Britanico ‘identifies’ cops in son’s murder

 “If you look in general at people who live in anarchy, they have quite high rates of death from either homicide or warfare or both. Anarchy is one of the main reasons for violence, and it may be the most important.”

—Steven Pinker

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THROUGH the sworn statement of a cop who reportedly drove the car of the alleged killers of his son one year ago, former Banat Partylist Rep. Salvador “Buddy” Britanico identified four more cops that may have participated in the sensational broad daylight murder.

In a statement released “on behalf of the Britanico and Lao families” on the first death anniversary of his son, Delfin Celestial Britanico, the former lawmaker from Oton, Iloilo pointed to Philippine National Police Corporal Joseph Andrew Poneles Joven, who allegedly named his companions in the Mitsubishi Adventure as Police Staff Sergeant Ricardo Cabrera Morante and Police Master Sergeant Vernie Lui Escorial.

Former Congressman Britanico said Morante and Escorial are the ones who allegedly shot Delfin dead on Iloilo River Boulevard in Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City on January 19, 2020 based on Joven’s sworn statement.

DELFIN C. BRITANICO

Joven, according to the former congressman, “was earlier identified in the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as the driver of the Mitsubishi Adventure used in the killing of Delfin.”

 

-o0o-

 

The father Britanico said Joven named his son’s alleged killers in his sworn statement together with his application to be a state witness filed with the Office of the Prosecutor General in the Department of Justice in Ermita, Manila.

“Joven further stated that their other companions in the vehicle were Police Staff Sergeant Michael Demegillo de Felipe and Police Staff Sergeant Freddie Hibalo Libo-on,” former Congressman Britanico further stated.

“Delfin, a businessman, was shot dead after conducting his wife, Katrina, home after Sunday Church Service and then taking a random Sunday noon drive on his motorcycle in Bgy. Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City last January 19, 2020,” recalled former Congressman Britanico.

“Justice is rolling!”

He further stated: “The Britanico and Lao Families pray and trust that justice will take its course.”

Morante, Escorial, De Felipe, and Libo-on haven’t yet made a press statement to refute the allegations against them.  

 

-o0o-

 

Boxing scribe Scott Christ has started conducting an on-line survey on who will win between Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Ryan Garcia, a new ring sensation who has been making headlines even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of this writing, fans overwhelmingly picked the former 8-time world champion despite his age.

It was not yet actually official, but Christ confirmed that “things seem to be moving toward Pacquiao-Garcia becoming a reality.”

For Pacquiao, it’s a big fight to be made that wouldn’t see him coming in as a substantial underdog, like bouts against Errol Spence Jr or Terence Crawford would, observed Christ.

The 22-year-old Garcia is talented and has the size to fight Pacquiao, whether it’s at 135 or 147 or 140 or whatever, he’s fast and can punch, but Pacquiao obviously has a metric ton of experience going for him. According to Christ, “There’s nothing Ryan Garcia can do that Manny Pacquiao has not seen, and that’s whether you’re a believer in Garcia or not.”

 

-o0o-

 

Analysts, including Christ, pointed to Pacquiao’s age at 42. “He hasn’t fought since the summer of 2019. He has without question lost a couple steps; this makes him still very good last we saw, but he’s not the phenom of 2009, that guy’s long gone. It’s not a knock, he just got older. It happens,” observed Christ.

“Assume the fight happens at at least 140 pounds if not a bit north or even a full 147, as I cannot imagine Pacquiao is going to go down to 135 for this, he hasn’t fought at that weight in 13 years, when he smashed David Diaz to bits.”

Does the age gap favor Garcia? 

Though his speed and power won’t be unseen to Pacquiao, is Manny now too old to handle what Garcia can bring? 

Or does the experience give Manny the big edge? 

Is Pacquiao still good enough, with too much skill and too many tricks of the trade, to be overcome by any physical advantages Garcia holds?

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

Smorgasbord of news

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”

—Fred Rogers

By Alex P. Vidal

THERE have only been three issues that “interrupted” the daily news headline dominated by coronavirus these past four months: the blackout in Iloilo City, the shifty “close-open” Angelicum School Iloilo ruckus, and the reported filing of double murder cases by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Region 6 against several cops involved in the twin killings in January this year.

Headline stories changed each time there were events of power interruptions or reports of looming blackout; and when there were major progress in the Muller-Britanico twin slay.

Blackouts were a prominent story because critics of MORE Power wanted the neophyte electric firm held accountable for the “habitual” power interruptions.

Breakthroughs in the Muller-Britanico double killings were important headline story because Ilonggos who follow the latest about the investigation want immediate justice for the victims.   

