Some months ago when the Noli Sugay story broke I asked a Filipino friend what he thought would happen. His reply was as follows:
This will be a classic example of how the Philippine justice system works, or rather, doesn't. Seen it hundreds of times. The family of the victim will be paid off and/or threatened. The case will be dropped for lack of witnesses.
I honestly didn't believe him. After all, this was as close as you can get to an open-and-shut case. Here is an extract from the original Inquirer story back in July:
An investigation showed the incident happened around 6 p.m. at the corner of Coral and Dagupan Streets where the suspect’s and the victim’s vehicles were parked.Witnesses said Sugay, who was reportedly visiting a friend and was accompanied by a bodyguard, got irked that Luriz’s jeepney was blocking his car, a Toyota Fortuner (ZCG 783).
Sugay, who reportedly introduced himself as a policeman, and Luriz got into a heated argument. The suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Luriz in the head.
The victim died while undergoing treatment at the hospital, police said. Chief Insp. Alejandro Yanquiling, chief of the MPD Homicide Division, said a team was dispatched to arrest the suspect who, according to City Hall employees, had not reported for work since Thursday.
Police said relatives of the victim, particularly the mother who reportedly witnessed the incident, had yet to give their statements to authorities.
City Hall insiders, who refused to be named, said Sugay, reportedly the son of the secretary to Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas in the 1960s, had figured in several unpleasant incidents in the past. They also refused to deny or confirm if the suspect was the same Noli Sugay identified in news reports in the past as Atienza’s special assistant and Lakas party member, who had been accused of manhandling his alleged victims.
Furthermore, Noli Sugay had previously been found guilty of murder.
Some days after the shooting the victim's mother gave a graphic description of murder Philippine style:
“He fired at my son then pointed his firearm at me. Then he aimed his firearm upwards and fired in the air. All the while, his bodyguard was carrying an umbrella to shield him from the rain,” the grieving Mrs. Luris said in Tagalog during an interview over radio station dzBB yesterday.
Despite all this--the many witnesses, the previous conviction, the umbrella--this is the latest on the case. Everything has turned out exactly as my friend said it would.
THE murder case filed against an aide of Manila Mayor Joselito “Lito” Atienza has been withdrawn by the mother and brother of the jeepney driver he was charged of gunning down.In an affidavit of desistance submitted to the Department of Justice (DoJ), Rosario and Alexander Luriz said they were withdrawing the complaint against Noli Sugay for allegedly killing Aries Luriz, 27, after much "soul searching."
"After a soul searching examination of ourselves and verification of the facts and circumstances that lead to the filing of said complaint, we have come to realize [and] conclude that there [has] been misapprehension of facts and for which we are no longer interested in the further prosecution of the cases and manifest that we are voluntarily and freely desisting from testifying against Noli Sugay," the two said in the joint affidavit of desistance submitted to State Prosecutor Rameo Martin Seranilla.
They also said they "have never been coerced, intimidated or subjected to any and due influence or promise of any reward" to withdraw the case. "This is our free and voluntary statement which we are willing to uphold as to the truth of its contents in any office or court anytime under oath," they said.
What can you say?
This is the most sickening thing I have ever heard of. This just proves (1) Atienza is a complete goon, and (2) in this country you really can get away with murder.
Posted by: rica | November 29, 2006 at 05:36 AM
I find it hard to believe that Sugay's family (mother) would say, "You killed my son. Oh well, ok, I'll let it pass." So yes, wonder if it was a threat or a bribe. It could only be one of the two. Depressing.
Posted by: frayed | November 29, 2006 at 08:04 AM
sigh. damn bandit country.
Posted by: eevilmidget | November 29, 2006 at 09:42 AM
What can people do in the face of this ruthlessness? I would like to say "resist" and "fight for justice"; but it seems unfair to demand more courage from a grieving, powerless family.
A pious mayor with a killer for an aide. A religious president who abets the murders of activists. My mind refuses to process the irony.
