Sulu mayor, cop aide face charges for 2010 killing

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales yesterday ordered the filing of homicide and obstruction of justice charges against a Sulu municipal mayor and his police bodyguard for the killing of a resident in 2010.

In a six-page review resolution, Morales said she found probable cause to indict Pang Lima Estino town Mayor Hji Munib Sahibil Estino and PO1 Hector Sabdani Abubakar before the Sandiganbayan.

Records show that the victim, Mannan Badang, was shot dead on Feb. 22, 2010 in the temporary town hall where Estino was presiding over a meeting with municipal councilors.

Complainant Aljimar Badang, the victim’s son, and the respondents though gave different versions on who killed Badang.

Aljimar, along with his witness, alleged that he saw Estino take his gun placed on top of a table and shot his father below  the neck, killing him instantly. 

For his part, Estino pointed to Abubakar as the one who shot the older Badang as the latter drew his bolo and attempted to hack him.

Morales said she found the narration of the younger Badang and his witness to be “more credible.”

“There was no ill motive shown to have motivated the complainant and his witness to point to Estino as the perpetrator of the crime,” Morales said.