Arrest warrants out in Belmonte slay try

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – A local court of Misamis Oriental yesterday issued warrants for the arrest of the 14 accused in the slay try on Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. last year.

Belmonte was among four persons wounded in the incident that occurred in Laguindingan in December. His two security escorts and driver were killed.

Rejoice Subejano, one of Belmonte’s lawyers, said the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 44 of Initao issued the arrest warrants against the 14 suspects, including this city’s Mayor Celso Regencia.

Subejano said Regencia’s lawyers filed a motion for reconsideration with the RTC Branch 44.

The Department of Justice recommended the filing of multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder charges against the accused three days ago, according to Subejano.

In April, Regencia was meted a six-month suspension by the Office of the President over complaints of abuse of authority filed by the Sangguniang Pang-lunsod.

The complaints stemmed from Regencia’s order requiring the city hall department heads to seek his approval in hiring casual employees.

Regencia obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals, which the Sangguniang Panglunsod questioned for lack of concurrence from the two other justices of the CA.

The CA lifted the TRO and Regencia is still serving the suspension.