News of the sudden announcement of Angelicum School Iloilo’s “closure” elbowed its way to the headline only to die abruptly after it became a dud.  

-o0o-

Since March when COVID-19 started its murderous rampage, all that we read in the newspapers, seen on primetime TV, and heard on AM radios were news about coronavirus—its destruction to the human life and the global economy.

There has never been a sustained, extended, and protracted reportage of a single event in history other than about the coronavirus in 2020 and the World War II 75 years ago.

Even after the actual combat, post-World War II stories continued to dominate the news media in the 1940s, especially during the reconstruction and repatriation.

Even if COVID-19 cases will decline before December this year, major papers and the electronic media are expected to continue giving emphasis and importance to the post-COVID-19 stories, especially on the search for the pandemic’s vaccine.

-o0o-

There were instances these past weeks when the debates had shifted from the coronavirus to controversial political issues like Manny Pacquiao’s presidential ambition, the ongoing struggle of the ABS-CBN to obtain a new franchise, the passage of the hotly debated anti-terror bill, China’s non-stop but “silent” incursion on our natural resources and territorial soils, and, recently, the furor about Sharon Cuneta’s youngest daughter engaging in an on-line debate why women are being raped—and the alleged “threat” by a netizen to rape the daughter.

But, after a while, like a pendulum, news would be back again to coronavirus—especially when the policy and guidelines on the quarantine and social distancing had been violated by those who should be the ones to enforce the law.

COVID-19 is a compact subject matter. 

Media can tackle stacks of stories about the pandemic: heroism of the front liners, the infected and dislocated OFWs, how the government is solving the social amelioration program (SAP) “shortage” or how it is lowering the boom on corrupt DOH test kit facilitators, DSWD and village officials in charge of SAP distribution; how certain local governments flatten the curve, etcetera. 

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

What if the state witness is the culprit?

“Justice will overtake fabricators of lies and false witnesses.”
—Heraclitus

By Alex P. Vidal

CAN a thief turn over himself to authorities and incriminate himself by admitting to the theft but insist the stolen items are not on his possession?  
One of the four accused in the twin murders that rocked Iloilo City on January 19, 2020 reportedly had applied for the Witness Protection Program (WPP) in the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Police Corporal Joseph Andrew Joven, released on June 7 pending his WPP application, had reportedly vowed to cooperate with authorities
in the broad daylight killings of Alan Muller, an alleged drug personality, and Delfin Britanico, a businessman and a son of former Banat Partylist Rep. Salvador “Buddy” Britanico.
Previously assigned to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Holding and Accounting Unit, Joven had been declared as AWOL or absent without official leave for his failure to appear when the ICPO ordered a random drug examination on all cops in the metropolis.
Another accused, Police Corporal Jerry Villanueva, assigned to the PNP Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) based in Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City, had been reportedly placed under restrictive custody.

-o0o-

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Western Visayas has charged Joven, Villanueva, and two other John Does with double murder.
Of the four, only Joven had applied for WPP.
As of this writing, it was not known yet whether his application was approved by the DoJ.
Already so many questions have swirled regarding Joven’s move to turn state witness.
What if he was the triggerman? 
Was Muller’s killing “authorized”? (And could this be the reason why Joven wanted to turn state witness?) 
Was Britanico killed only for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? (Probers have zeroed in on this angle.)
Did Joven “beat to the draw” fellow accused Villanueva in the WPP?
Will Villanueva back Joven or pin him down? If he will back Joven, against whom?
Initial investigations said the twin killings were related or were done by the same gunman or group of gunmen. 

