Raps filed vs suspects in DOJ aide’s rob-slay

MANILA, Philippines - The family of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s slain aide filed criminal charges yesterday against five alleged members of FX taxi robbery gang before the Department of Justice.

Ritchie John Cahinta, Jun Bellera, Ferdinand Paragas, Chris dela Cruz and Almario Rentillosa were charged with robbery with homicide for the death of Alister Quintos last May 10. The complainant was Quintos’ brother, Adrian.

The basis for the charges was Rentillosa’s confession that he was the driver of the Mitsubishi Adventure used by the robbery group to trap and rob Quintos and three other passengers. Assisted by lawyer Jose Marie Carbonell, Rentillosa said Quintos boarded their vehicle in Cubao on his way home to Antipolo along with a female passenger.

He said Quintos resisted and shot Bellera using his service firearm. Paragas held Quintos and prevented him from moving while Cahinta shot the victim in the chest, Rentillosa said.

The driver said they dropped Quintos’ body in San Idelfonso, Bulacan while leaving his belongings in Baliwag, Bulacan. He added that they brought Bellera to the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City for treatment. The National Bureau of Investigation said hospital records confirm Rentillosa’s statement.

Carbonell said they will move to make Rentillosa a state witness once the case is filed in court. Rentillosa and Cahinta were arrested on Oct. 6, while Bellera, Paragas and Dela Cruz remain at large.

De Lima welcomed the filing of charges, saying they are “a step closer toward achieving justice for Ali and his loved ones.”