Supreme Court transfers journalist slay case to Cebu City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the transfer of the case involving the killing of Davao journalist Jessiderio Camangyan allegedly by a policeman, to Cebu City.

Reports said the SC ordered the transfer of the murder case against PO1 Dennis Jess Lumikid from the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in Mati, Davao Oriental to a special court in Cebu City that handles the killings of journalists.

The sala of Mati RTC Judge Jordan Reyes reportedly got the SC order last Nov. 9, a day before Lumikid pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Some sectors hailed the SC move, saying some influential people might meddle in the case, as Lumikid reportedly acted as bodyguard to some local politicians.

Lumikid was identified by Camangyan’s common-law wife as the one who shot her husband on the night of June 14 this year in Barangay Old Macopa, Manay town.