Pigon seeks re-inquiry into murder complaint

Former policeman Arnulfo Pigon has sought for reinvestigation into the murder complaint filed against him in relation to the death of Sta. Fe mayoralty candidate Rogelio Illustrisimo Sr.

Pigon filed a formal motion before the Department of Justice after the city prosecutor’s office recommended that he be charged in court as prime suspect in the killing.

In his motion before the DOJ, Pigon asked that the filing of the murder charge in court be held in abeyance until after the reinvestigation. He also reiterated that the trial of the case against him should be transferred to Manila because his witnesses are residing there. 

“In the interest of justice, a transfer of hearing and the re-investigation of the case should be conducted to avoid bias and prejudice against the herein accused and to effect an objective evaluation of the merits of the case in determining whether or not probable cause exist,” Pigon said.

Pigon said if given a chance for the complaint to be reinvestigated, he would present evidence to prove that he did not commit the crime. He alleged that he was not adequately given the chance to present his defenses or contest the charge.

He said the transfer of the case to Manila is necessary because “the threat to the life of herein accused is real, factual and imminent and should be seriously considered.”

But city chief prosecutor Nicolas Sellon told the DOJ he was not aware of threats to Pigon’s life and that their office has not received any complaint on any threat.

In indicting Pigon to the murder charge, prosecutors said the former policeman’s alibi of reportedly being in Cupang, Antipolo on the day of the shooting cannot prevail over the positive identification made by witnesses.

At least three witnesses identified Pigon as the one who shot Illustrisimo.

Citing a ruling of the Supreme Court, Prosecutor Marla Barcenilla said alibi is the weakest of all defenses and cannot stand against strong and positive identification of witnesses. The prosecutor also said that evidence on record had showed that there was treachery in the shooting.

“The swift and calculated manner within which the perpetrator launched his attack on Mr. Illustrisimo rendered the victim unable to defend himself. Clearly, his death was attended by treachery,” Barcenilla said.

The prosecutors, however, cleared from the charge Pigon’s co-respondent, Zosimo Zaspa, Illustrisimo’s staunch political rival. Zaspa was suspected to have masterminded the shooting after he ran away from the crime scene and after he was allegedly seen talking with Pigon in a popular uptown hotel shortly after the shooting.

Illustrisimo was shot outside the provincial Commission on Elections office before noon on May 2 shortly after attending the hearing of the disqualification case that Zaspa filed against him.

Barcenilla said it was only logical for Zaspa to be within the Comelec and Capitol premises because he attended the hearing that Illustrisimo also attended. While Zaspa was seen and had admitted running away from the crime scene, Barcenilla said it was a “likely reaction” because a commotion had occurred.

Pigon, a former operative of the Special Weapons and Tactics team of the Mandaue City Police Office, vehemently denied the allegations, saying that the case is “scripted” and that he is made as a “fall guy/sacrificial lamb.”  —  Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM