Murder raps filed against two men

Three counts of murder were filed before the Regional Trial Court against two persons accused in the Feb. 1 killing of a lawyer’s wife and her two companions in Talisay City.

The Talisay City Prosecutors’ Office found sufficient basis to indict Tommy Echavez and Junefer Mahilum, who were positively identified by witnesses as the men who  ambushed Virginia Sesbreño, Soledad Epanto, and Marlon Joshua Young.

No bail was recommended.

“Upon evaluation of the documents submitted, the undersigned finds probable cause to hold respondents for trial,” said Assistant City Prosecutor Jenelyn Forrosuelo whose resolution was approved by Talisay City Prosecutor Marshall Rubia.

Echavez and Mahilum were given the chance to submit their counter-affidavits to refute the allegations against them but they failed to do so.

Echavez was arrested on Feb. 26  after an encounter with policemen. The suspect was wounded during the encounter.

Mahilum, however, remains at large.

Five barangay tanods, who claimed to witness the shooting incident, testified against the two accused.

They said they were aboard the barangay patrol vehicle at the junctions of the South Road Property in barangay Cansojong, Talisay City when the attack happened.

As the assailants fled on a motorcycle, they nearly collided with the tanods’ vehicle. The tanods tried to pursue the assailants but they backed off when the backrider pointed a gun at them.

The tanods said they positively identified Mahilum and Echavez  from the Police Roques gallery because the assailants weren’t covering their faces or wearing any helmets during the attack.