DOJ to review murder charges vs mayor, 14 others

AGOO, La Union – The Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila will review the murder charges filed against Mayor Severino Carbonell of Sto. Tomas, La Union and 14 of his alleged accomplices who were implicated in the killing of Balaoc Barangay Captain Arturo Colobong on April 18, 2004.

Carbonell’s lawyers requested the DOJ to review the case including the result of the investigation submitted to the Regional Trial Court here by lawyer Nestor Tolentino, La Union’s acting provincial prosecutor.

The accused filed the motion for review to prevent the immediate issuance of warrants of arrest.

Judge Clifton Ganay of RTC Branch 31 granted the motion for the withdrawal of the information filed by Tolentino after Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales ordered Provincial Prosecutor Rogelio Hipol to file a motion for withdrawal.

The DOJ will release the result of the review in 60 days.

Carbonell, including former vice mayor Carlito dela Cruz, Atty. Jose Quesada Jr. and 12 of his aides led by certain Eduardo Ramirez were implicated in the death of Colobong, who allegedly fixing nets near his fishpond when he was killed.

The murder was allegedly politically motivated because Colobong was identified with former mayor Adolfo Estonactoc, who opposed Carbonell during the 2004 elections.