Sen. Revilla seeks re-investigation of brother’s slay

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is seeking a re-investigation into the murder of his half-brother, Ramgen Bautista, in which two of his siblings had been implicated, as he and his family expressed disbelief at police findings.

“I would like to request for a re-investigation,” said Sen. Revilla in a statement in Filipino at the St. Angelus Eternal Gardens in Imus, Cavite where Ramgen, an actor who carried the screen name Ram Revilla, was laid to rest.

“Let us make sure that it’s correct. Is it correct?” said Revilla in making the appeal to police which arrested Tuesday Ramon Joseph Bautista, Ramgen’s younger brother, and implicated a sister, Maria Ramona Belen, in the crime that was committed at the family-owned home in Parañaque City last October 28.

Ramgen, who was with girlfriend Janelle Manahan, was shot and stabbed several times while Manahan was shot although she survived.

Revilla said it was difficult to believe that their siblings could commit such a crime although, he added, they should be held accountable if they did.

But at the same time, Revilla reiterated that this wasn’t possible, saying no witness can solidly claim that their siblings had committed the crime.

Revilla said his family was leaving it up to the authorities but that they should be sure of what they were doing.

Mentioning their father, former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., the younger Revilla said, “My dad is in the hospital right now. He’s okay.”  Revilla Sr. is confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City where he was rushed Tuesday due to high blood pressure.

“What I am telling you now is what’s in his [father’s] heart,” Revilla said, adding, “If our family is carrying a heavy load at the moment, what more of my dad.”

Aside from Ramon Joseph, two others are now in police custody while Maria Ramona Belen and three others are at large.