Ibinaba ng Department of Justice (DoJ) sa homicide ang kasong murder laban sa mga detinadong pulis na isinangkot sa pagpatay kay Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. at sa drug inmate na si Raul Yap.
Bilang resulta, naghain ng mosyon si Leyte Provincial Prosecutor Ma. Arlene Hunmayor-Cordovez sa Baybay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 upang amyendahan ang kaso.
Ipinarating ni Cordovez sa korte na nag-isyu ng resolution, na may petsang Mayo 29, ang DoJ na nagkakaloob ng petition for review sa akusado at “resolved to dismiss the complaint for Murder and instead indict them for the lesser offense of Homicide.”
“Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court to recognize and give weight to the said resolution on the Petition for Review before the Department of Justice, and after due hearing, grant leave for a the public prosecution to amend and downgrade the Information for Murder to Homicide in these cases and admit the necessary Amended Informations for Homicide,” ayon sa mosyon ni Cordovez.
Dahil dito, may pagkakataon nang makapagpiyansa ang mga akusado.
Kabilang sa mga kinasuhan ng two counts of murder ay sina Supt. Marvin Marcos, Sr. Insp. Deogracias Diaz III, SPO2 Bejamin Dacallos, PO3 Norman Abellanosa, PO1 Jerlan Cabiyaan, Chief Insp. Calixto Canillas Jr., Sr, Insp. Lucrecito Candilosas, SPO2 Antonio Docil, SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo, PO2 Jhon Ruel Doculan, at PO2 Jaime Bacsal.
Kinasuhan naman ng one count of murder ay sina Supt. Santi Noel Matira, Chief Insp. Leo Laraga, SPO4 Melvin Cayobit, at PO3 Johnny Ibanez.
Gayundin sina SPO4 Juaniato Duarte, PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza, Sr. Insp. Fritz Blanco, at PO1 Bhernard Orpilla.
(JEFFREY G. DAMICOG at BETH CAMIA)