After the initial shock from the bail order granted to the nine suspects of former Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino on March 8, the family of the slain city chief's worst fear came true when another judge officially signed the temporary release of the accused.
It can be recalled that Atty. Alma Uy-Lampasa, the Aquino family's lawyer, immediately filed a motion for reconsideration and a motion to inhibit then judge Maricar Lucero after what she called an "obviously" biased decision and personal connection of the judge to one of the alleged mastermind of the case.
Lucero was quick to back off from the case on March 9 which was then assigned to a new judge, Janet Cabalona of Regional Trial Court Branch 33. who affirmed the release on bail order of Lucero for the nine suspects last March 17.
Uy-Lampasa revealed that both she and the victims' family were not informed about the newly- assigned judge and were all baffled to know that the killer cops Harry Sucayre, Shyrile Co Tan, Dino Goles, Julio Armeza, Neil Cebu, Edcel Omega, Niño Salem, Julius Garcia and Randy Merelos are now roaming freely after being released from Tacloban City Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) facility after paying a bail of merely P120,000 in exchange for the four lives that were lost.
Family members fear for their safety
Knowing the capability to kill of the suspects, mourning families are now fearing for their safety.
“Nabaraka na ako sa amon seguridad adi akon mga anak. Mag nano ako sini? Diri na ako maaram kun magnano ako. Diri ko kruyag magtangis kay adi sira, mahadlok na liwat sira,” Ann Sario, the widow of a police security escort who died with the politician told Rappler.
Uy-Lampasa also posted her disdain on the current situation that may be considered the ultimate "plot-twist" of the year considering the the overwhelming evidence presented by the victims.
"It is an anomalous situation - that the families of victims are now the ones hiding, while murderers freely walk the earth. Erosion of the faith of the complainants in the judicial system is understandable. Nababaliktad an kamatuoran, "she posted on her social media account.
Same old pattern
Meanwhile, human rights advocates say that the favor towards the former officers for the ex-cops fits into a pattern of cases of Samar political killings.
Human rights advocate Judah Aliposa earlier told Rappler that the killings didn’t just start with the current administration and is in fact recorded several years back.
“It goes back to the late 80s, early 90s and it’s really the government that’s responsible, whether it’s the Duterte regime, or the past Aquino regime, or the Macapagal-Arroyo regime, or the Estrada regime. Because all of them have really not been able to give a solution to this problem in Samar.” Aliposa said.
Furthermore, Aliposa likened the killing problems in Samar to an "untreated wound" that continues to worsen over the years unless someone finally puts an end to it once and for all.