Face sketches of 4 suspects in lawyer slay to be released

CEBU, Philippines - Facial composites of at least four suspects in the murder of lawyer Ramon Eduardo Elesteria in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, more than two weeks ago, are now expected to be released to the public within this week or early next week,

The police were still facing a blank wall as to the motive and mastermind of the killing, but Superintendent Dominiciano Districto Jr., chief of the Bayawan City Police, confirmed that they were ready to release the sketches of the faces of the four suspects, who were seen by at least five witnesses at the crime scene.

Distrito, however, had refused to divulge the identities of the five witnesses for security reasons, and that they were in the process of executing their respective affidavits.

Distrito could only give an initial profile of the four suspects, saying they were in their late 20s, of medium built, and possibly not from Bayawan City because they were not wearing bonnets when the crime was committed.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Oriental chapter president, lawyer Cyrus Riconalla, said he already had an initial meeting with Distrito, Provincial Police head Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, and Dumaguete City Police chief, Supt. Jovito Atanacio for the possible identification of the suspects.

In a related development, Regional Trial Court-Negros Oriental Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio Jr. had written Governor Roel Degamo, requesting for the establishment of a permanent police outpost within the area of the Hall of Justice at Barangay Piapi, this city, and in all RTCs around the province.

Elesteria was shot dead only a few meters away from the RTC in Bayawan City, where he appeared as counsel for an accused in a criminal case.

Paguio asked the governor if it would be possible to field police personnel regularly in the vicinity of the Hall of Justice, where case adversaries meet before and after every court hearings.

Degamo, for his part, welcomed the idea but Carlos said he will still have to determine the personnel complement and conduct an assessment of the possibility of providing for a static security in the areas mentioned.

Existing threats of judges and lawyers will also be assessed, Carlos added.  (FREEMAN)