Suspects in US Marine’s slay post bail

MANILA, Philippines - Four men accused of murdering a United States Marine in a brawl in Makati City on Nov. 24, 2012 posted bail yesterday afternoon.

Jay de Castro, lawyer for Galicano Datu III, 22, said his client and the three other accused, Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24; Crispin dela Paz, 28; and Osric Cabrera, 27, each paid P300,000 bail and were released from the Makati City Jail.

De Castro said Judge Winlove Dumayas of Regional Trial Court Branch 59, in his Feb. 21 resolution, ruled that prosecutors failed to show evidence that there was conspiracy to commit murder and that the accused had killed George Anikow with abuse of superior strength.

De Castro said the court considered the testimony of Rockwell Center security guard Jose Rommel Saavedra, who said it was the 41-year-old Anikow who instigated the brawl that led to his death.

Dumayas set the next hearing on March 7.

Assistant City Prosecutor Hannah Arrioa said she will file a motion for reconsideration and have the suspects placed under a hold departure order to prevent them from leaving the country.