MANILA, Philippines — The provincial prosecutor’s office has recommended the filing of charges against a film director and his three companions who were accused of burning a modern jeep in Catanauan, Quezon on Feb. 1.
There was probable cause to pursue the charges against film director Jade Castro, Ernesto Orcine, Noel Mariano and Dominic Ramos, according to a 17-page resolution released on Friday and signed by assistant prosecutor Liro Muñoz and approved by provincial prosecutor Rodrigo Domingo.
The resolution noted that the four neither filed their counter-affidavits nor submitted evidence to deny the allegations against them.
It said the accused were positively identified by witnesses.
The resolution said Castro’s strong opposition to the modernization of jeepneys may be the possible motive for burning the modern jeep as shown on his social media posts.
Initial investigation showed the suspects fled in a red Mitsubishi Mirage after they burned the modern jeep in Barangay Dahican.
Various groups have condemned the warrantless arrest of the four.