Dad pleads not guilty in CSA gun case

MANILA, Philippines - A man who allegedly pointed a pistol at the head of his son’s schoolmate at the Colegio San Agustin (CSA) last August pleaded not guilty yesterday to the charge of grave threat before a Makati court.

Dominic Balane, lawyer of 18-year-old victim Jesus Manuel Garcia, said Judge Henry Laron of the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 65, set the case for mediation after construction contractor Allan Bantiles pleaded not guilty.

Garcia – who accused Bantiles of slapping him in the face and poking a .45 caliber pistol at his head in front of teachers at the CSA faculty room on Aug. 30, 2012 – was accompanied by his parents at the courtroom yesterday, Balane said.

The teenager’s parents “were a bit tense. But they had to be there to show their support to Jaymee,” the lawyer said.

Garcia’s lawyers had recommended that Bantiles be charged with attempted murder, slander and slander by deed, but the city prosecutor’s office reduced the charges to grave threat.

Balane said grave threat is considered a summary procedure case that is subject to mediation since it is an offense that only imposes an imprisonment of six months and a P500 fine.

“We have to comply with the mediation. Under the rules, this is mandatory. This is part of the pre-trial proceedings,” he said.

Laron set the mediation on June 21 and Aug. 1. Balane said the mediation sessions are confidential and will not be open to the public.

According to Balane, the case would go to trial if the two mediation sessions fail.

“We will participate but I could not say if the (Garcia) family is open. We will just have to see. We will also have to set the conditions of the settlement, if ever,” he said.

“The premise of the mediation is for the complainant to withdraw the case and decongest the docket,” Balane added.

The Philippine National Police had revoked Bantiles’ licenses for a Glock 9mm pistol and a .45 caliber pistol following the incident.