Criminal raps, no bail for Cavite killer’s accomplice

MANILA, Philippines - The Cavite prosecutor’s office has approved the filing of criminal charges against John Paul Lopez for allegedly helping slain mass killer Ronald Bae carry out the shooting rampage in Kawit, Cavite last week.

In a five-page resolution, Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said he found probable cause to file charges against Lopez before the Imus court.

Chief Inspector Reynaldo Magdaluyo, field commander of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cavite, said Lopez will be indicted for seven counts of murder, 11 counts of frustrated murder, three counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the anti-drug law. No bail was recommended.

Magdaluyo said the firearm used in the shooting was not licensed and Lopez tested positive for illegal drug use.

“Lopez had all the opportunity to escape while Bae was mercilessly shooting several people but he did not,” the resolution stated.

Magdaluyo said four of the victims were discharged from the hospital while four others are still confined at the Divine Grace and St. Martin hospitals.

‘Quiet and simple man’

Village mates described Bae, who was buried in the provincial cemetery in Kawit yesterday morning, as a “quiet man.”

A handful of Bae’s neighbors and relatives attended his funeral.

Barangay Ascomo chairman Angelo Layug said Bae was not friendly with his neighbors. Bae’s wife, Elena, was also a homebody and was usually seen with her husband in their car when they went out.

The couple has five children, four of whom are studying at a school in their barangay.

Elmira Roman, Barangay Ascomo secretary, said she had only seen the couple during the registration of voters in 2011.

Roman said that the Baes were residents of Barangay Carmen in Floridablaca, Pampanga before they transferred to Kawit and built a rest house in Barangay Ascomo.

Village watchmen said they did not know much about Bae, except that he was a cockfighting aficionado and a breeder of fighting cocks.

 â€“ With Christina Go Timbang, Ric Sapnu