Posted by: Carla | November 29, 2006 at 11:52 AM
it's just too revolting to contemplate. it's like the marcos era. again.
this sort of thing, the injustice, the pointless violence and evil, the sense of helplessness we all feel, is really typical within a poverty-mired third world environment (Philippines, Africa, central america..).
if you are poor, you have no recourse. and we who read hear of these horrific stories feel pretty @$#%$^* helpless..
Posted by: gonzo | November 29, 2006 at 10:23 PM
Is that retraction by the family even legal? Isn't the reason why criminal cases are billed the 'People of the Philippines vs ....' because the state is obliged to prosecute suspects regardless of whether private individuals do so or not? Lawyers are welcome to enlighten me.
Posted by: cvj | November 30, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Yes, I would really like some enlightenment on this point too. It has always seemed to me as though criminal justice in the Philippines depends far more on the victim "bringing a case" than it does in other countries (at least that is how the press always reports it). This case is a good example of what is wrong with that system.
As you say, despite this, the state must have an obligation to prosecute a crime (although in this case they may say there is no point because the main witnesses have withdrawn their statements).
The Sugay case also throws up another problem with the administration of justice in the Philippines. One might expect the police to push for a prosecution -- after all someone was clearly murdered and if no-one is caught this is another unsolved crime statistic. However, the politicization of state agencies means that the family's fears back in July have come true:
"Team leader Ruel Lasala, the agency’s National Capital Region director, said the official probe was requested by the victim’s family members “who fear a possible whitewash or cover-up if local police force leads the investigation because they (relatives) believe the suspect is a very powerful... and close to Chief Supt. Bulaong and Mayor Atienza... also to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo whom Sugay always brags... as a classmate during their high school days at the Ateneo de Manila in the sixties.”
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police04_july18_2006
Posted by: torn | November 30, 2006 at 03:43 PM
The mother recounted the incident... "he shot him then looked at me and fired in the air while his bodyguard watched, holding an umbrella over him." This obviously does not sound like something made up. To withdraw now can only mean one thing: That the family of Aries Luriz was obviously threatened and/or paid to be silent.
Filipinos are God-fearing and superstitious people. So may the ghost of Ariel haunt Sugay to madness. And in leaving vengeance to their silent God, I wish Ariel's mother peace of mind.
Ignorance is characteristic of Filipino society. If they knew better, they would know that there is no such thing as ghosts and what your life turns out to be is really up to you. If you prefer to live in fear, then that's your choice.
According to the Book, the ephemeral Being with which this entire nation holds a monologue discussion with gave man Free Will. You can do as you please. So if you prefer to be indifferent and allow evil to triumph, you chose that path, not God.
May those who are in a position to do so, seek justice for Aries Luriz.
Posted by: DHH | December 02, 2006 at 02:06 AM
^ Oh,leave God out of it, will you?
"Ignorance is characteristic of Filipino society." Yeah? While you believe in the contents of a "Book"and an entire society that functions only according to "Free Will". Whose free will is that, DHH? Is it the sum of all individuals' free wills? Ever heard of power, violence and political systems? Ever heard of tyranny?
NOBODY chooses to live in fear, you self-righteous moron.
Posted by: Carla | December 03, 2006 at 11:48 AM
We should elect Sugay to higher office so he can get rid of all the bad people in the country.
Posted by: Simple pinoy | December 18, 2007 at 06:01 PM
one of these days, Sugay will meeet his tragic end like those of his victims. He is an evil personafied. May God forgives this wicked man.
Posted by: cenon miranda | January 29, 2008 at 05:53 PM
one of these days, Sugay will meeet his tragic end like those of his victims. He is an evil personafied. May God forgives this wicked man.
Posted by: cenon miranda | January 29, 2008 at 05:54 PM
PINOYS CHOOSE PRAYER OVER REPORTING CRIME:
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl107013.htm
Who is the self-righteous moron, Carla?
I normally do not engage in conversation with morons who attack people for their ideas.
Posted by: DHH | February 02, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Ahhh, sigh! I feel sad for this tragic news. I really hope justice will prevail.
Posted by: Kjng Pin | September 09, 2009 at 07:23 AM