THE National Bureau of Investigation 7 filed on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, frustrated murder charges against six suspected assailants in relation to the attempted slay of lawyer James Joseph Gupana.
Rennan Augustus Oliva identified the six suspects as retired army official Edwin Layese, who was detained at the Cebu City Jail; Fausto Peralta, detained at NBI 7; John Suarez; Manuelito Camacho; Randy Palparan; and a John/Jane Doe as the ones charged at the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.
“We are charging them for frustrated murder penalized under Article 248 in relation to Article 6 and Article 8 of the Revised Penal Code (Committed in Conspiracy with one another). Peralta’s extrajudicial confession was also included on our list of evidence because he also submitted it, admitting his participation in the shooting of Attorney Gupana,” Oliva said.
The individuals were the same ones charged for the murder of lawyer Joey Luis Wee in broad daylight as he entered the building where his office is located on J. Panis St. in Brgy. Kasambagan, Cebu City on Nov. 23, 2020.
Oliva said the motive they are looking into based on their investigation is the land dispute between Layese’s live-in partner and Gupana.
The NBI 7 chief said Peralta admitted that Layese was the one who directed them, told them who the target was, assisted by Palparan for the operation in both Wee’s and Gupana’s cases.
Gupana was shot on Oct. 10, 2020 in Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City. He survived. (JOB)