Suspects in Carcar killing plead not guilty

CEBU, Philippines - Three men who were tagged in the killing of a businessman in Carcar, Cebu yesterday pleaded not guilty of the crime charged against them in the sala of Judge Douglas Marigomen.

Ronilo Montalla, Lope Gicale, Jr. and Rey Llanos were charged for murder for the death of Eric Uraca, 34, owner of a shop for motor parts and accessories. Uraca was shot in front of his store on J. P. Rizal Street, Barangay Poblacion 1 last July 12.

“Gitripan nila akong bana, ila rang gibinuangan,” was how Clarissa Uruca, wife of the victim, described their action.

Llanos, however, vehemently denied all the allegations made against him by witness Edwin Sarda. Sarda, for his part, said Llanos was lying.

“(It was) only Sarda who pointed me as responsible for Uraca’s death while no other witness stands to prove it. It is utmost important therefore to check and analyze the credibility and integrity of Sarda as a witness, otherwise the office’s zeal to uphold justice may obscure the boundaries set by law,” Llanos explained.

Llanos further said that Sarda did not categorize him as an accused. He said Sarda merely claimed he heard Llanos saying, “Someone would be hit in Carcar and to be sure that they could identify the person to be hit, Montalla and Gicale should accompany me.”

Llanos said that only Montalla and Gicale and not Sarda, could say if he was really involved.

Montalla and Gicale allegedly did not mention any participation by Llanos.

On the other hand, Llanos admitted that they were paid P15,000 by Jay Camotes.

While the police are still trying to prove the participation of Camotes to the killing, he was also charged the other day following his arrest last week for possession of illegal drugs and firearms while he was about to leave the premises of Chong Hua Hospital after a medical checkup.

On July 12, Uraca was sitting in front of his store when Montalla, 31, living in Barangay Colawin, Argao and Gicale, 27, arrived on board a black skeletal motorcycle without plate number.

Montalla allegedly disembarked from the motorcycle driven by Gicale, went inside the store and pretended to be a customer buying a motorcycle tire. Minutes later, Montalla pulled out a gun and shot Uraca at the back of his head, followed by a second shot hitting the right side of his head. Uraca died immediately. (THE FREEMAN)