Suspects in Atimonan massacre case post bail

Dismissed police Supt. Hansel Marantan and other accused in the 2013 Atimonan bloodbath have been ordered released from jail after posting bail on Thursday. 

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 34  Judge Liwliwa Hidalgo-Bucu issued the release orders for the accused who posted bail of P300,000 each. 

[READ: Manila court allows bail for Atimonan masscare suspects]

Also granted temporary freedom were: 

• Chief Inspector Grant Gollod
• Senior Inspector John Paolo Carracedo
• Senior Inspector Timoteo Orig
• SPO3 Joselito De Guzman
• SPO1 Carlo Cataquiz
• SPO1 Arturo Sarmiento
• PO3 Eduardo Oronan
• PO2 Nelson Indal
• PO1 Wryan Sardea
• PO1 Rodel Talento

The case for multiple murder stemmed from the death of 13 victims who were gunned down at a checkpoint by a joint force from the local police and military on January 6, 2013 in Atimonan, Quezon. 

The Atimonan incident was passed off by Marantan, the mission commander, as a legitimate operation against the group of suspected jueteng lord Vic Siman.

But in its investigation report, the NBI said there was no indication that the implicated government forces "desisted or prevented their group from shooting the victims" even if one of them was already raising his hands in surrender.

The NBI also noted the intentional act of tampering evidence by changing the positions of guns and other objects to mislead investigators,  wipe out traces of the crime, and prevent authorities from detecting irregularities in the implementation of checkpoint operations.

However, the court decided to grant the bail petitions of the said accused as the prosecution failed to establish that the evidence of guilt is strong. 

For instance, the court found that the checkpoint in Atimonan was authorized because it was covered by the case operation plan. 

“Thus, the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties arises,” the court said.

The judge also noted that except for Marantan, Gollod, Carracedo and Balauag, there was no mention of the actual participation of the other accused other than their presence at the place of the incident. — RSJ/BAP, GMA News