3 King murder suspects to remain at DCPO, say

THE self-confessed gunman who shot and killed billionaire businessman Richard King last June 12 will remain in the custody of the Davao City Police Office so are his co-accused, brothers Rommel and Rodel dela Cerna.

This was the clarification made by their lawyer, Atty. Behn Joseph Tesiorna, who said that the order of RTC Branch 17 Judge Evalyn Morales granting the motion for Paul Dave Molina Labang to remain detained at the Davao City Police Office’s Investigation and Detection Management Branch (DCPO-IDBM) was in connection with the illegal possession of firearms case against him and not on the murder case.

The lawyer cited in his motion that the life of his client is in danger after he implicated Supt. Leonardo Felonia in the killing.

The lawyer said he filed a separate plea for the other two accused, dela Cerna brothers, to also remain in the police custody as they also have identified Supt. Felonia as the alleged mastermind in the killing of King. He said the court has yet to hear their motion this Friday.

Last month, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gave a stern warning against individuals who

are said to be harassing the families of the suspectsturned-witnesses in the Richard King murder case.

The live-in partner of accused gunman Paul Dave Molina Labang reportedly sought the help of the Toril Police after two armed men went to their residence in Toril offering financial support to the family.

Duterte said he will not hesitate on arresting anyone who would try to meddle with the King murder case no matter whose side they’re on or what positions they have.

The mayor called on all those who are involved in the case to face the music and let the wheel of justice grind.

Lawyer Tesiorna, meanwhile, said that they have applied for the three accused to turn state witness as they have vital information that can aid in the prosecution of Felonia.

Special Investigation Task Group head Sr. Supt. Aaron Aquino, meanwhile, said last week that they are set to look into the assets of Felonia to see if his lifestyle is appropriate to his earnings as a police official.

Aquino said it could be used as evidence in the prosecution of Felonia considering that the hit on King reportedly cost P20 million. Felonia is accused as having ordered the hit on King and is suspected to be involved as well on two other previous killings by hitmen.

Rumors flew thick and fast that Felonia is a handler of hired assassins in the region. This was, however, denied by the camp of Felonia who claimed innocence on the accusation and maintained that somebody is just out to pin him down.

The murder charge against Felonia was already filed at the Davao City Prosecution Office. Prosecutor Panfilo Lovitos has yet to find probable cause to charge him.

A “look-out bulletin order” was, meanwhile, requested by the police from the Bureau of Immigration against Felonia who is now under restrictive custody of the Regional Intelligence Unit in Camp Crame.

The purpose of the lookout bulletin order is to monitor an individual and not necessarily restrict him/her from leaving the country, while a hold departure order is needed to prevent an individual from flying out the country, which Aquino said only the court can issue such order.

Aquino, however, said the restrictive custody against Felonia would not allow him to leave the premises of Camp Crame without any approval from the PNP chief.

Aquino said he is also coordinating with former DCPO director Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, who is currently the deputy chief for the Operations of the PNP’s Intelligence Group, to ensure that Felonia is being watched 24 hours. BOT