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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Criminal complaints filed vs Quezon legislator, 10 others 'for planting evidence' against journalist

Criminal complaints filed vs Quezon legislator, 10 others 'for planting evidence' against journalist

Published Jul 30, 2024 10:46 am

A criminal complaint has been filed against a Quezon province congressman and 10 others, including members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), for allegedly planting evidence against a journalist in Pangasinan.

Jestin Aquino, the son of journalist Jaime Aquino, filed the complaint before the Pangasinan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on July 23, against Rep. David C. Suarez; his parents former Quezon governor Danilo E. Suarez and former Quezon 3rd District congresswoman Aleta C. Suarez; NBI Regional Director Emeterio A. Dongallo  Jr.; National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Director and Spokesperson Jose Joel S. Egco; Alfredo Villamor Jr.; Fiel M. Vida; Sandy V. Dy; Jerome A. De Villa; Ruperto R. Mirando IV; and Arkie Manuel O. Yulde.

They were accused of planting evidence in violation of Section 4-A of Republic Act (RA) 9516, or the act amending provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866 on Codifying the Laws on Illegal or Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunitions or Explosives; and Section 38 of RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The case stemmed from the NBI arrest of Jaime on March 15, 2022 in his residence in Baraangay Aserda in Mapanda, Pangasinan where two grenades and a firearm were found during the implementation of a search warrant that was secured by the bureau from Judge Rusty Naya of Tayug City Regional Trial Court (RTC) using the testimony of Jestin.

In his complainant-affidavit and affidavit of confession, Jestin claimed that he received a total of P2 million and a Toyota Fortuner to help plant evidence against his father.

He said he was convinced to help the respondents since he was mad at his father during that time.

But Jestin said he later realized his mistake and said he is now trying to correct it by narrating what really happened and by asking forgiveness from his father.

Jestin personally affirmed the statement in his affidavits in his press conference in Manila on Monday, July 30.

None of the respondents in the complaint could be contracted for comment as of posting.

 

 

 

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