-o0o-

According to the DoJ primer on the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program RA 6981–Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act Rule 119, Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, below are some facts on how one can become a state witness, and how one can be admitted to the government's Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program.
1. Who is a state witness? A person charged with the commission of a crime but who is discharged with his consent so that he/she may be a witness for the State.
2. Who applies for the discharge of the state witness, and where is the application submitted? The prosecution submits to the court a motion for the discharge of the state witness.
Republic Act 6981 (the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act) also states that the Department of Justice (DOJ) can "petition the Court for [the accused's] discharge in order that he can (be) utilized as State Witness."
The court will direct the discharge of the accused after all requirements are met.
3. What are the requirements in order for an accused to be discharged as a state witness? Section 9, Rule 119 of the Rules of Court provides for the following requirements: 
There is absolute necessity for the testimony of the accused.
There is no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense committed, apart from the testimony of the accused.
The testimony of the accused can be substantially corroborated in its material points.
The accused does not appear to be the most guilty.
The accused hasn't been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.
4. What is the procedure for discharging a person as a state witness? The prosecution should file a motion to discharge the accused as state witness with his consent.
The court will require the prosecution to present evidence and the sworn statement of the proposed state witness.
If the court is satisfied, it will discharge the state witness. But if the court denies the motion for discharge, the State can file a petition for certiorari.
5. What are the effects of the discharge? Evidence in support of the discharge shall automatically form part of the trial (unless the court denies the motion to discharge).
The discharge is equivalent to an acquittal, unless the witness fails or refuses to testify later on.
6. How can a state witness be admitted to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program? While the application as state witness is the domain of the court, the application for admission in the program is filed to and approved by DOJ.
An application form may be obtained from the Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program Secretariat (at the DOJ building in Padre Faura, Manila) or from any Regional State Prosecutor.
7. What are the requirements in order for a state witness to be admitted in the program?
RA 6981 states the same requirements listed Section 9, Rule 119 of the Rules of Court (see #3 above), but adds another requirement:
The offense in which the accused testimony will be used is a grave felony as defined under the Revised Penal Code or its equivalent under special laws
8. Apart from the acquittal, what other benefits may a witness under the program receive?
-Security protection and escort services
-Secure housing facility
-Assistance in obtaining a means of livelihood.
-Reasonable traveling expenses and subsistence allowance while acting as a witness
-Free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicine for any injury or illness incurred or suffered while acting as a witness
-Burial benefits of not less than P10,000 if the witness is killed
-Free education from primary to college level for the minor or dependent children of a witness who dies or is permanently incapacitated
-Non-removal or demotion in work because of absences due to his being a witness, and payment of full salary or wage while acting as witness
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Get killers of Muller and Britanico

“This thing that men call justice, this blind snake that strikes men down in the dark, mindless with fury, keep your hand back from it, pass by in silence.”

—Maxwell Anderson

By Alex P. Vidal

WE trust that forensic science will play a major role in helping identify the killers of Allen Muller and Delfin “Del” Britanico.

Both Muller, 42, and Britanico, 36, were shot multiple times in separate places by unidentified assailants on January 19 in Iloilo City.

Muller, a former drug surrenderee and call agent, was killed in Brgy. Cuartero, Jaro at around 12 noon, while Britanico, a businessman, was shot to death in Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz minutes later.

Initial investigations reportedly showed the empty shells from .45 caliber pistol recovered in the two crime scenes were fired from the same gun.

Which will indicate that the twin killings could be related; or, the suspects could be one and the same.

We expect the more professional National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Criminal Investigation Detective Group (CIDG) to have a breakthrough in their probes.

Forensic science has been a big miracle and constantly credited in the solution of many complicated and almost unsolved crimes in the United States these past 30 years.

-o0o-

The recovery of empty shells is basically a major lead in a crime that involves the use of a firearm as the murder weapon; and it can help bring the investigators closer to the killers’ identity.

Leaving behind the empty shells in the crime scene is tantamount to leaving behind the suspects’ footprints.

If Muller’s murder was a case of extra-judicial killing (EJK), Britanico’s murder could be a case a “collateral damage”. 

Britanico, who was driving his motorbike, could have accidentally engaged Muller’s killers in a traffic spat while they were fleeing which resulted in a road rage.

A chase could have followed suit until they found a perfect spot to finish off Britanico, a well-educated and promising entrepreneur.

The itch to shoot more is reportedly stronger for people with criminal instinct after having committed a crime.

Clinical psychologists can best explain why the trigger-happy assailants decided to kill another human being after making sure they killed their first target, if proven that the killers of Muller and Britanico are one.

-o0o-

POSTSCRIPT: We call on our media colleagues, especially the senior practitioners who know personally former Iloilo assemblyman and Banat Partylist Rep. Salvador “Buddy” Britanico, Del’s father, to help the Britanico family in their moments of sorrow and tribulation in whatever means and capacity.

Rep. Britanico is one of the only few Iloilo public servants who is very dear to many media practitioners with or without the elections.

Rep. Britanico would always distribute calendars to his friends and constituents with all members of his family in the photo.

They are awesome. The Britanico family is a role model and a source of inspiration and good values.

Rep. Britanico, formerly the national president of the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association, is former Constitutional Commission (Con-Con) delegate and once served as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Education during the Marcos regime.

Rep. Britanico introduced me to the entire Britanico family led by Dr. Lita Celestial in the dining table, including the late Del, his older brothers Buddy Jr. and Atty. Franco, when me and Panay News columnist Herbert Vego visited their house in Congressional Avenue in Quezon City more than 20 years ago.

All members of the Britanico family always prayed and ate together if they were all present in the house. Now, they mourn together. We hope the family will get justice for Del’s macabre death.

God bless Del’s soul.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)