EDITORIAL - Brace for a long courtroom battle

After six months, the case regarding the ambush of prominent lawyer Noel Archival and two members of his staff in a southern town would soon find its way into the court for formal investigation.

Lapu-Lapu City deputy prosecutor Jesus Rodrigo Tagaan, in his resolution, found at least three officials of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit-7 and some unidentified individuals responsible for the murder of Archival and his companions on February 18 in Dalaguete town.

Tagaan said there was probable cause that would merit the filing of the case against Senior Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, Senior Inspector Joselito Lerion, PO1 Alex Bacani and others. He took into consideration the positive identification of one of the suspects by witnesses.

When charges are filed, all eyes will then be trained on the court. It will be up to the judge whether the prosecutor's findings deserve a formal inquiry into one of this year's high-profile killings.

Of course, we should be reminded that the accused are still innocent, unless otherwise proven by the court. In fact, they can always do whatever it takes, under the legal process, to prove their innocence to the world.

It was reported yesterday that the RPHU-7 officials are fighting it out for the reversal of the prosecutor's resolution finding them liable for the death of Archival and two of his men. And they still have 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.

It's good to see the case now heading to the next phase - a full-blown court trial. With the recent development, at least the families of the victims can now heave a sigh of relief as the case will soon be rolling into the judge's territory.

Whoever will be proven guilty will be up to the court to decide. However, based on the nature of the case and the parties involved, it will surely be a long, heated courtroom battle in the coming months.

 With both the prosecution and defense expected to slug it out, what is important is that justice must eventually be served to families of the victims. And dispensing it must be based on irrefutable evidence.