DOJ summons Sandra Cam, others on Masbate vice mayor’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — A panel of state prosecutors has summoned PCSO board member Sandra Cam to answer allegations in connection with the death of Batuan, Masbate vice mayor Charlie Yuson III in Sampaloc, Manila last year.

The one-page subpoena dated February 28 also directed Cam’s son, Marco Martin and Batuan acting mayor Nelson Cambaya to also attend the preliminary investigation.

Yuson was killed, while two of his companions identified as Alberto Alforte and Wilfredo Pineda were wounded when they were shot at by still unknown assailants as the three were having breakfast in Sampaloc, Manila on October 10, 2019.

The NBI last February 23 filed the cases against the respondents and named Yuson’s widow, Lalaine, his brother Charlie Jr. and Alforte as complainants, stemming from an alleged dispute over the town’s mayoral post.

Also summoned by the panel of prosecutors are the alleged gunman Junel Gomez, Bradford Solis, Juanito De Luna, and Rigor dela Cruz. The three have been arrested a day after the incident.

“Under and by virtue of the authority vested in us by law, you are hereby summoned to appear at 3rd Floor Conference Room, New Building, Department of Justice, Padre Faura, Ermita Manila on March 9, 2020 and March 16,2020 at 2p.m., in connection with the preliminary hearing of the above-entitled case and to submit your counter-affidavit and those of your witnesses and other supporting documents, if any, in your defense,” read the order signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, Assistant State Prosecutor Josie Christina Dugay and Associate Prosecution Attorney Eugene Yusi.

The subpoena stated that failure on the part of Cam and the other respondents to respond to the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation is considered a waiver on their part to present their defense and the panel shall resolve the case based on the complainants’ evidence alone.

The panel also invited the wife and brother of the slain mayor as well as his aide, Alforte, who survived the attack.

Cam’s son Marco Martin lost to Yuson’s son, Charmax Jan Yuson for Batuan’s mayoralty post in the 2019 mid-term elections.

But the younger Yuson was soon jailed for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and his father was named acting mayor until he was killed.

Cam has repeatedly denied any knowledge or involvement in the crime.

EDV