Radioman, wife plead not guilty in mayor’s slay

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A radio broadcaster from Camarines Sur and his wife, tagged in the murder of a town mayor three years ago, pleaded not guilty during the arraignment last week.

Jufre Osabal and his wife Juvy, a former mayor, are facing charges for the death of Lupi mayor Raul Matamorosa, who was shot at close range on Oct. 27, 2012 in Barangay Triangulo, Naga City.

Osabal is the station manager of dwKM-FM while Juvy succeeded Matamorosa as town mayor.

The Osabals are detained at the Tinangis Penal Farm in Pili town. They surrendered to Judge Valentin Pura over a week ago, or a day after the issuance of warrants for their arrest.

The couple denied involvement in Matamorosa’s murder. They expressed confidence that they would be proved innocent once all evidence and witnesses are presented.

The court will hear on March 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, and April 6 the couple’s motion for bail.

Lawyer Noe Botor, who represents Matamorosa’s family, asked the court to transfer the Osabals from the Pili jail facility to the Naga City District Jail to avoid the possibility that they will get special treatment.

Botor said provincial jails are under the supervision of governors. Naga, a chartered city, is not under the governor. He said the Osabals are known allies of the influential Villafuerte clan in Camarines Sur.

“Keeping them in Tinangis Penal Farm is like throwing a turtle into the water,” Botor said.