5 suspects charged

CEBU, Philippines - Murder and attempted murder charges were filed yesterday before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office against five persons who were tagged as responsible for the recent strafing of a house in barangay Mactan that killed a 42-year-old mother.

Charged were Cyril Zamora, 28, and Rogie Dilao, 22, both residents of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City, who were arrested by the police a day after the June 29 shooting.

Brothers Demetrio, Jay and Deo Malingin, who are all at large, were also charged.

The five were tagged in the strafing of the house of Jerry and Prima Aying in Sitio Angasil, Barangay Mactan.

Police arrested Zamora and Dilao after they were seen near Jerry’s house where Prima’s wake was held. 

Seized from Zamora were a .45 caliber pistol with live ammunition and six small plastic packs of shabu and another four small plastic packs of shabu were found in Dilao’s position.

They will face separate charges of illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drugs.

Jerry, in his affidavit, said he personally knows the three brothers Demetrio, Jay and Deo Malingin, as they are his relatives.

But he only knew the names of the two other accused after their arrest.

Jerry said he positively identified Zamora as the companion of Demetrio and Jay who stood at the door of his house, all armed with handguns.

Jerry also stated in his affidavit that he and Prima and their children were sleeping in their house when someone knocked at their door and called his name.

Prima stood up and when she opened the door, the accused fired their guns at them that hit Prima in the head.

Accused Dilao was identified by the victim’s 14-year-old son as the one who was sitting on a motorcycle parked near their house during the incident.

The son executed a separate affidavit to support the charges filed against the accused.

Jerry also alleged that according to his close friend, Ernesto Igot, Deo acted as look-out and driver of one of the getaway motorcycles used in committing the crime.

Deo allegedly told Igot about his participation in the strafing.

Jerry in his affidavit said that the motive of the attack was revenge.

Years ago, Agustine Malingin, brother of the three accused, was mauled to death by Jerry’s relatives.

After the incident, Demetrio threatened to kill the Ayings.

The Malingin brothers were also identified as the ones who killed Jerry’s brother, Roy, in November 2011.

Demetrio allegedly threatened to kill Jerry for filing a murder case over Roy’s death.  (FREEMAN)