Antique, Iloilo basag-kotse suspects have common counsel
A lawyer is working to fix the bail of one of the five suspected members of the notorious basag-kotse gang arrested in a police operation Tuesday night. Incidentally, the same lawyer assisted the five basag-kotse suspects arrested in Antique last year.
In an interview over dySI Super Radyo, Atty. John Mark Espera said he is initiating legal moves for the release of his client Faustino Lumaniog. Espera said he was called upon by the suspect’s family member to assist him in whatever case he is going to face.
Espera, who maintains a law office in the province of Antique, adhered on the client and lawyer relationship thus shielding the person who called and hired his legal services to free Lumaniog.
Though, Espera confirmed that he was only referred to the suspect’s family by a person whom he also declined to identify. He denied he is an associate of Atty. Edel Julio Romero, who is running for councilor in Iloilo City.
Espera is also serving as counsel to alleged members of basag-kotse gang apprehended in the town of Guimbal last year after a long chase from the town of San Jose in the province of Antique.
The suspects who were involved in the basag-kotse case in Antique and were apprehended by the joint team of San Jose municipal police station and Guimbal municipal police station were Edward Legaspino, Giovanne Nuevas, Alvin Resurrection, Troy Giltendez and George Grabador. All posted bail for their release.
In the same radio interview, Espera claimed that three of his five clients are already missing after they posted bail in the court of Antique. He did not name who among the five suspects are allegedly missing for eight days. Espera did not say what action he has done after he discovered that three of his clients are now missing.
The 36-year old lawyer said he accepted the call to assist Lumaniog Wednesday afternoon. Espera said he will immediately file a petition to bail as soon proper complaints are filed before the City Prosecutors Office.
He could not ascertain yet on whether he will also represent as counsel to four other suspects, namely, Jade Cariño, Benjamin Salvacion, Arwin Morilla and Francisco Reyes.
Espera said it is easy to file a petition to bail but the problem is on whether the suspect can afford the bail. The posting of the bail bond is his primary concern.
The legality of the arrest would be raised during the trial of the case which the police is expected to file against his client and with his accomplices before the reglamentary period ends, said Espera.
According to Chief Inspector Orly Gabinete, chief of police of Jaro, there is a link between the five suspects they arrested and the suspects nabbed last year in the municipality of Guimbal. His suspicion was strengthened after the same lawyer represented all the basag-kotse suspects in Antique.
Gabinete assured they will beat the prescribed period in filing the cases against the suspects which ends morning of Jan. 29. Probers from Jaro police station and Mandurriao police station are on the process of taking the sworn statements of the victims.
Gabinete said they are going to file three complaints against the five suspects. Complaints for robbery, malicious mischief and illegal possession of counterfeit money will be filed against the five suspects.
Police recovered fake P1,000 bill and P100 bill aside from four lap tops, power point projector, digital camera, cash, assorted jewelries and wallets during their operation at the Moritz Hotel at Lopez Jaena, Jaro.
