Durano promulgation set for November 25

The frustrated murder case filed against former policeman Engilberto Durano and three others for allegedly trying to kill the main prosecution witness who testified against him in his murder case is already set for promulgation on November 25.

It is now the turn of Regional Trial Court judge Eric Menchavez to evaluate all the evidences presented by both sides and decide whether to convict or acquit the former policeman and his fellow accused for trying to kill Lloyd Carampatan on March 3, 2001.

Durano, accused of shooting dead tricycle driver Rogelio Bacalso in Busay in December 22, 2000, was brought to court yesterday under heavy guard from the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center.

He was the last defense witness presented by his lawyers. Aside from Durano, the other respondents of the case are Roy Pineda, Ricky Singh and Leonardo Gopar, but prosecution lawyers Fritz Quiñanola and Alfredo Sipalay said his testimonies were mere alibis.

Carampatan and his family were forced to abandon their house in Busay and stay in the police camp for fear of reprisal from Durano who threatened to go after them when Carampatan testified that he personally saw him shoot Bacalso.

But before Durano was arrested on August 8, 2002 or exactly three years yesterday, Quiñanola and Sipalay said the former policeman had Pineda befriend Carampatan in the police camp.

On March 3, 2001, Pineda convinced Carampatan to go with him to a mall, on their way there Pineda shot Carampatan after telling him "sorry kaayo Lloyd kay igo ra kong gisugo ni Durano." (I'm very sorry Lloyd, I am just following Durano's orders)

After shooting him, Pineda ran towards a waiting car. Carampatan said before he lost his conciousness, he saw Durano, Gopar and Singh inside the car.

Singh is an Indian who became Durano's friend after he sought the help of the policeman in recovering his stolen motorcycle, Sipalay said.

In 2004 Durano was convicted by the court and sentenced a life term in jail for killing Bacalso.

Carampatan, his parents, his four siblings and his three-year-old son have been living inside the police camp since he testified against Durano.