2 suspects in Espinosa slay face additional charge

MASBATE CITY — The Task Force Espinosa has filed additional murder charges against two of the seven suspects in the Aug. 9 killing of Mayor Moises Espinosa Jr. here.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Enteria, Masbate police director, said another murder case was filed against suspects Ramil Ayque and Alberto Choy with the prosecutor’s office after witnesses positively them as the killers of a certain Benjamin Sia Lao along the national highway in Barangay Tugbo last July 27.

Enteria said Choy, an inmate facing charges of rape and illegal possession of firearms, was one of the prisoners whom Charlie Quidato, former warden of the provincial jail, allowed to escape before the May 14 elections.

One of the "escapees" was Alex Alteza who, together with Quidato, also stands accused for the Espinosa murder.

The Task Force Espinosa already has seven suspects under its custody, including the three alleged "triggermen" in the Espinosa slaying: Quidato’s elder brother Isagani, jail guard Rolando Boncaras and Alexander Bermoy.

Enteria said multiple murder charges have been filed against the suspects and a number of John Does with the provincial prosecutor’s office in connection with the Espinosa slaying.

Espinosa was gunned down during a fiesta dance in the coastal village of Bantigue. Three other persons were killed and four others were wounded in the shooting.