2 minors indicted for murder

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail against two minors who were accused of killing their neighbor who was also a minor.

Assistant City Prosecutor Jill Ann Paculba-Gealon indicted the accused, both residents of Barangay Suba, Cebu City, after finding probable cause for the crime of murder.

The two, in an inquest proceeding, opted not to undergo preliminary investigation. Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

The San Nicolas Police Station has filed a complaint of murder against the two and another suspect, Awe Montero, 18, a native of Guindakpan, Talibon, Bohol but presently residing in Barangay Suba, before the Prosecutor’s Office.

Police Officer 2 Alvin Sisles and colleagues alleged that on March 16 at 1:30 a.m. they received a call from Cebu City Medical Center of dead person alarm.

Upon investigation they learned the victim was identified as Johnel Pino, 15, a resident of Gen. Genes Street, Barangay Suba.

Personnel of Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office conducted an investigation and identified one of the suspects.

Initial investigation of Homicide Section disclosed that the victim was mauled by the accused and stabbed with no apparent reason.

The following day, Sisles said they conducted a follow-up operation. At 11 a.m. Amorin and Tabar together with their respective parents appeared before their station and voluntarily surrendered.

Gealon stated since Montero remains at-large, he will be separately charged as soon as the procedural requirements shall have been complied.

Shot dead

Meanwhile, an ex-convict was shot dead inside his house by unidentified assailant in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City last Tuesday evening.

The police identified the victim as Jeffrey Cosep, 28, who was eating when the suspect suddenly barged inside his house and shot him several times

Cosep suffered several gunshot wounds to his body which resulted to his instantaneous death.

His assailants quickly fled the area, eluding arrest of the responding policemen.

The police recovered 11 empty shells of .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene.

So far, the motive of the incident is still not yet determined.

According to police investigation, Cosep has been in and out in jail for petty cases before the incident. —Mylen P. Manto and Ermida Q. Moradas (FREEMAN)