1 more indicted in mayor's son's death

 CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office has charged another man in relation to the killing of Carl Apura, the youngest son of Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura.

Acting Carcar City Prosecutor Mario Edgardo Montenegro recommended the filing of charges against James Ali Castañares after finding out that he was allegedly one of the accomplices of accused Jaybhoy Lauron.

“There is probable cause as an accomplice for the crime of murder as to respondent James Ali Castañares when he provided a gun to Jaybhoy Lauron,” Montenegro’s resolution reads.

Apura was killed dawn on May 13, 2012 in Sitio Tubod, Barangay Villadolid, Carcar City.  Another respondent identified is Jethro Lapiña.

The prosecutor’s office earlier named 10 people allegedly having a hand in Apura’s death, but the case against eight of the suspects – Jewish Lapiña, Glenn Cinco alias Impiong, James Ali Castañares, Jay Castañares, Zig Abarquez, Demosthenes Abarquez alias Dugo, Rizal Cayme alias Izal and a certain Jetto – was reinvestigated.

In a resolution dated August 22, 2012, Montenegro dismissed the complaint against Jewish, Cinco, Jay, Zig, Demosthenes, Rizal and a certain Jetto, saying their participation in the crime was not established.

Last May 17, 2012, Lauron was arrested in Barangay Tripole Union, Catigbian, Bohol through a hot pursuit operation. Lapiña was arrested on the same day in Sitio Tubod.

Witnesses Danny Tolico and Marc Anton Satorre said they saw Lauron shoot Apura. The statement was corroborated by Mark Satumbakal.

Meanwhile, Chris Lastima, a motorcycle driver, pointed to Castañares as the one who handed the gun to Lauron and that the latter pulled the trigger on Apura.

Zig, Glenn, Rizal, Jetto, Demosthenes, James Ali have denied the charges. They said they were not in the crime scene when the incident happened.  (FREEMAN)