Accused in lawyer's wife ambush pleads not guilty to murder, guns

CEBU, Philippines - The alleged gunman, who killed a lawyer’s wife and two others during an ambush in Talisay City last February, pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and illegal possession of firearm.

Tommy Echavez, 39, pleads innocence in the ambush of Virginia Sesbreno, Joshua Young and Soledad Epanto on February 1 in Barangay Cansojong during his arraignment yesterday before Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras.

Echavez, assisted by a public attorney, also did not admit ownership of the Cal. 45 pistol and the hand grenade seized from him during his arrest in Barangay Lawaan on February 26. The court has scheduled the pre-trial conference on May 7.

Echavez was tagged by witnesses as the alleged gunman responsible in the ambush which killed the wife of lawyer Raul Sesbreno and her two companions.

The victims were on board in an Isuzu pick-up when Echavez and his unidentified cohort opened fire at the victims. Young sustained gunshot wounds in his chest and hand, Epanto succumbed to gunshot wounds in her right breast and hand while Virginia was hit in the right shoulder, chest, and back.

All three were rushed to the Talisay District Hospital, but were declared dead on arrival.

The Sesbrenos believe that the demolition of the informal settlers on their lot in Barangay Lawaan has something to do with the ambush.

Atty. Sesbreño admitted receiving death threats months before and even a day before his wife was ambushed. — (FREEMAN)