4 suspects in Masbate vice mayor’s slay freed

MANILA, Philippines — A Manila prosecutor has ordered the release of four suspects in the killing of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III for further investigation.

Jovencio Senados, inquest division chief of the Manila prosecutor’s office, ordered the release of Bradford Solis, Juanito de Luna, Junel Gomez and Rigor de la Cruz.

The charges of murder and frustrated murder filed against the suspects were “referred for further investigation” by the prosecutor.

The order was issued on Oct. 11, a day after the alleged gunmen were arrested when the license plate of the vehicle they reportedly used in the crime was captured on closed-circuit television footage.

Yuson was shot dead while eating breakfast in an eatery along VG Cruz street in Sampaloc, Manila on Oct. 9.

Manila chief prosecutor Joselito Obejas yesterday said the release of the suspects does not mean that the case has been dismissed.

“If the inquest disposition is for release for further investigation, the case has not been dismissed. A preliminary probe will still be conducted thereon,” Obejas said.

Maj. Rommel Anicete, chief of the Manila Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, confirmed that the suspects were released from the MPD custody on Friday. 

“But the case is far from over. The city prosecutor will still subject them to preliminary investigation,” Anicete said.

MPD director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the release of the suspects “is beyond their control.”

“Rest assured that the MPD will exercise the full arm of the law to attain justice for the vice mayor’s family,” Danao said.

Yuson’s wife had accused Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam of supposedly masterminding the murder.

Cam’s son, Marco Martin Cam, was defeated by the victim’s son, Charmax Jan Yuson, for mayor of Batuan in the last elections.

The elder Cam has denied the allegation.