Raps filed vs 3 suspects in Basilan judge’s slay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Murder charges were filed yesterday against three men tagged in the fatal ambush of Judge Joseph Wee Sit of the Basilan Regional Trial Court Branch 2.

The Zamboanga peninsula police said the charges were filed before the Zamboanga City Prosecutor’s Office at past noon.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said the charges were based on results of investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Task Group “Wee Sit.”

The complaint was supported by judicial affidavits and other documentary and forensic evidence gathered by investigators at the scene of the ambush, which occurred in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City on Thursday morning.

Wee Sit was driving his Ford Explorer when two motorcycle-riding men waylaid him along Putik-Tumaga Road at past 5 a.m.

Ragay said one of the respondents was identified as the gunman and the two others were drivers of the motorcycle and a getaway support vehicle.

The filing of the complaint is proof of the commitment of the regional police toward pursuing justice through diligent investigation, evidence-based case build-up and close coordination with concerned law enforcement units, Ragay said.