Quezon prosecutors ordered to resolve swiftly charges vs film director, 3 others in burning of jeepney
The Quezon Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has been directed to resolve expeditiously the charges filed against a film director and his companions who were accused of burning a modern jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Friday, Feb. 9.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla himself gave the directive to prosecutor handling the charges against film director Jade Castro and his companions Noel Mariano, Ernesto Orcine, and Dominic Ramos.
Castro and his companions have been detained at the Catanauan municipal police station since Feb. 1.
“The Secretary has instructed the Provincial Prosecutor of Quezon, through the National Prosecution Service, to make sure that justice is dispensed with appropriately and expeditiously,” Clavano said.
He said "the respondents (Castro and his group) have already waived their rights under Article 125 of the RPC (Revised Penal Code) in order to submit a counter affidavit where the prosecutor will evaluate their defenses.”
Article 125 of the RPC provides that penalties will be “ imposed upon the public officer or employee who shall detain any person for some legal ground and shall fail to deliver such person to the proper judicial authorities within the period of; twelve (12) hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties, or their equivalent; eighteen (18) hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by correctional penalties, or their equivalent; and thirty-six (36) hours, for crimes, or offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties, or their equivalent. “
Published reports stated that witnesses have testified that Castro and his companions attended the Cocolunay Festival last Jan. 31 in Malunay, Quezon which is 22 kilometers away from Catanauan town where the burning of the modern jeepney happened.
The same reports stated that the witnesses testified that four armed men wearing bonnets burned a modern jeepney after flagging it down and told the driver and passengers to leave. The four armed men reportedly checked in a resort where Castro and his group were staying.
Acting on an information, the police went to the resoort the following day, Feb. 1, and interviewed Castro and his companions.
Later, the police invited Castro and his group to the police station in Catanauan town where they have been detained since Feb. 1," the same witnesses said.