MANILA, Philippines — (Updated 5:18 p.m.) State prosecutors found probable cause to charge Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam and her son over the killing of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III in 2019.
The Department of Justice indicted Cam and her son Marcon Martin for murder of Yuson and frustrated murder for the wounding of Alberto Alforte IV, the Office of the Prosecutor General said Friday.
Related Stories
Others who are facing charges are:
- Nelson Cambaya
- June Gomez
- Bradford Solis
- Juanito De Luna
- Rigor Dela Cruz
“When considered in its entirety, the statements and evidence presented by the complainants are sufficient to establish probable cause for the conspiracy among all respondents in the killing of Vice Mayor Charlie and the wounding of Alberto Alforte IV,” part of the resolution read.
The OPG said Assistant State Prosecutor Josie Christina Dugay and Prosecution Attorney Eugine Yusi issued the resolution dated Feb. 22, 2021.
A full copy of the resolution, however, has yet to be made public.
Vice mayor shot at breakfast
The National Bureau of Investigation filed murder and frustrated murder complaints against Cam, her son and five others in February 2020.
Yuson was shot dead while he was having breakfast with Wilfredo Pineda and Alberto Alforte in Sampaloc, Manila on Oct. 10, 2019. His companions were wounded in the attack.
Yuson’s wife, Lalaine, pointed to Cam as the brain behind the killing over politics. The slain vice mayor’s son won in the mayoral race against Cam's son, Martin, in the last elections.
Lalaine claimed that the gunmen were previously seen in Cam’s resort in Masbate.
Cam has denied allegations against her and has since filed a libel complaint against Lalaine, as reported by Pang-Masa. — Kristine Joy Patag