Police files homicide case against Leviste

Police files homicide charge against Leviste
By Ronron
January 15, 2007

Manila - Police filed homicide charges on Monday against former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste for the death of his aide last Friday.

Sr. Insp. Marlon Almoguera, chief of the Makati City Police Homicide Section, said Leviste, the estranged husband of former Senator Loren Legarda, was charged before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office based on his admission that he shot dead Rafael delas Alas in self-defense.

Leviste made the initial confession before Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and Makati City Police chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz when he surrendered at the Makati Medical Center a few hours after the shooting incident last Friday.

Leviste was confined at said hospital after he complained of hypertension.

In a radio interview yesterday, Almoguera said a female employee of Leviste had testified that prior to the shooting, delas Alas, 68, was walking back and forth in front of Leviste’s office at the 9th floor of the LPL Towers in Salcedo Village, Makati City at around lunch time.

Delas Alas was also observed to have tucked a gun on his waist even when he was still outside Leviste’s office.

When delas Alas was called in by Leviste, the female employee heard the two shouting at each other, arguing over something. Minutes later, gun fires were heard from the inside.

“Before the incident, they (Leviste and delas Alas) argued over the payment of one million pesos being asked by Ka Paeng (delas Alas). He (delas Alas) wanted to be paid at once. But the governor (Leviste) said the payment will be by 50,000 pesos a month… We still don’t know what is that one million pesos for,” Almoguera said in Filipino.

Police said Leviste shot delas Alas using his caliber 38 pistol, which was recovered at the crime scene, as well as four empty shells of caliber 38 ammunition.

A 9mm gun was also found at delas Alas right hand when responding policemen arrived.

Almoguera said it is possible that the prosecutor’s office may alter the case against Leviste to murder, if they find evidence that the shooting was pre-meditated.

Leviste remains under hospital arrest at the Makati Medical Center./DMS