CEBU, Philippines - The suspect in the fatal shooting of two lawyers in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City last month will now have his day in court after he was indicted for murder.
The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has found probable cause or sufficient ground to hold Jonathan Sanchez, a security guard, for trial for allegedly shooting to death lawyer Goering Goerge Paderanga Sr.
The prosecution office did not recommend bail bond for the temporary liberty of Sanchez since the offense charge is non-bailable.
Another murder complaint against Sanchez for allegedly killing Goering's son, Gerik, in the same incident is still pending before the prosecution office also for determination of probable cause.
Goering did not make it to the hospital following the shooting incident while Gerik died three days later.
In her written accusation or "Information," Prosecutor Ma. Johanna Desamparado-Calustre alleged that circumstances that constitute murder, such as treachery and evident premeditation or aforethought, are present in the case.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Goering's other son, Goering George Paderanga Jr.
The younger Goering in his complaint affidavit maintained that the killing was planned by the guard and that there was no confrontation that transpired between the suspect and the victims prior to the incident.
"Sanchez applied treachery as the shooting was very sudden and unprovoked. There was no confrontation between my father and Sanchez," he stated.
Goering was inside a rest room in their law firm when the incident took place outside the office at 8 p.m. on December 22, 2016.
"The manner and place of shooting show evident premeditation. This Jonathan Sanchez waited for my family to return to the law office and he then surreptitiously shot my brother, Gerik, at close range, and waited for my father to come out of the law office to shoot him. It is very clear that this Jonathan Sanchez carefully planned and carried out the shooting and killing of lawyer Goering George Paderanga Sr. and Attorney Gerik Caesare C. Paderanga," he added.
Sanchez is now under police custody after he was arrested in his parents' house in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City last December 23.
Sanchez reportedly admitted shooting the Pade-srangas because he was angry at them for blocking a cement mixer of a construction site he was guarding.
Prior to the incident, the victims were returning to their law firm from a dinner with their family. Gerik parked the car in a narrow street near F. Ramos Street and his father went inside their office.
Witnesses said the guard got angry after the vehicle of the victims blocked the way of a cement mixer truck and a heated argument ensued between him and Gerik.
Sanchez allegedly shot Gerik in the nape with a 9mm pistol. After hearing a gunshot, Goering allegedly went outside to check and was also shot in the chest.
Goering Sr. was the husband of Judge Sylva Paderanga of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16. (FREEMAN)