Ex-judge denies hand in lawyer's killing

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A retired regional trial court (RTC) judge here has belied the claim of a recaptured inmate of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) that he allegedly masterminded the killing of a local human rights lawyer two years ago.

Retired RTC Judge Jose Rosales, whom police charged for the killing of human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat, on June 22, 2010, said he had never met NBP inmate Rommel Laciste, who has owned up to the killing. 

Laciste escaped from the NBP under mysterious circumstances last Aug. 15, hours after road rage killer Rolito Go reappeared after he was supposedly kidnapped.

Laciste was recaptured 11 days later in a warehouse in Naguilian, Isabela.

Rosales was formally charged before the provincial prosecutor’s here yesterday for the killing of 64-year-old Salunat, also a former Northern Luzon governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.  

Rosales said he had never ordered Laciste and his supposed cohort Aries Valentin to kill Salunat. Valentin is reportedly the star witness in the case.

Rosales called on the police and the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an “in-depth investigation on who was behind this demolition job, this frame-up.”

“This charge against me would have been a laughable matter not deserving of any response, but its subject is so serious, and the police seem to be very serious and must have believed the ghost story of… Laciste and… Valentin,” he said.

“Why would I mastermind the brutal murder of my friend, Atty. Salunat, for whom I have high respect as a lawyer, despite his flaws as a person? What possible motive do I have to desire (his) violent death…?” Rosales said.