City prosecutor expects DOJ action on Pigon, Zaspa case

The city prosecutor’s office had anticipated within this week that the Department of Justice in Manila would finally give its word whether the murder case against PO1 Ranulfo Pigon and politician Zosimo Zaspa would now be resolved.

City chief prosecutor Nicolas Sellon said, in a telephone interview, that a member of his staff is now in Manila to inquire personally on what the prosecutor’s office would do now after Pigon and Zaspa already submitted their counter-affidavits.

Sellon the other week had decided to put on hold any action, even if the complaint is “already ripe for resolution”, when Pigon requested to have the preliminary investigation of his case transferred to Manila.

Until after the DOJ gives further orders, it would be appropriate for the city prosecutor to set aside any action over the case, said Sellon.

Authorities had tagged Pigon as the alleged gunman in the killing of Sta. Fe mayoralty candidate Rogelio Illustrisimo last May 2. Also indicted was Zaspa, political opponent of Illustrisimo, as the alleged brain behind the assassination.

Illustrisimo was shot outside the provincial office of the Comelec shortly before noon last May 2, after the hearing of the disqualification case that Zaspa filed against him. At least three witnesses allegedly identified Pigon as the gunman.

Pigon, a former operative of the Special Weapons and Tactics, denied the accusation and cried foul over his implication to the killing. He said the case was “scripted” and that he was merely made the “fall guy” or the “sacrificial lamb.”

Pigon then asked the DOJ to return the case to the National Bureau of Investigation and the DOJ in Manila for reinvestigation.

In his counter-affidavit, Pigon said it was impossible for him to be the gunman because he was in Antipolo City at the time of the killing. He also denied having met earlier either Illustrisimo or Zaspa.

Zaspa, for his part, also denied the charge, saying he could not be implicated just because he happened to be near the place when Illustrisimo was shot.

He contended that even if a person happens to be at the scene of the crime, his mere presence will not automatically make him a conspirator or direct participant to the crime.  — Joeberth M. Ocao/RAE