The Department of Justice has subpoenaed Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Board Member Sandra Cam to appear before a preliminary investigation, in connection with the killing of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III and the wounding of two of his companions in Sampaloc, Manila on October 10, 2019 which allegedly arose from a dispute over the town’s mayoralty post.
In a single-page subpoena dated February 28, the DOJ also required Cam’s son, Marco Martin and Batuan acting mayor Nelson Cambaya to also attend the hearing.
Also enjoined to attend the preliminary investigation are suspected gunmen Junel Gomez, Bradford Solis, Juanito De Luna and Rigor dela Cruz.
Gomez, Solis, De Luna and dela Cruz were arrested a day after the crime.
“Under and by virtue of the authority vested in us by law, you are hereby summoned to appear at 3rd Floor Conference Room, New Building, Department of Justice, Padre Faura, Ermita Manila on March 9, 2020 and March 16,2020 at 2p.m., in connection with the preliminary hearing of the above-entitled case and to submit your counter affidavit and those of your witnesses and other supporting documents, if any, in your defense,” said the order signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, Assistant State Prosecutor Josie Christina Dugay and Associate Prosecution Attorney Eugene Yusi.
According to the DOJ, failure on the part of Cam and the other respondents to attend and answer the cases filed by the National Bureau of Investigation shall be considered as a waiver on their part to present their defense and the panel shall resolve the case based on the complainants’ evidence alone.
The panel also invited the wife and brother of the slain mayor as well as his aide, Alberto Alforte, who survived the attack.
Cam’s son Marco Martin lost to Yuson’s son, Charmax Jan Yuson for Batuan’s mayoralty post in the 2019 mid-term elections.
However, the younger Yuson was soon jailed for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and his father was named acting mayor until he was killed.
Last Feb. 23, the NBI filed the cases against the respondents and named Yuson’s widow, Lalaine, his brother Charlie Jr. and Alforte as complainants.
Yuson, Alforte and another companion, Wilfredo Pineda were having breakfast when they were shot at.
Alforte and Pineda survived the attack although both were wounded.
Cam has repeatedly denied any knowledge or involvement in the crime.