Evidence `weak’ against Galua

Claiming his client could not be linked to Rotoras murder

ALMOST two weeks after Architect Rey Galua was arrested and declared as person of interest the police have yet to file charges that would finally link him to the murder of slain university president Dr. Ricardo Rotoras

Galua’s legal counsel, lawyer Arturo Ubaub said the police have nothing against his client, besides the illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges which

Ubaub has consistently debunked as fabricated.

“They have no evidence. This Monday I will submit a counter-affidavit for the firearms and explosive charges but even in this case, their evidence is also weak,” he said.

Ubaub disclosed that Police Superintendent Tom Tuzon, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Northern Mindanao, wrote to the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office last December 8 to inquire if Galua is a licensed holder of firearms.

The Firearms and Explosives Office at Camp Crame subsequently confirmed that Galua owns a caliber .45 and caliber 9mm, both registered.

The following day, December 9, Galua was then arrested.

Ubaub, a former Misamis Oriental provincial prosecutor, said it is questionable that police still included the two licensed firearms in their case even if they have verified that both were registered.

“Tingali para ingnon nga daghan gyud ug maglisod mi ug depensa,” he said.

During the CIDG raid at Galua’s residence, they claimed to have uncovered two grenades, two caliber .45 pistols, a 9mm pistol, a caliber .38 pistol, ammunition, M-16 rifle magazines, and a bolo, among others.

“We will also question the placement of the planted evidence, sayunan ka, ang granada gibutang sa ibabaw sa butangan ug mga sinina, dawbi kung ma-ablihan sa mga bata?” he said.

“Kining police, suspetsahan ka, ila kang tan-awon kung naa ba kay armas, dawbi kung walay armas unya ila kang gi-ronda, butangan gyud ka nila diha para murag tinuod ilang duda, pero kung tan-awon nimo ang tao, nganu man magkupot siya ug granada, unsay iyang tuyo? Unsay iyang pagkatawo? Dunay connection sa wala kay siguro diha nato ma-connect ang granada. Pero remember ang granada is not a commercial entity, dili ka makapalit ana bisan asa, military ra gyud ang makakupot ana,” he said.

Galua is still under hospital arrest at Polymedic Plaza-Kauswagan for his ailing heart condition.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Task Group-Rotoras (SITG) has refused to comment on the development of their investigation.

Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa said as of now, they are focused on searching for leads to the gunmen who killed Rotoras last December 2, 2017.