Espinosa clan asks court to expedite trial

A Manila judge granted yesterday the request of the family of slain Masbate City Mayor Moises Espinosa Jr. for a marathon hearing of the case because they fear for the lives of their witnesses.

"Without our witnesses, there will be no case," said Salvador Panelo, lawyer of the Espinosa family. "A marathon hearing is good not only for the victim’s family but also for the government and the accused, if they are not guilty."

Espinosa was attending a pantomina, a traditional dance, in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Bantique in Masbate City on Aug. 9 last year when he was gunned down.

Three other civilians, Fidel Macros, Henry Regalado and Junicel Cunanan, were also killed and four others were wounded in the incident.

Panelo said they asked Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 41 for a speedy trial considering "how influential the accused are."

"Even if they are detained, their influence could go beyond the bars of the jail," Panelo told The STAR.

The perceived influence of the accused, including a former provincial jail warden, was the reason why the trial was transferred from Masbate to Manila.

Yesterday’s hearing was supposed to be the first but the absence of the lawyers of the accused forced Ponferrada to reset the hearing to Nov. 25.

Facing four counts of murder are former Masbate jail warden Charlie Quidato, jailguards Isagani Quidato and Ranilo Aygui; Albert Choy, Alex Alteza, Dindo Niez and Pio Badaguas, all detainees of the provincial jail.

The eighth suspect, Rolly Ogaya, turned state witness. He is now in the custody of the Espinosa family to ensure his safety.