2 men accused of shooting SB candidate, 2 others in Isabela walk free after charges were DISMISSED

San Pablo, Isabela—The office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Isabela has dismissed the charges filed against two men accused of shooting a candidate for Sangguniang Bayan (municipal councilor) and his companions last April 25 in Barangay Bungad, San Pablo, Isabela. 

According to local reports, the four-page resolution from the provincial prosecutor stated that the San Pablo PNP failed to provide enough evidence to support the accusations against the suspects.

Charges filed against the two include three counts of frustrated murder, one count of attempted murder, and a violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. 

It can be recalled that the two suspects were arrested during a police hot pursuit operation on April 25, while the other one remains at large. However, the prosecutor’s office said that the arrest of the two was not valid under the rules of warrantless arrest, as there was no proof they were committing a crime at the time of their apprehension. 

The resolutions also stated that they were not on board the white pickup truck (the reported getaway vehicle of the gunmen), but instead, they were inside a resort near the road when the shooting happened. 

In addition, the documents submitted by the police were incomplete. Many were just photocopies, and they failed to include a copy of the spot report, which is an important part of the investigation. The arrested individuals also tested negative in a paraffin test, which checks for gunpowder on a person’s hands. 

For said reasons, charges against the two accused were dropped by the prosecutor’s office. 

To recall, the victims—including SB candidate Mark Jon Paul Tipon, and his two companions Mark Francis Antonio, and John Lloyd Duran—were inside a pickup truck (also a white one) when they were ambushed on the morning of April 25. Fortunately, the victims survived the attack and are now in a stable condition. 

PNP San Pablo first reported that the suspects were using another pickup truck during the shooting and used a white one as a getaway vehicle. In the afternoon of said day, through a hot pursuit operation, they arrested the two accused.

As the charges against the two arrested men were dismissed by the Isabela Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, they have been released by the San Pablo PNP. Their identities were not disclosed by the police. 

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 2, under the leadership of Regional Director PBGEN Antionio Marallag Jr., said they respect the decision of the provincial prosecutor but stands firm on actions taken by the San Pablo PNP.

San Pablo PNP asserted that they followed legal procedures and acted based on evidence to apprehend the suspects.

In the interest of public welfare and justice for the victims, PNP San Pablo added that they will conduct a thorough review of the case. The matter will also be referred to the PNP Regional Legal Service to determine if it can be elevated to a higher court or if other legal remedies are available.

“Nirerespeto namin ang desisyon ng piskalya, pero hindi ibig sabihin nito ay titigil na kami. Gagawin pa rin namin ang lahat para makamit ang hustisya para sa mga biktima. Mabilis ang pagkakaaresto at may mga ebidensyang nakalap, patunay na ang inyong mga kapulisan ay buong pusong ginagampanan ang aming tungkulin. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi nabibigyan ng katarungan ang mga biktima,“  said Marallag Jr., as quoted by the agency in a news brief.