Judge postpones arraignment of slain hostage-taker’s brother

By Pat C. Santos

10/04/2010

The arraignment of the brother of the slain hostage taker was ordered postponed yesterday by a Manila Trial Court (MTC) judge.

SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, brother of slain hostage-taker Capt. Rolando Mendoza, was blamed for triggering the change in mood of his brother that resulted in the killing of eight Hong Kong tourists last Aug. 23 at the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park in Manila.

MTC Branch 11 Judge Louie Miguel ordered the postponement of the disobedience case filed against Gregorio by the Manila Police District (MPD) after the legal counsel for the latter filed a motion to quash the information at the open court last Thursday.

“Judge Miguel has postponed the arraignment of Mendoza (Gregorio) after his counsel had asked him to defer the arraignment as they will file their motion to quash. It was granted in an open court,” according to lawyer Ma. Luisa Arugay, clerk of court of MTC Branch 11.

Judge Miguel granted 10 days within which to file the formal motion to set the oral argument scheduled on Sept. 28.

Gregorio was seen accompanied by his wife and three children during the hearing.

He was charged by Assistant City Prosecutor Rosario Pimson with serious disobedience under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code which recommended a P2,000 temporary bail at the Manila MTC Branch 16 last week.

Meanwhile, Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta who accompanied Gregorio would seek a dismissal of the case filed against him by the authorities.

“We are seeking the junking of criminal case against Mendoza because the Information filed against Gregorio is defective and the elements of the crime to constitute the offense are not present,” Acosta said.

The hostage taker started to behave wildly after his brother Gregorio agitated him by telling him not to give in because the police had not returned his service pistol.