Cebu Daily News / News

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Drop raps, suspect in agent's slay asks By Hayde Quiñanola Cebu Daily News Posted date: October 17, 2008 Michael Baclohan, who is accused of killing drug enforcement agent Priscillano Gingoyon, yesterday asked the court to dismiss murder charges against him. Defense lawyers said prosecution witnesses had no personal knowledge of the May 23 murder. A motion of demurrer to evidence was filed with the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court. Gingoyon, an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. Gingoyon’s wife, Evelyn, and daughter Katrina testified against the accused but the defense said they had no personal knowledge of the May 23 murder and that their testimonies only had bearing on a civil claim for damages. The motion cited the widow’s testimony about funeral expenses, Gingoyon’s salary and the year of his expected retirement. During the trial, Evelyn said she learned of her husband’s murder from his companion, Ariel Cacha. Defense lawyer Rameses Victorius Villagonzalo said the widow’s testimonies were “hearsay matters” passed off as eyewitness accounts. “The State rested its case armed only with receipts proving expenses in the burial,” the defense said, adding that eyewitnesses and medico-legal officers should have been presented. The prosecution has yet to comment on the motion. Gingoyon was shot and killed along Maximo Patalinjug Avenue in barangay Basak. He and his neighbor Paner Cacha, 34, were heading home when they were attacked by two motorcycle-riding men. Apart from Baclohan, Romulo Soreño was also tagged as a suspect in the murder.