Lawyer hits 'hasty' investigation on Ram Revilla slay

The lawyer of the Revilla siblings on Friday likened the investigation into Ramgen “Ram" Revilla's murder to the Vizconde massacre case probe, wherein police were allegedly in a hurry to present suspects to be charged, and that at the end of the process innocent people were jailed unnecessarily. "Sa pagmamadali ng pulis, kagaya nung nangyari sa Vizconde case noong araw, biglang nag-produce ng sets of suspects (tapos) after litigation, trial pinawalang-sala ng korte," said Dennis Manzanal, lawyer of siblings Ramon Joseph "RJ" Bautista and Ramona Bautista, in a report aired on GMA's News To Go on Friday. RJ and Ramona have been tagged as suspects in the killing of their brother Ram. Manzanal said, "Yun yung gusto nating iwasan na pangyayari sa kaso na ito... 'wag nating madaliin masyado... We would not let innocent people rot in jail while their lawyers try to prove their innocence in court." The Supreme Court acquitted last year Hubert Webb and six others who had been convicted by a lower court for the murders of Estrellita, Carmela, and Jennifer Vizconde on June 30, 1991.
RJ and Ramona, were slapped earlier with murder and frustrated murder charges for the killing of their brother Ram and the failed killing of his girlfriend Janelle Manahan. RJ is already in police custody while Ramona is still considered at-large. Ram Revilla, half brother of Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. and son of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., was attacked in his Parañaque City home last Friday, Oct. 28. His girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, was likewise attacked but survived the incident. Also charged along with the Revilla siblings were Michael Altea and Roy Francis Tolisora, who were earlier arrested by police. Three other suspects, identified as Norwin de la Cruz and two others with the aliases Bryan and Glaiza, are also still at-large. Citing statements of witnesses, police said RJ masterminded the plan to murder Ram while Ramona conspired with him. They likewise said that RJ hired the other suspects to execute the plan. Ram's personal assistant had said that a possible motive of the suspects was an alleged rift between them over money matters. Manzanal, however, said authorities have no solid proof against the siblings. "Hilaw na hilaw ang imbestigasyon nila dito, walang makitang pinakamabigat na ebidensya para idiin si (RJ) at saka si Mara (Ramona)," he said. He explained that the "star witness" named Roel Puzon doesn't even know RJ personally and only identified him through a photo. Puzon said RJ had hired killers to murder his brother for P200,000 and that he had already given a P19,000 down payment for the purchase of guns. He added that there were three attempts at Ram's life and that the plan only succeeded on the third try. "Masyadong fantastic yung story na ibinebenta nila... kapag ganun ang istorya medyo hindi na kapani-paniwala," said Manzanal.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The lawyer said RJ's arrest was illegal because of the absence of an arrest warrant. "Kung ang pagbabatayan lang any batas at rule of court, eh malinaw na malinaw naman na walang hot pursuit operasyon na nangyari," he added. Manzanal said that they have filed before the Paranaque City Prosecutor's Office a motion seeking his RJ's release. On the other hand, he reiterated that Ramona was not in hiding and that she was just in shock and is still resting. "Wala ho siyang iniiwasan hindi ho siya nagtagago at wala namang arrest warrant para pagtaguan niya," he said, adding that Ramona would be ready to give a counter-affidavit if authorities would let her. The Revilla family had earlier asked for a reinvestigation of the case but police claimed the case was closed. - GMA News