MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) State prosecutors found probable cause to indict Ryan Joseph Jaworski, son of basketball legend and former senator Robert Jaworski Sr, with charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms over an alleged shootout with police officers. (READ: Jaworski family: It was ‘hulidap’) 

In a text message on Thursday, October 22, National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Chief Inspector Kim Molitas said their Regional Police Intelligence Operation Unit (RPIOU) received the document from the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office through registered mail on Thursday.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Gaudencio Tolledo Jr recommended in his resolution dated October 13 that Jaworski be charged with 4 counts of attempted murder in conspiracy with Joselito Au, the alleged driver of their getaway vehicle, with P120,000 worth of bail for each count.

Tolledo also recommended that Jaworski be charged with one count of illegal possession of firearms with a bail amount of P120,000.

However, the charge of direct assault upon an agent of person in authority filed against Jaworski by the police was dismissed by the prosecutor.

Tolledo also dismissed the counter-charges of frustrated murder that Jaworski filed against the RPIOU members involved in the operation. 

Jaworski, Au and their 3rd accomplice Ferdinand Parago, who remains at large, were allegedly involved in a buy-bust operation-turned-shootout with members of the RPIOU, led by Police Inspector Joy Opalec, past 1 am on September 19. 

The 3 are supposedly involved in gunrunning activities. 

Au’s charges of attempted murder and physical injuries have been elevated to the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 139, the same court that will try Jaworski’s charges. 

The first hearing will be held on November 11.

Jaworski’s legal counsel, lawyer Richard Nethercott, maintained on Thursday that his client is innocent.

The lawyer previously showed a statement from the Jaworski family claiming that the police operation was merely a “hulidap” or a police extortion scheme. 

Nethercott said they “will avail of the appropriate legal remedies” for Jaworski’s charges.

He said they were able to post bail for Jaworski on Friday morning.– Rappler.com