Suspect in doctor’s killing to submit counter-affidavit

By Paulo DS Papa

THE Naga City District Office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has temporarily released the suspect in the murder of Dr. Rajean Monnette Romualdez from its custody.

It should be recalled, Raymart Martinez, the suspect in the case, signed a waiver requesting protection under the bureau’s custody after surrendering on Wednesday, February 19, in Matnog, Sorsogon.

Days after his surrender, the NBI and the Philippine National Police recommended to the City Prosecutor’s Office that he be charged with murder. The office then evaluated the documents and evidence linking the suspect directly to the killing.

In an interview, NBI Senior Agent Robert Joey Ajero said that Martinez received a subpoena from the prosecutor’s office on March 12, requiring him to submit his counter-affidavit.

Ajero added that Martinez and his lawyer, a certain Atty. Albina, requested his temporary release from the Bureau so he could secure legal remedies. He also emphasized that the NBI has no authority to prevent the suspect from leaving their facility to obtain legal documents, despite his initial request to remain in their custody.

Martinez, who volun-tarily surrendered without an arrest warrant, is expected to submit the necessary documents for his affidavit on Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. The NBI agent noted that the prosecutor may resolve the case soon after the suspect submits his counter-affidavit.

Following the discovery of Romualdez’s lifeless body along Princeton Street, Monterey Village, Barangay Concepcion Pequeña, on the afternoon of February 16, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion offered a ₱200,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Noel De Luna, Legacion’s political rival in the congressional race for the third district of Camarines Sur, pledged ₱1 million to anyone who could assist authorities in locating Martinez.

However, after the suspect’s surrender, the city government cancelled the reward, as confirmed by City Administrator Joselito Del Rosario during a separate inquiry.

Ajero admitted that De Luna had indeed offered the reward money to the NBI agents who took the suspect into custody, but they declined.