Murder charges filed against Osorio "killers"

CEBU, Philippines – Prosecutors yesterday filed murder charges against the two suspects in the killing of Assistant City Prosecutor Patrick Osorio before the Regional Trial Court.

Suspects Lyndon Horandoy and Allan Senogat were indicted to the crime after an eyewitness positively identified them as the gunman and the driver of the getaway motorcycle, respectively.

Osorio was driving his Toyota Revo and was caught in traffic near the corner of N. Bacalso and Maria Gochan Street on his way home to Minglanilla when he was attacked by two motorcycle riding men last January 6.

One of the witnesses said he was walking along Maria Gochan Street in barangay Mambaling when a red motorcycle with two persons on board appeared from behind him and stopped at the right side of the vehicle, which was not moving apparently because of the traffic.

The man riding pillion then alighted and shot the driver of the Revo, and even peeped through the window while the motorcycle driver acted as a lookout.

The witness said he was able to take a good look at the gunman and the driver of the motorcycle, as he was only about 10 meters away from the crime scene.

The witness said it was only later then that he learned through the news that the victim was Osorio.

On January 30, while he was in Talisay City Police Station, the witness said he was surprised to see that one of the arrested suspects was the driver of the motorcycle. 

In a supplemental affidavit submitted April 14, the said witness also said that while he was at the Homicide Section of the city police in the second week of March, SPO4 Jesus Moga showed him a picture of a person identified as Lyndon Horandoy.

The witness said he told Moga that Horandoy looked very much like the Osorio’s gunman but it was better if he could see him personally. After doing so, the witness positively identified Horandoy as the triggerman.

On April 16, a complaint of murder was filed against Horandoy and Senogat before the City Prosecutors Office.

State Prosecutor Graeme June Elmido subsequently found basis to support treachery, evident premeditation and conspiracy against the respondents, as alleged in the April 16 complaint lodged by the Task Force Osorio, a team formed by former Police Regional Office 7 director Ronald Roderos.

Neither Horandoy nor Senogat submitted a counter-affidavit to deny the charge.

Senogat already posted bail for the illegal possession charges the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed against him following a raid in his house last June 18.

Meanwhile, City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador yesterday reiterated his claim that they have established “probable cause” to pin down Horandoy and Senogat.

Comendador said the witness remained consistent and firm even after several rounds of questioning.

“We are hopeful that the court would be issuing that warrant of arrest against the suspects as soon as possible so that justice would be served on the part of the victim,” Comendador said.

The CCPO Director said the witness has no axe to grind against the suspects since he did not know them prior to the shooting. — Jasmin R. Uy and Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)