KANANGA, LEYTE, Philippines – Twenty-five of 28 soldiers of the 19th Infantry Battalion, based in this town, entered a "not guilty" plea to charges of obstruction of justice during their arraignment yesterday at the Municipal Trial Court here, presided by Judge Marcelino Malate Jr.
The obstruction of justice charge was filed against the soldiers by police investigators who accused the former of impeding the arrest of the members of the 1st Squadron of the 1st Platoon of the 19th IB led by 1st Lieutenant Ronald Odchimar.
The case was in connection to the killing of renowned botanist Dr. Leonard Co, Energy Development Corporation's forester Sofronio Cortez and forest guide Julio Borromeo, and the wounding of Ronino Gibe and Policarpio Balute last November 15, 2010, while they were exploring the mountains at the EDC area to identify local tree species.
The 19th IB troopers, operating in the area at the time, allegedly fired at the group of Co without warning, resulting in the deaths of three, including Co himself. The two survivors said they were able to escape by running to the highway, about a kilometer away from the site of the carnage.
The soldiers, accused of obstruction of justice, were arraigned in court yesterday, but their three co-accused failed to appear.
Lawyer Vesper Mayor, counsel of the soldiers, said 2nd Lt. Cameron Perez, was in Baguio City for a 15-day mission, while Private First Classes Enrique Balbarona and Ramil Maguilano were dismissed from service in 2012, but the lawyer said he did not know why the two were dismissed from the military.
Those arraigned were: Corporals Henrich Montecalvo and Jesus Verona; and PFCs Noelito Eblamo, Ramelito Caayon, Julito Bucog, Elmer Tapac, Arvie Divinagracia, Jose Madrilejos, Leonard Regis, Richard Salandino, Apollo Elnar, Esperidion Java Jr., Cornilio Coso, Ricardo Liguidliguid, Edjun Omawas, Modesto Camero Jr., Elmer Costelo, Carlo Romero, Godofredo Capatoy III, Andro Villanueva, Arnel Superales, Ramil Maguilano, Edyson Ferenal, Bob Alipoon and Enrico Malog.
Meanwhile, the arraignment of the soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 1st Platoon, led by Odchimar, sued for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide was momentarily shelved, following the motion of the lawyer of the Co family.
Lawyer Irish Tubania, of the Free Legal Assistance Group, asked the Court to defer it because they have a pending appeal at the Department of Justice, to upgrade the charge to murder. The DOJ has yet to rule on this appeal, two years after it was filed.(FREEMAN)