Dept. store mauling Court denies bail for two accused

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office recommended no bail for the two security personnel of a downtown department store who mauled to death a 23-year-old shopper they accused of shoplifting almost a year ago.

State prosecutor Anna Lou Fernandez-Cavada has indicted Mauricio Doblados Jr., former security head of the store, and Jeffrey Aquino, former closed-circuit television camera operator, for murder.

Cavada has found probable cause to charge Doblados and Aquino in court for killing Mario Alfie Ducayag.

Ducayag was brought into the store's security office on April 12, 2013 after he was allegedly caught stealing a pair of Sandugo sandals. Doblados and Aquino allegedly mauled the victim during investigation, which led to his death.

There were three people that the National Bureau of Investigation-7 has recommended to be charged. Aside from Doblados and Aquino, the NBI also included Melvin Boyles in the complaint.

In fact, Boyles was also included in the original indictment but was dropped from the list of the accused after filing a motion for reconsideration.

It was assistant city prosecutor Gandhi Truya who recommended Boyles' exoneration after finding no evidence against him.

Marie Shantylle Ducayag, sister of the victim, was glad about the filing of the case in court and is hoping that the accused will be arrested soon.  (FREEMAN)