Charges filed vs Garayblas’ son for bystander’s death

The Quezon City Police District yesterday filed homicide charges against a son of lawyer Rafaelito Garayblas for the death of a bystander during an attempted ambush against the Manila City official.

In a complaint affidavit filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, chief of the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, tagged Pio Garayblas, 35, in the death of Teresita Manuel on the evening of June 12.

On that night, the vehicle of the older Garayblas, who is a secretary of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, was attacked by the suspects at the corner of Araneta and Quezon Avenues.

A gunbattle ensued, resulting in the death of alleged assassin Christopher Abasula. However, Manuel was hit by a stray bullet and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

According to Mabanag, Pio and bodyguard Jay Paningtaban said in their sworn statements that they were the ones who engaged Abasula in a shootout.

“Teresita Manuel who was at that time waiting for a ride nearby was hit at the back...” Mabanag said in the affidavit.

In an earlier interview, Mabanag said an autopsy report from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated that the firearm that killed Manuel was a  caliber .38 revolver.

According to Mabanag, Paningbatan and Pio did not state in their sworn statements what types of firearms they used in the shootout. But a check with the Firearms and Explosives Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  revealed that only Paningbatan was licensed to carry a gun. He had been issued a .9mm handgun.

Mabanag said this means the gun that Pio used was unlicensed.