By Jennifer P. Rendon
Charges for murder and three counts of murder were already filed against the suspects who allegedly strafed a family in Badiangan, Iloilo.
Lieutenant Ma. Doreen Losaria, Badiangan police chief, said they filed the case against the arrested suspect, April John Valle, and two John Does, before the Iloilo Prosecutors Office on Tuesday.
The three suspects were tagged in the strafing incident at Barangay Calansanan evening of February 14 that claimed that life of an 11-year-old girl.
Mary Jean Jano succumbed to a lone gunshot injury on her head. The victim was with her cousins and grandfather during the incident.
Valle, 33, of Barangay Matag-ub, Janiuay, was arrested in a follow-up operation at his sibling’s house in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay.
Despite the positive identification of the victim’s family members, Valle has denied any hand in the incident.
In accusing the suspect, the victim’s family cited an incident that happened a few hours before their house was strafed.
It stemmed from an earlier commotion that happened between the suspects’ group and the victim’s uncles, brothers Richard Yucogco and Joseph Yucogco, in Janiuay town around 5:30 p.m. on February 14.
Richard narrated that they had a misunderstanding with Valle after the latter blocked their truck with his motorcycle.
Richard said he confronted Valle until a heated argument ensued between them.
The verbal tussle ended with the two groups exchanging punches.
Richard said he boxed Valle after the latter kicked his truck’s door.
The two groups were later taken to the Janiuay Police Station where they agreed to settle things.
That’s why Richard said he was surprised after Valle’s group attacked their house.
