Court grants hold-order on Tan brothers
There is no escape for murder suspects Archie and Jan Michael Tan, principal suspects in the grisly killings of their father, prominent businessman Francisco "Bobby" Tan, stepmother Cindy Zayco and stepsister 6 year-old Katherine.
That is, if the duo has not yet left the country following yesterday's order from the Court allowing the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) to issue a hold-order on any attempts to leave the country.
Issued by Branch 32 of the 6th Regional Trial Court (RTC) here, The News Today (TNT) got the confirmation from prosecution lawyer Cornelio Panes.
As such, immigration agents may legally bar the Tan brothers on any travels abroad and report back to the Court of the duo's whereabouts if found.
The "hold-order" as sought came amidst fears of escape. It was reported then that Archie was seen "with a large suitcase" last January 4, 2007 boarding a Philippine Airlines flight that left Iloilo City 4:50 p.m. Jan Michael, on the other hand, reportedly was "never seen" here since the City Prosecutor announced the brothers' indictment in October 2006.
Archie is a holder of a valid Philippine passport which expires in 2010 with Serial No. P0844612 and is said to have a valid U.S. visa, too. According to the record in the Iloilo consular office, Jan Michael's passport expired in 2002.
Two weeks ago, Judge Globert Justalero of RTC Branch 32 issued an arrest warrant against brothers Archie and Jan Michael after finding probable cause that they be charged of two counts of murder and parricide.
The court thus ordered law enforcers to arrest the brothers at their residence along M.H del Pilar St., in Molo District or anywhere they can be located in the country. No bail has been recommended.