Jojo slay prosecution panel sees a third party muddling the case

The prosecution panel in the murder of Bantay Dagat project director Elpidio "Jojo" de la Victoria believes that a third party which could be the mastermind is out to muddle the case.

Lawyer Fritz Quiñanola cited the alleged harassment of a defense runner and the unsigned letter earlier circulated tagging a northern town mayor and her police official husband as masterminds in the crime.

"Dunay naglubog sa kaso, tingali ang principal gustong lubogon ang kaso to condition the mind of the public nga way labot si Ocampo," Quiñanola said.

Defense lawyer Vicente Fernandez II claimed that one of their runners who helped them in gathering evidence was allegedly picked up and threatened by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last week.

According to Fernandez, their runner was forced to board a maroon CRV with plate number GHL 357 and was brought to the Talisay Police Station where he was threatened by a relative of de la Victoria and a policeman.

"Gipangutana siya sa relative ni De la Victoria og pilay gibayad ni Ocampo ug gihulga nga basin mao ray iyang kamatyan," Fernandez said.

Fernandez said the runner, whose name he refused to reveal, was later released and went to Cansojong barangay hall where he allegedly stayed over night for safety. Asked if he would initiate legal actions against the policeman and the alleged relative of De la Victoria, Fernandez said he would not file any case against them.

But Cansojong barangay captain Aaron Capalla denied such incident. He said over dyLA that no such person stayed overnight at the barangay hall.

Quiñanola said it is not normal and unbelievable for the prosecution to harass the defense witnesses.

Fernandez admitted that the incident was unusual, saying that they could not understand why the prosecution is doing it. He said the prosecution should present its evidence in court instead of resorting to harassment.

Ocampo was tagged as the one who shot to De la Victoria in the afternoon of April 12 in barangay San Roque, Talisay City. De la Victoria died the day after. - Fred P. Languido