Esperat's daughter tags two suspects during hearing

The prosecution panel in the murder of Tacurong City journalist Marlene Esperat wants PNP chief Arturo Lomibao as one of their witnesses in the next hearing.

Private prosecutor Nena Santos requested Regional Trial Court judge Eric Menchavez that a subpoena be issued to Lomibao but did not mention what Lomibao's testimony would prove. The PNP chief was the one who created a task force to investigate Esperat's killing.

Twenty-four-year-old Rynche Arcones, Esperat's daughter with her first husband, was presented yesterday, the third day of the marathon trial. She positively identified two of the accused in court.

Rynche identified Jerry Tabayag as the one who shot her mother on the evening of March 24, 2005 inside their kitchen. Rynche said Tabayag went to their store at 7:00 p.m. to buy cigarette. She said that while she was getting the cigarette for the man, he sneaked into their house and shot her mother, who was at that time having dinner with her step-father and brothers.

She said that upon hearing the gunshot, she went inside to check and found her mother already slumped on a chair and Tabayag gone.

Rynche said she first saw Tabayag at noon that day because he bought a cigarette and ice water from their store. Tabayag even went inside their house to get a glass of water because they did not sell ice water.

Rynche asked the court yesterday that the masterminds would be brought to justice now that the killers have been arrested and have admitted to the crime. Rynche said that after her mother died, she has acted as father and mother to her younger brothers.

Asked about their life after the death of her mother, Rynche said it is very difficult because they have to hide. Rynche and her two half-brothers are now under custody of the witness protection program of the Department of Justice.

The court has scheduled another marathon trial of the case on May 22 to 24 at 1:30 in the afternoon. - Fred P. Languido