Solima’s ‘killers’ plead not guilty

CEBU, Philippines — The three accused in the killing of veteran lawyer Salvador Solima and the wounding of his wife, Verose, yesterday pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of murder and frustrated murder.

Ricarte Del Corro alias Blupaks, resident of Tres de Abril, Labangon, Cebu City and brothers Alberto and Alvin Baluyos, residents of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, entered their not guilty plea during the arraignment before the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Cebu City.

RTC Judge Gilbert Moises has set the trial to start on August 20 with the presentation of the first prosecution witness. Prosecutor Naruzen Delfin-Lorete has asked the court to subpoena Dr. Rene Cam, medico legal officer of the National Bureau of Investigation. Cam will be the first witness for the prosecution.

The three accused were tagged by witnesses as the alleged killer of Solima. One of the witnesses, Raquel Faogali, alleged that while she was at the house of the victims at 4th St., Singson Compound, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on July 2, 2018, two unidentified men appeared seeking for legal assistance.

One of the two men who was later identified as Del Corro allegedly told Faogali that they want to seek Solima’s counsel for their friend who was detained at the Cebu City Jail for drug charges.

The accused were ushered into the office of Solima where they allegedly discussed the case. The witness said she heard Solima asked for P150,000 as acceptance fee. The accused were able to haggle for P120,000. But as Solima walked toward his daughter sitting on a couch, one of the accused shot him. The accused also went after his wife, Verose, who was then hiding behind the refrigerator.

The couple was rushed to the hospital but Solima did not make it. His wife, however, survived. — FPL (FREEMAN)