Accused tries to choke prosecutor after verdict

MANILA, Philippines—An accused who was convicted for kidnapping for ransom with homicide tried to strangle a senior prosecutor inside the court after his verdict was handed down on Thursday.

Onofre Surat, who was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, suddenly grabbed Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and used his handcuff to strangle him inside the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 226 Judge Manuel B. Sta. Cruz Jr.

Surat was convicted for the kidnapping and death of 23-year-old Mark Harris Bacalla in 2001. He was the son of the late Quezon City RTC Judge Marciano Bacalla.

After the verdict was handed down, Fadullon said Surat told him he was sorry but insisted on his innocence. He then told the court that it’s better to abide by the decision. That’s when he turned to Fadullon again and tried to strangle him.

Security escorts immediately took hold of Surat but Fadullon suffered a gash in his neck caused by the handcuff. He said he had anti-tetanus shots.