Suspect’s review to be appealed

Archival ambush

CEBU, Philippines — Lawyer Rameses Victorius Villagonzalo, the legal counsel of Paolo Cortes, the lone survivor in the ambush that killed lawyer Noel Archival and two others four years ago, said they will file a motion for reconsideration.

This after Department of Justice undersecretary Deo Marco earlier granted the petition for review filed by former Highway Patrol Group-7 official, Senior Superintendent Romualdo Iglesia.

Iglesia assailed the resolution of acting provincial prosecutor Jesus Rodrigo Taga-an who indicted him for three counts of murder and frustrated murder.

Marco, in his penned resolution, cleared Iglesia citing the gathered evidence “do not clearly and convincingly show or demonstrate that respondent-appellant Iglesia was part of the alleged conspiracy in the shooting and killing of Atty. Archival.”

Archival, his driver Alejandro Jayme, his bodyguard Candido Miñoza, and Cortes were ambushed last February 18, 2014 in Barangay Corro, Dalaguete, Cebu, while they were on their way to Cebu City from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, where Archival attended a hearing.

Marco further said there was no evidence that Iglesia was involved in the conspiracy to kill Archival.

Aside from Iglesia, Senior Inspector Joselito Lerion and Police Officer 1 Alex Bacani, who were then members of the HPG-7, were also charged with multiple murder and frustrated murder.

The petitions for review of Lerion and Bacani are still pending before the DOJ.

Villagonzalo said that he has yet to receive the resolution of the DOJ.

“Don’t know about that, wa pa koy copy,” when asked for a comment of DOJ’s resolution.

However, Villagonzalo believes that Iglesia was involved in the commission of the crime.

“Klaro man to apil Iglesia,” he said, adding that was why he was in hiding, “flight is a sign of guilt.”

No one from Archival’s family was available for comment yesterday. (FREEMAN)