Bong takes custody of half-sister

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. took custody of his half-sister, Ma.Ramona Bautista, from the Las Piñas police two hours after the Oct. 29 murder of actor Ram Revilla (Ramgen Jose Bautista in real life), a police report said yesterday.

Police Chief Inspector Eduardo Andrade Bajado of the Las Piñas City police investigation and detective management division said the senator picked up Ramona from the police station for a medical check-up at the Parañaque Hospital.

Police sources said the senator arrived at the Las Piñas police station with a television crew.

The senator earlier called for a reinvestigation of the case, saying it must be ensured that probers talk to the right witnesses and present the right evidence.

He said it is a serious accusation that a brother and sister are behind the murder of their own brother.

Parañaque police stands by its findings

The Parañaque City police, however, said it is standing firm on its findings that Ramgen’s two younger siblings may be involved in the actor’s killing.

“We were very careful and thorough during the investigation. We have been very objective,” said city police chief Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran.

Beltran added that investigators did not expect that witnesses will come out to implicate Ramona and Ramon Joseph.

The murder charge against Ramona, 20, and Ramon Joseph, 18, were filed before the city prosecutor’s office on Tuesday.

Also charged were gunmen Michael Altea, Roy Francisco Tolisora, Glaiza Vista, Norwin de la Cruz, and a certain Bryan. The five are accused of helping the two younger siblings plan and execute the crime.

The seven suspects were also charged with frustrated murder for hurting Ramgen’s girlfriend Janelle Manahan.

Ramon Joseph, Altea and Tolisora are now under police custody, while the four remain at large.

Beltran said they can only arrest the four once the court issues an arrest warrant.

Ramona claimed her brother Ramgen was killed by a gunman wearing a Halloween mask and that she was kidnapped by his attacker and left at a mall along the Zapote-Alabang road in Las Piñas.

However, police investigators found out that the kidnapping was a hoax and was part of a cover up.

The decision on whether to elevate to the court the murder case filed by policemen against the suspects “may be out next week,” city prosecutor Amerhassan Paudac said.

“This is an inquest case, so it will not take long. It may be out next week,” Paudac said.

Ramgen buried

Ramgen was buried yesterday at the Revilla Mausoleum at the Angelus Eternal Garden in Toclong, Imus after a Mass held at around 3 p.m.

Breaking her silence, Ramgen’s mother, Genelyn Magsaysay, expressed her disappointment with the police investigation, which linked two of her children, Ramon Joseph Bautista and Ramona Bautista, to the murder.

Ramon Joseph, who was arrested on Monday, was tagged as the mastermind of the crime.

Actor Philip Salvador, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla and Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla and other Cavite officials attended Ramgen's funeral. – Arnell Ozaeta, Perseus Echeminada, Aie Balagtas-See