Suspect in drive-by shooting indicted

CEBU - More than one year since the drive-by shooting that killed a businessman at the downtown area, the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office yesterday indicted one of the alleged gunmen for the crime of murder.

The prosecutor’s office filed the case before the Regional Trial Court against Jesus Singson and recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.

The fiscal’s office found probable cause to elevate the murder case to court against Singson after he was identified by eyewitnesses as the companion of Aristotle Aves, the alleged hitman of Alpha Kappa Rho, in the killing of Lawrence Morados in the evening of October 4, 2007.

Aves was charged ahead and the case is now pending before the RTC Branch 9.

In a two-page resolution approved by city prosecutor Nicolas Sellon, assistant city prosecutor Liceria Rabillas found enough basis to hold Singson for trial because the accused failed to submit his counter-affidavit to refute the identification of him by witnesses.

An eyewitness alleged that she saw Singson driving a motorcycle with Aves who fired at Morados who was also on a motorcycle. After the shooting, Singson and Aves allegedly sped off towards D. Jakosalem Street.

Aside from Morados two others were killed that night, including a member of the influential Aznar scion, William John Aznar Jr. and Lord Stephen Vasquez.

Aside from them, 17-year-old Reendon Pelliren was seriously wounded during the incident.

Singson and Aves fled towards barangay Sambag I where they shot Aznar, Vasquez and Pelliren. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)