Suspect in attack on reporter charged today

MANILA, Philippines - Police will file frustrated murder charges before the city prosecutor’s office today against the prime suspect in the attack on reporter Fernan Angeles in Pasig City last Mar. 11, an official said yesterday.

Faisal Ragung Sancopan denied allegations that he shot Angeles while his companions beat up the reporter, who is recuperating from seven gunshot wounds and other injuries at the Pasig City General Hospital.

Senior Superintendent Mario Soriano, officer-in-charge of the Eastern Police District (EPD), said Angeles identified Sancopan as the gunman when shown a photo of the suspect at the hospital.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jesse Cardona said Sancopan gave himself up peacefully through the intercession of city councilor Rodrigo Asilo at about 5 p.m. Saturday along West Bank Road in Taytay, Rizal.

“Our policemen was with Councilor Asilo when Sancopan showed up and surrendered. He was immediately whisked to the police headquarters for tactical interrogation,” said Cardona.

Asilo is a former barangay chairman of Barangay Pinagbuhatan, where Angeles was attacked. Soriano said they are hunting down two other suspects, a certain Bacari and Jay-R, who were “sighted in the EPD area of responsibility.”

According to witnesses, Angeles was in a heated argument with someone when Bacari and Jay-R ganged up on him. Sancopan arrived and shot at Angeles, who “refused to be pacified.”

Soriano said they have not yet ascertained what triggered the heated altercation between Angeles and his “enemy” and what prompted the suspects to intervene.

Angeles’ wife, Gemma said, her husband was out to buy load for his cell phone when he was attacked.

Cardona said their initial investigation showed that Sancopan has no police record. “So far, we have nothing derogatory against Sancopan in our police files. But we will continue checking other records with the hope of finding one,” he said.

They said they also have no information on reports that Sancopan is a member of the syndicate led by convicted drug den operator Amin Imam Boratong, whose shabu “tiangge” or flea market in Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City was raided in 2006.