Pasig judge junks murder raps vs Boratong

A Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) judge has reversed his earlier ruling and dismissed the murder charges against alleged shabu dealer Amin Iman Boratong for the killing of German Colisao, who tipped off media and police about the operation of a so-called shabu “tiangge” or flea market almost two years ago.

In an order dated Oct. 22, Branch 161 Judge Nicanor Manalo Jr. ruled in favor of a motion for reconsideration filed by the lawyers of Boratong, his wife Memie Sultan, and Police Officer 2 Ramil Along.

He lifted the warrants for their arrest in connection with the killing of Colisao on the strength of statements made by state witness Samir Palao, also known as Magandama Boratong, an elder brother of the accused.

Manalo also ordered the release of Boratong, who is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation, “unless he is being detained for other lawful cases.”

Manalo, in his Oct. 22 order, said that after a “judicious re-examination of the court’s independent assessment,” he found there was no probable cause for filing murder charges and issuing arrest warrants against Boratong, Sultan, Along and Nashir Labay.

Palao claimed Boratong and his wife masterminded the killing of Colisao by Along and Labay. Manalo said “there is no eyewitness” or other evidence to support Palao’s allegation.

Manalo’s order matches an earlier order of former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez dismissing the murder case against Boratong for supposed lack of evidence late last May, which the judge cited in his order.

Palao’s testimony formed the basis of a drug case against Boratong, who allegedly operated a shabu market on a 2,000-square meter compound he owned along F. Soriano street in Barangay Santo Tomas, just a few meters from the Pasig city.

Agents of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force raided the shabu market on Feb. 10, 2006, during which they arrested hundreds of drug users and seized a large amount of shabu and numerous shabu paraphernalia.