‘Transfer of Balintang shooting trial to delay case resolution’

MANILA, Philippines - Government prosecutors yesterday lamented the transfer of the trial of the Balintang shooting incident from Batanes to Manila, saying this would delay the resolution of the case.

Assistant state prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, chief of a government panel tasked to handle the case, said although the transfer of the homicide case against the eight Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel would be convenient for all parties, it could delay the resolution of the case.

“While it would be more economical to try the case here, we will have to trade the logistical benefits with the caseload and the tight trial schedule of the Manila regional trial court. That might affect the speedy presentation of evidence,” Navera said. 

In a resolution released last week, the Supreme Court granted the request of the accused to transfer the trial to Manila.

The high court ordered the Batanes regional trial court to forward records of the case to the executive judge of the Manila regional trial court.

The SC said the continued hearings of the case in Batanes would be a burden for all parties involved. 

The petition was filed by PCG Seamen First Class (SN1) Edrando Aguila, Mhelvin Bendo II, Andy Gibb Golfo, Sunny Masangcay and Henry Solomon; SN2 Nicky Renold Aurello; and Petty Officer Richard Fernandez Corpuz.              

They were charged along with their commanding officer, Arnold dela Cruz, for the killing of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng in May 2013.