Murder case filed vs alleged Enzo Pastor gunman

MANILA, Philippines – A murder case was filed Thursday, September 18, against the alleged gunman in the death of car racer Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the murder case against policeman Edgar Angel at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Angel is the alleged gunman hired by businessman Domingo de Guzman, who, alongside Pastor’s widow Dahlia, allegedly plotted to kill the race car driver.

Angel earlier admitted his involvement in the killing, saying De Guzman paid him P100,000 for the hit job. 

However, on September 8, Angel made a U-turn, claiming his admission was made under duress, and that his arrest was “unlawful.” Police, however, said his confession was valid, and Quezon City police insisted there was no pressure for the suspect to confess.

A September 12 resolution written by Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva stated that there is probable cause for a murder case against Angel, a member of the Pasay City police, even after he recanted his confession.

The resolution said the respondent’s decision to kill Pastor was “the result of meditation, calculation, and reflection.”

Villanueva, in the resolution, ignored the recantation, saying the “statement cannot be given credence” because the purpose of inquest proceedings was to determine probable cause.

De Guzman, on the other hand, was arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms, but has since been released on bail.

In Angel’s case, no bail was recommended, according to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano.

The 32-year-old race car driver, considered one of the Philippines’ best, was killed last June 12 while transporting an Asian V8 car in Quezon City. – Rappler.com