2 accused in Davantes rob-slay case arraigned

Kristelle Kae Davantes

MANILA, Philippines —Two of the six accused in the Kristelle Davantes robbery-slay case admitted at their arraignment in a Las Piñas court on Thursday that they took part in robbing the victim but denied they had a hand in her death.

Thus, when the complex charge of robbery with homicide was read to them, Reggie Diel and Lloyd Enriquez, refused to enter a plea.

Judge Salvador Timbang of Branch 253 of the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court entered a “not guilty” plea for them.

The four other accused were not arraigned as it was only on Thursday that members of the prosecution included them as accused when they amended the original indictment of Diel and Enriquez. The four others are Samuel Decimo, Jomar Pepito, Jorek Evangelista, and Baser Minalang.

Acting on a request from the public defense lawyer, Timbang ordered all the accused transferred to the Las Piñas city jail.

Diel, Enriquez, Pepito and Evangelista were in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the Southern Police District headquarters in Taguig, while Decimo was being held at the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation. Minalang is at large.

The CIDG expressed no objections, although Diel spoke up to say he preferred to stay in the custody of the police in Taguig. But Timbang cut the argument short saying, “The court has ordered.”

The other co-accused are expected to be arraigned at the next hearing on Nov. 7.