4 charged with murder of crusader

FOUR more people accused in the fatal shooting of an anti-drug crusader last June will face trial for murder.

The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor found evidence to charge Oliver Devilleres, alias “Kabang,” Glandyl Reyes, Ramil Sibunghanoy, and Marjun Sibunghanoy murder for the death of Pastor Crisostomo Maternal Jr.

The other accused – Gary Daclan and Benjie Dela Cerna – were earlier charged with murder in court last June 20. Murder is a non-bailable offense.

In his sworn statement, Daclan, who was arrested by authorities in Baran- gay Guadalupe, Cebu City admitted that he was ordered by his boss, Ramil, to look for a gunman to silence the pastor for being a “business barrier.”

Daclan hired Kabang as the gunman and offered him P30,000 as reward.

Daclan said he was cooking dinner in their house when his neighbors told him that Maternal was shot dead. Bothered by his conscience, Daclan squealed.

“I was also bothered by some rumors in our place of being noted as the mastermind in killing the victim,” he said in his affidavit.

“I felt sad and regret- ted because I have wished the plan would not be pursued, that’s why I was bothered by my conscience,” he added.

For his part, De la Cerna, a motorcycle-for-hire driver, earlier surrendered to authorities.

Dela Cerna said that Kabang asked him to drive towards Barangay Bonbon to get the money from Daclan. He knew about Kabang’s alleged illegal drug activities.

After Kabang received the money from Daclan, Dela Cerna said he was paid P250.

Last June 5, Dela Cerna said Kabang asked him again to drive to the same barangay and was promised P1,500 for the services.

When three motorcycles passed by them, Kabang reportedly asked Dela Cerna to tail and overtake because he was in a hurry.

Kabang then pulled out a gun and shot the backrider of one of the three motorcycles who was later identified as Maternal.

Maternal was a member of the anti-crime volunteer group Community Investigative Support.

The respondents failed to submit their counteraffidavit, prompting the prosecutor to resolve the complaint based on the evidence presented by the complainant.

In the resolution, Prosecutor Naruzen DelfinLorete held that the circumstances surrounding the case showed that the respondents conspired to kill the victim.

“The instantaneous death of the victim after he was shot in the head by the gunman (Oliver) Devilleres showed that the intent to kill was with treachery and with evident premeditation,” said Lorete in the resolution.

Likewise, the prosecutor said the killing of Maternal was in consideration of a monetary reward.