AN Army general and nine of his men accused of involvement in the killing of a 38-year-old businesswoman-model in Davao City last December 28 were charged with murder.
Police Regional Office 11 director Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. charged before a local prosecutor’s office were Brig. Gen. Jesus P. Durante III, a former head of the Presidential Security Group during the Duterte administration-turned commander of the Army’s 100st Infantry Brigade, and his deputy Col. Michael D. Liclayo.
Also charged were Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr., Cpl. Adrian Cachero, Privates First Class Romart Longakit and Rolly Cabal, Noel Japitan of Maco, Davao de Oro, one alias “Jr.” and one alias “Master Sergeant” who was said to be a bodyguard of Durante.
Silo said all the respondents in the case are currently under the custody of their Philippine Army superiors.
Durante had previously denied any involvement in the Plaza murder case.
The SITG Plaza was created to investigate the killing of Plaza around 7:30 p.m. last December 28 at Purok 18, Buttercup St., corner Bluebell St. in Green Meadows, Bgy. Sto. Niño, Tugbok District, Davao City.
An initial investigation showed the victim, a resident of the same subdivision, had just alighted from her white Mitsubishi Montero and was about to open the gate of her house when she was shot at the back by two unidentified motorcycle-riding assassins
Silo said that the following day, the names of some prominent personalities, including Durante, were dragged into the killing following a Facebook post of Christian Albert Gaza.
One of the Facebook posts claimed the victim had earlier asked friends to help her escape from beating, showing photos of bruises on her face and giving the name of her assailant.
A Special Investigation Task Grouip Plaza was created to dig deeper into the murder case.
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