Accused mastermind in robbery to face trial

CEBU, Philippines - The City Prosecutor’s Office affirmed its ruling to hold for trial a woman accused of masterminding a robbery against her mother in-law.

Prosecutor Rhodna Bacatan has denied the verified motion for reconsideration filed by Manilyn Mier, former Punta Princesa Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman, who sought for the reversal of the resolution dated June 27, 2011.

“After a careful examination of the issues raised in the said motion, the undersigned found no justification for the reversal of the findings contained in the questioned resolution,” order reads.

Bacatan elevated the robbery case against Manilyn to the court and recommended P100,000 for her temporary liberty.

Manilyn was tagged as the mastermind of the robbery and murder attempt on Maria Lina Mier last March 20, 2011 around 11:40 a.m.

Maria Lina, the complainant of the case, filed charges for robbery and frustrated homicide before the Prosecutor’s Office, however, Bacatan only recommend the filing of the robbery case.

“Apparently, the paid deed is for the killing of Maria Lina and the robbery is part of the deal in order to mislead the authorities as to the motive of the supposed killing,” Bacatan said.

Manilyn was pointed to as the mastermind in the robbery incident and the attempt to kill Maria Lina by suspects Sim Abordo and Roldan Ranollo who were arrested by the police after a hot pursuit operation.

Abordo and Ranollo were already charged in court for robbery. They claimed they were hired by Manilyn and co-respondent Vicente Maestrado to kill Maria Lina and her husband Ernesto.

 They also alleged the robbery was just a trick to hide the real motive.

The complainant said they just arrived from attending Mass and were about to leave the house again for lunch with her family when the two men struck.

While she was busy preparing some things, an armed man suddenly appeared and grabbed her handbag containing two mobile phones worth P17,000 and cash amounting to P340,000 and several documents.

Maria Lina said she saw another man pointing a gun at their security guard Jimmy Saylanon.

She said she shouted for help and one of the armed men pistol-whipped her in the back of the head.

Her son, Kurt, happened to drive up in his car at the time and hit the motorcycle of the suspects. The two hurriedly boarded a taxicab leaving the complainant’s bag behind. The incident was immediately reported to the police leading to the arrest of the two.

Manilyn denied the allegations saying if she was the mastermind she would not divulge her identity to Abordo and Ranollo.

However, Bacatan ruled the eyewitness Saylanon was more credible than the statement of Manilyn.

“His testimony together with the other evidence gathered during the police investigation may be considered circumstantial. However, taken all together these are sufficient to cause a reasonable man to believe that Mier may have masterminded the attack against her mother-in-law,” Bacatan said.

The circumstantial evidence was when the two hired men made a canvassing about the said catering services run by the complainant and the envelope handed by Manilyn to Saylanon, directing him to give it to Abordo and his girlfriend.

Bactan said the eyewitness identified the envelope and the accused.

Bacatan dismissed the case against Maestrado for lack of evidence. (FREEMAN)