Fiscal slay suspects placed on immigration alert list

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed four suspects in the killing of Batangas assistant provincial prosecutor Alexander Sandoval last June 13 on the Bureau of Immigration’s alert list and lookout bulletin.

In a memorandum issued yesterday, DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima directed BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. to include on the list former Sta. Teresita, Batangas mayor Ana Marie Mendoza, her husband barangay chairman Hermogenes Mendoza, a certain Richard Briones and arrested gunman Jayson Espejo.

De Lima said the four suspects “are the subjects of an ongoing preliminary investigation and there is a possibility that they may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the lawful process of this honorable office by leaving the country.”

The lookout bulletin order (LBO), however, does not empower the BI to prevent the four from leaving the country since it is just for monitoring purposes.

The Supreme Court (SC) earlier had stopped the DOJ from using its power to issue a watch list order (WLO) or hold departure order (HDO) against respondents in cases. Only a WLO or HDO can prevent respondents from leaving the country.

Under the LBO, the BI is required to be on alert in monitoring the possible departure of any of the suspects in any international airport or seaport.

The bureau is also directed to immediately coordinate with the DOJ “even outside office hours, in case any of the subjects make an attempt to leave the country.”

“All concerned are strongly warned against waiting until boarding time to inform the concerned office of any attempt to leave the country,” De Lima said.

In the same order, the DOJ chief also directed Prosecutor General Claro Arellano to expedite the preliminary investigation into the criminal charges filed by police against the four.

De Lima issued the order upon the request of investigating fiscals Jayvee Lawrence Bandong and Omar Cris Casimiro.

Earlier this week, the DOJ prosecutors issued a resolution approving the filing of murder charges against Espejo before the Batangas regional trial court after inquest proceedings.

Espejo was arrested on the night of the Sandoval slay and executed an extra-judicial affidavit where he identified the Mendoza couple and Briones as the alleged masterminds.

But the DOJ panel did not find probable cause to indict the Mendozas and Briones and opted to recommend the murder charges against them “for further investigation.” Instead, they only approved the filing of a case for illegal possession of firearms against the former mayor.

Meanwhile, police said Espejo tested positive for gunpowder burns, although the gun used in killing Sandoval remains missing.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Cabatingan, Region 4-A director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the paraffin test results along with Espejo’s extra-judicial confession and a recovered Mitsubishi Pajero used in surveillance will be submitted to the DOJ to bolster the case against the suspects.

– With Ed Amoroso