Almost nine years after a man was killed in Sta. Margarita, Samar in 2017, 10 persons suspected to be the “murderers” have been charged before the court.

The filing of a murder case against Emilio J. Soza and nine other accused was approved last March 10 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) through Prosecutor General Anthony D. Fadullon.

Aside from Soza, also charged with murder were Arturo Deborbon, Nelson Deborbon, Junie Deborbon, Christopher Deborbon, Rolando Deborbon, Ricky Calagos, Reymart Antivo, Joel Calagos, and Sofronio Medoranda Jr.

The DOJ held them responsible for the killing on July 23, 2017 of Enrique Manas Sr. who was gunned down in Barangay Bahay in Sta. Margarita town.

The case filed last March 19 before the court state: “The accused, with intent to kill, in conspiracy with one another, in consideration of a price, reward or promise, with the use of different caliber of firearms, did then and there willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously, shoot Enrique Manas Sr. in the different parts of his body, thereby causing his death, in the damage and prejudice of his lawful heirs.”

The case was finally filed in court after the lawyer of Manas’ family sent a letter last March 3 to DOJ Acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida.

The law firm Gargantiel and Associate told Vida that on Jan. 16, 2025 then DOJ secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla issued a directive that Fadullon “to file the necessary information in court and ensure compliance within ten (10) days.”

It was not known immediately why Remulla’s directive was not immediately implemented.

In the letter to Vida, Manas’ lawyers said: “The families of Mr. Manas continue to endure uncertainty, grief, and the emotional strain of unresolved justice. They hope for clarity and the opportunity to see the case progress, not for retribution, but to achieve closure and finality in accordance with the law.”