Topnotch lawyers to defend massacre suspect

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A battery of topnotch lawyers, led by outgoing Bayom—bong Mayor Severino Bagasao Jr., will defend seaman Danilo Afalla from multiple parricide charges in connection with the massacre of Afalla’s wife and three children aged 5 to 13.

Afalla, 42, was brought here to face the charges last Friday, a day after US agents turned him over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Afalla, who hails from this town, was presented to the Municipal Trial Court and later brought to the cell prepared for him two months ago after he was tagged as the principal suspect in the killing of his 40-year-old wife, Recy, and children, Chinee Claire, 13; Mark Anthony, 11; and Michael Angelo, 5.

He slipped out of the country last April 19, a day after the bodies of his family were found in a shallow grave along the bank of the Magat River here. He was arrested in Miami, Florida, USA where his ship was docked.

Chief Superintendent Dominador Resos, Cagayan Valley police director, led a team of NBI agents and local policemen in accompanying the suspect to the sala of MTC Judge Alexander Balut, and to his detention cell.

Speechless and shocked, Afalla’s relatives, including his teary-eyed mother, waited for him at the detention cell.

"From here to Germany to Miami, it’s now the end of the road for Danilo," said Chief Inspector Narciso Verdadero Jr., provincial intelligence officer.

Afalla’s high school friend, Mario Santos, would be the vital prosecution witness. Three days before the bodies were discovered, the suspect visited Santos alone, aboard his family’s Mitsubishi Adventure where Santos saw bloodstained bedsheets and slippers.

Afalla, who looked haggard when presented to the media here, denied having committed the crime. His family refused to give any comments. — Charlie Lagasca