Rockwell guard says Anikow started brawl that led to his death

MANILA, Philippines - A security guard at the Rockwell Center in Makati City on Thursday testified that it was George Anikow, the 41-year old United States Marine who instigated the brawl with four men that later ended in his mauling and fatal stabbing.

Security guard Jose Rommel Saavedra said he was manning his post at the Rockwell Center gate at  the area of Kalayaan Avenue and Rockwell Drive at about 4 a.m. on Nov. 24 when Anikow, who according to him was drunk, arrived walking from nearby Burgos St.

Saavedra said Anikow, who was in a pair of brown shorts and a blue shirt, asked if he could enter the gate going to the Rockwell Center. Saavedra said he told Anikow to wait as the gate does not open until 5 a.m.

Saavedra said Anikow then did not leave his side until the accused Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24; Crispin Dela Paz, 28; Osric Cabrera, 27; and Galicano Datu III, 22; arrived aboard a Volvo sports utility vehicle (TOJ-886).

According to Saavedra, he asked Abastillas, the driver of the SUV where they were going. Abastillas said Saavedra said they were going to the Joya Lofts and Towers inside the Rockwell Center.

Saavedra said that as they were talking, Anikow joined the conversation and told the four men to present their identification cards and show Saavedra “some respect.” “Ang sabi ko, pasensya na po Sir, kanina pa nagungulit sa akin 'yan (Anikow),” Saavedra said in court.

“Ang sabi niya na paulit-ulit, Present your IDs, the guard is checking you. Respect the guard,” said Saavedra. Saavedra said he was restraining Anikow and was blocking him away from reaching the SUV.

Saavedra said Abastillas then asked him who the American was and he apologized saying Anikow had been pestering him since he arrived at his post. Saavedra said he then allowed the SUV to pass and enter the gate.

However, Saavedra said, he was surprised when he heard a loud thud as Anikow banged the rear portion of the SUV as it drove away from his post. 

“Nagulat na lang po ako nang may kumalabog,” he said. Saavedra also testified that Anikow also shouted invectives at the accused as their SUV drove off.

Saavedra said the SUV then stopped a short distance from his post and the four accused alighted. Saavedra said Anikow rushed to the four men and then hit one of them.

Defense lawyers said it was Cabrera who was punched in the jaw by Anikow, forcing him to fall to the ground. Saavedra said a brawl suddenly ensued that sent Anikow running toward the fence of the nearby Bel-Air Village. Saavedra said the accused followed Anikow and the brawl continued. Anikow later fell bloodied after being stabbed by one of the accused.

Saavedra told the court that he then radioed his colleagues and asked that the Volvo SUV be stopped as it sped along Estrella St. Saavedra said the SUV was stopped by his fellow guards at Estrella St. Police later recovered a tactical knife inside the SUV.

Assistant City Prosecutor Hannah Arriola presented Saavedra as prosecution witness in Thursday's continuing bail hearing at the sala of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas.

Arriola said the prosecution presented Saavedra to testify on his presence during the brawl as it was captured by a closed-circuit television camera of the Rockwell Center.

Arriola said the prosecution intends to prove that the four accused have conspired to murder Anikow, 41, a husband of an American diplomat stationed in Manila.