2 Pinoys in US Marine’s slay granted probation

MANILA, Philippines - Four Filipinos accused of killing US Marine George Anikow in 2012 will not go to prison.

A source at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 said Galicano Datu and Crispin dela Paz were “convicted on probation.”

That means they will not be imprisoned and they will only have to report to their probation officers.

Datu and Dela Paz, along with two other accused killers, Osric Cabrera and Juan Alfonso Abastillas, are out on P300,000 bail.

The source said Datu and Dela Paz were placed on probation following their conviction.

“They were not able to serve time in jail,” the source said. “They were only in jail for two months before they were allowed by the court to post bail.”

The source said the decision was promulgated last July.

“The family of the victim are disappointed with the court’s decision,” the source said.

In a resolution dated Feb. 21, 2013, Makati RTC Branch 59 said prosecutors failed to show evidence that a conspiracy existed among the four to commit murder and that they had killed Anikow with abuse of superior strength.

The four were originally charged with murder, but it was later downgraded to homicide.

The Makati police said security guards at the gate of Bel-Air Village in Makati were checking Anikow, a resident, when the four arrived aboard a gray Volvo sport utility vehicle around 3:55 a.m. on Nov. 24, 2012.

The four intended to pass through Bel-Air as a short cut to Palm Village, where Cabrera lives, police added.

Police said Abastillas, the SUV’s driver, rolled down his window and talked to the security guard when Anikow reportedly told them: “You need to present your ID, the guard is checking you.”

Abastillas initially ignored Anikow, but before the SUV could move away, Anikow allegedly strongly tapped the driver’s side and rear passenger side of the vehicle, police added.

Police said that caused the four to alight and confront Anikow. Security guards tried to mediate, but the argument turned into a brawl, police added.

Police said Anikow ran away from the four, who chased him.

When the four caught up with Anikow, they beat him up until he fell to the ground, police added.

Anikow was stabbed in the neck during the brawl.

Police recovered a tactical knife inside the SUV.