DOJ okays murder raps vs suspect in fiscal’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday approved the indictment of the arrested assassin of Batangas assistant provincial prosecutor Alexander Sandoval last June 13.

In a resolution, investigating prosecutors Jayvee Lawrence Bandong and Omar Cris Casimiro said they found probable cause to file a murder case against Jayson Espejo before the Batangas regional trial court after inquest proceedings.

Espejo was arrested on the night of Sandoval’s ambush-slay and executed an extra-judicial affidavit where he identified other people allegedly involved in the killing.

Police then filed murder charges against former Sta. Teresita, Batangas mayor Ana Marie Mendoza, her husband, barangay chief Hermogenes Mendoza, and a certain Richard Briones and Toks.

But the DOJ panel recommended further investigation into the murder charges against the other respondents. Instead, they only approved the filing of charges for illegal possession of firearms against Mendoza.

Police raided the Mendozas’ house last week after Espejo implicated the couple in the killing.

The Mendozas were apparently facing charges of child abuse for allegedly registering several minors from Taal, Batangas as voters in Sta. Teresita. Mendoza lost in the mayoral race in the recent polls.

Only Espejo and the former mayor have been arrested.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the former mayor would remain under detention for illegal possession of firearms “by virtue of a search warrant and therefore not proper for inquest for murder.”

The DOJ did not immediately bought Espejo’s testimony after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found it to be vague.

In a nine-page report, lawyer Constantino Joson, NBI-Calabarzon director, said the extra-judicial confession of Espejo lacked complete details on the Mendozas’ alleged participation in the crime.

Espejo told authorities that the former mayor’s husband, whom the suspect referred to as “Kapitan,” his driver, and Toks planned Sandoval’s ambush last June 11.

Espejo said Toks offered to pay him and his cohorts P50,000 for the hit job and that he heard “Kapitan” saying that the killing should have no kinks.

Police though linked Sandoval’s killing to the supposed rift between Mendoza and Mayor Ma. Aurea Segunial. Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the former mayor would remain under detention for illegal possession of firearms “by virtue of a search warrant and therefore not proper for inquest for murder.”

The DOJ did not immediately bought Espejo’s testimony after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found it to be vague.

In a nine-page report, lawyer Constantino Joson, NBI-Calabarzon director, said the extra-judicial confession of Espejo lacked complete details on the Mendozas’ alleged participation in the crime.

Espejo told authorities that the former mayor’s husband, whom the suspect referred to as “Kapitan,” his driver, and Toks planned Sandoval’s ambush last June 11.

Espejo said Toks offered to pay him and his cohorts P50,000 for the hit job and that he heard “Kapitan” saying that the killing should have no kinks.

Police though linked Sandoval’s killing to the supposed rift between Mendoza and Mayor Ma. Aurea Segunial.