SC grants writ for boy witness in Pangasinan slay

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a writ of amparo requested by the father of a boy who is a witness in the murder last year of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a murder complaint against Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., Pangasinan Rep. Jesus Celeste and the boy’s father, Jaime Aquino, for the Martinez killing.

Jaime and Ester Aquino filed an urgent petition on behalf of their 16-year-old son, which the high court tackled in a full-court session on Tuesday and resolved to grant.

The high court also directed the Court of Appeals to hear the petition of the Aquinos and decide the case within 10 days.

In addition, the high court ordered the NBI, the Department of Justice and Akap Bata Caritas “to make a verified return of the writ of amparo within 72 hours from receipt of the writ.”

The NBI last week filed a murder complaint against the older Aquino, Espino and Celeste based on the testimony of Aquino’s son who claimed to have overheard Espino and Celeste plotting the murder of Martinez at a meeting they were having at the El Pescador beach resort in Bolinao, Batangas.

The boy claimed that the older Aquino, an alleged associate of Espino, was present at the meeting.—Christine Avendaño