Fireman accused of murder allowed to post bail

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Trial Court in Cebu City has granted the motion to post bail filed by Senior Fire Officer 1 Richard Sacedon and his cohort in the alleged killing of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in 2016.

Judge Anacleto Debalucos of Branch 17 found the prosecution's evidence weak against Sacedon and Jerome Fernandez.

"After an examination of the prosecution evidence so far presented, the Court is of the view that the evidence of guilt against both accused is not strong," read the order.

Debalucos said the order should not be considered as a pre-judgment on the merits of the case since trial is not yet terminated.

Sacedon and Fernandez were charged with murder for the death of Ramil Empleo alias Rommel, 40, a resident of Sitio Kalindoy, Liburon, Carcar City, Cebu.

Empleo, who sustained gunshot wound to the head, just arrived from abroad on April 11, 2016.

Senior Police Officer 2 Wetzel Berry of the Homicide Section of the Carcar City Police Station testified that on April 14, 2016 at around 2:15 p.m., they received a call informing them that a dead person was found at Sitio Inad, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

Together with his colleagues, they went to the crime scene and conducted an investigation leading to the identification of the assailants.

Berry said with the help of barangay councilmen of Liburon, they were able to locate the house of the victim.

Therein, they talked to a certain Rea Serafin, the daughter of Haide, the wife of the deceased.

Upon the consent of Haide, Berry said they searched the house and recovered a ball cap from the Bureau of Fire Protection hanging on the wall.

Serafin told them it belongs to Sacedon.

Debalucos granted the motion of the accused even if the charge against them is punishable by reclusion perpetua, which is a non-bailable offense, because the evidence of guilt is not strong.

Debalucos allowed both accused to post P200,000 each bail for their temporary liberty while the case is pending before the court.

Lawyer Rameses Victorious Villagonzalo, legal counsel of both accused, said they were thankful to the court claiming his clients were innocent of the charged.

"Both my clients are innocent but we still have to fight with the main case," he stated, adding that what the police did is a bit of guessing game-type of investigation. —MBG (FREEMAN)