Ruba’s ‘killers’ plead innocence

Crips gang members Aivan Barabat and Mark Anthony Gabriel yesterday entered a not guilty plea to the crime of robbery with homicide, setting aside their earlier admission to the robbery and killing of Nursing student Ruby Jade Ruba last month.

After more than a month since the incident, the family of Ruba also had a chance to see the two accused inside the courtroom where Barabat and Gabriel stood for the arraignment. 

Ruba's father, Vicente, remained calm but onlookers noted the look of pain on his face.

Vicente did not issue comments on the case anymore saying that he will let Justice take its course.  Barabat and Gabriel were represented by lawyers Noel Archival and Marlon Cabilan, respectively.

The prosecution was assisted by private counsel Rameses Villagonzalo, who was hired by the family of Ruba to assist in the prosecution of the case.  Public prosecutor Jesus Feleciano manifested that they intend to amend the information of the case to include the third accused, Karl Marx Carticiano, who was recently indicted by the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

The prosecution moved that the cases against Barabat, Gabriel and Carticiano be consolidated as it involves only one incident and victim.  The court has scheduled the pre-trial conference on May 13.

Barabat and Gabriel earlier confessed to the robbery and killing of Ruba on March 6 midnight at Gov. Roa St. in barangay Capitol Site.  The two even executed an extra-judicial confession implicating the third accused, Carticiano, as their alleged driver of the getaway motorcycle.

However, the two recanted and alleged that they were tortured by the police to admit to the crime.  – Fred P. Languido/BRP