CIDG men in Espinosa slay want raps dismissed

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) team tagged in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap in a provincial jail in November have appealed their indictment by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The CIDG operatives led by Superintendent Marvin Marcos sought a review of the cases filed against them.

The respondents insisted that they only defended themselves from Espinosa and Yap, who fired at them when they served search warrants.

Baybay City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Carlos Arguelles granted the plea of the respondents to reset the arraignment.

Two counts of murder were filed against Marcos, Senior Inspector Deogracia Pedong Diaz III, Chief Inspector Calixto Canillas Jr., Inspector Lucresito Candelosas, Senior Police Officers 2 Benjamin Dacallos and Antonio Docil, SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo, PO3 Norman Abellanosa, PO2 John Ruel Doculan and Jaime Bacsal and PO1 Jerlan Cabiyaan.

Superintendent Santi Noel Matira, Chief Inspector Leo Daio Laraga, SPO4 Melvin Caboyit and PO3 Johnny Abuda Ibanez were also charged with murder over the killing of Espinosa.

Senior Inspector Fritz Bioco Blanco, SPO4 Juanito Duarte, PO2 Lloyd Ortiguesa and PO1 Bernard Orpilla were included in the charge sheet for the murder of Yap.

Abellanosa, Laraga and witness Paul Olendan were indicted for two counts of violation of Article 129 of the Revised Penal Code for maliciously obtaining search warrants.