects, is scheduled to testify in court on June 5.

Ruel Puzon, also known as Katcho or Chokat, was subpoenaed by Judge Fortunito Madrona of Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 257. Aside from Puzon, the judge also subpoenaed two police officers, including Chief Inspector Fergen Torred, head of the Parañaque police’s intelligence unit.

“This will bolster our case against the accused because Puzon knew the planning,” said Resty Mendoza, lawyer for Revilla’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, who was also shot but survived during the Oct. 28, 2011 attack.

Madrona’s order was based on the request of the public prosecutor handling the case, Apolinar Quetulio Jr.

In an interview with The STAR, Quetulio said he will “connect” Puzon’s testimony to the testimony of Senior Police Officer 4 Charlie Bayoca, the first prosecution witness to take the stand since the bail hearings for the six accused started on May 2.

The six suspects in the actor’s murder are Revilla’s brother and alleged mastermind Ramon Joseph Bautista; alleged middlemen Ryan Pastera, Glaiza Visda, and Norween de la Cruz; and alleged gunmen Michael Nartea and Roy Francis Tolisora.

A seventh accused – Revilla’s sister, Ramona Bautista – fled the country. The seven are also facing a frustrated murder charge filed by Manahan.

In a cross-examination yesterday, Bayoca said Puzon provided five names allegedly involved in Revilla’s murder in his Oct. 31, 2011 affidavit. He, however, stressed that he has limited information because he is only part of the arrest team and not the investigation.

The names provided are Nartea, Tolisora, De la Cruz, and an alias Bryan (later revealed as Pastera).

Bayoca added that the police were able to immediately arrest Nartea and Tolisora because Puzon knew their addresses, unlike in the case of Visda, De la Cruz, and Pastera.

Puzon’s affidavit, obtained by The STAR, mentioned seven names, including that of Joseph and Bryan.

Joseph’s lawyer, Jeffrey Gepte, said it’s “too early to make conclusions” if Bayoca’s testimony can favor them because the policeman had repeatedly said that he was not part of the investigation.

“Let’s just wait for Puzon to testify because according to Bayoca, only five names were mentioned in the affidavit,” Gepte told The STAR.