4 suspects in cameraman’s slay plead ‘not guilty’

Four suspects in the robbery-killing of RPN-9 TV cameraman Ralph Ruñez over a month ago pleaded "not guilty" when arraigned before the Caloocan regional trial court.

Wearing regulation saffron detainee’s uniforms, suspects Inspector Bryan Limbo, Police Community Precinct 9 commander and PO2 Aristotle de Guzman, a checkpoint operative, both of the Caloocan Police Substation 5 in Tala; Ernani Magnayon alias "Nani," the alleged hit man and Charles Galarce, 22, alias "Balat," made the plea before the sala of Caloocan RTC Branch 128 Judge Eleanor Kwong.

At the arraignment hearing yesterday, the accused, who had been charged with robbery with homicide and ordered committed to the Caloocan City Jail without bail, asked the court they be allowed to post bail on the grounds that the evidence of their guilt was not strong to warrant a conviction.

Limbo earlier moved for a reinvestigation claiming the charges made after the inquest by the City Prosecutors Office was made without the benefit of a preliminary investigation. The petition, however, has since been withdrawn in favor of the motion to bail.

Court sources told The STAR the prosecution has to prove before the court that their evidence is strong, otherwise, the court cannot deny the petition for bail, setting the respondents out of jail on temporary liberty.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Caloocan City deputy police chief and Station Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, speaking for the prosecution, said he was optimistic the case would lead to a conviction.

But he added this will depend much on the disposition and the cooperation of the witnesses, who have consistently and positively identified the accused as the perpetrators.

"Basta’t huwag lang bibitaw ang ating mga testigo, tiyak na ang conviction," Cuaton said.

Kwong’s staff said the next hearing dates have been tentatively slated for Sept. 4 and Sept. 6.

It will be recalled that Ruñez, 35, owner of a water refilling station and working as a part-time cameraman for television network RPN-9, and resident of Barangay 186, Tala, Caloocan City was shot dead by two gunmen on board a motorcycle as he entered the gate of his house last July 28.

Ruñez had just withdrawn some P25,000 from a bank in Quezon City when waylaid by the suspects.

The suspects demanded for his backpack which contained the cash, but the victim refused to let go prompting the suspect to shoot him.

He was taken to the nearby Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment, but was declared dead on arrival from three gunshot wounds in the body.

Police recovered four empty shells and a deformed slug from a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.