MANILA, Philippines — A Caloocan City court yesterday dismissed the murder charges filed against a drug suspect who allegedly served as an asset for the killers of Kian delos Santos after the prosecution failed to locate an eyewitness.
The 14-year-old girl who supposedly witnessed the killing could not be found to testify on the murder case against Renato “Nonong” Loveraz, who was accused of pinpointing Delos Santos to the police officers who killed the teenager in a supposed anti-narcotics operation two years ago.
Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr. of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 125 ordered the provisional dismissal of the case, which was not disputed by both parties.
With the provisional dismissal, the prosecution is given two years to locate the witness and file a motion to revive the charges, lest the complaint be finally dismissed.
“If no action is taken within a period of two years, the provisional dismissal will become final,” the ruling read.
The cases for murder and planting of firearms and drugs against Loveraz were provisionally dismissed after the witness failed to appear in two hearings.
The prosecution wrote to the office of Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who supposedly had custody of the witness.
But the notice sent to the bishop’s office was returned to the sender.
State prosecutor Loverhette Villordon told The STAR they were willing to adopt the evidence presented against the police officers, but the witness did not positively identified Loveraz, who was at large when the witness testified in court.
Loveraz was located by the court after the prosecution learned that he had been detained for a separate drug case before the Caloocan RTC Branch 123.
S/Sgt. Arnel Oares and Patrolmen Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz are serving time at the New Bilibid Prison after they were proven guilty of killing Delos Santos.
Loveraz allegedly served as an asset for the policemen.