RTC judge for store mauling case named

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Branch 19 is tasked to decide on the case filed against a former head of security and a former closed-circuit television camera operator of a department store  over the death of a shopper.

The murder case was delegated to his branch after a raffle.

The case on hand involves Mario Alfie Ducayag, 23, from Tuyan, Naga City who was accused of shoplifting a pair of Sandugo sandals on April 12, 2013. When the incident happened, Ducayag was brought to the mall's security room.

An hour after, he was found unconscious and no longer breathing when checked by the responding team of the Emergency Response Unit Foundation. He was brought to the hospital, but declared dead on arrival.

Named accused were Mauricio Doblados, former head of security and Jeffrey Aquino, former CCTV camera operator of the mall.

National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Antonio Pagtapat earlier told the media that shoplifting "is wanting" in Ducayag's case.

He said considering the victim was still inside the establishment, the standard operating procedure of the establishment in arresting a suspect does not in any way apply to the victim.

Under the SOP of the establishment, any shoplifter caught on camera should be continuously monitored by the security staff who has witnessed the stealing. Once the shoplifter steps out of the building, only then can he be held.

Ducayag reportedly went back to Counter 7 to look for his alleged missing receipt.  For verification, he was brought to security room to look into the CCTV camera footage if he indeed paid the item.

However, according to the NBI, Ducayag went out from the room unconscious. NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Rene Cam stated that the cause of death of the victim was traumatic injury to the neck.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has earlier elevated the murder case before the court against Doblados and Aquino.

State Prosecutor Anna Lou Fernandez-Cavada said based on the evidence, she found probable cause to hold Doblados and Aquino for trial. 

She recommended no bail against for the two accused.

Marie Shantylle Ducayag, sister of the victim earlier told The FREEMAN that they are hoping for the soonest arrest of the accused.  (FREEMAN)