SHERNAN MARK DUERME KILLING UPDATE: MURDER CHARGES FILED VS. 3 COUSINS

The M’lang police have filed murder charges before the provincial prosecutor’s office against three teens, reportedly cousins, who were believed to have conspired in killing Lepaga high school teacher Shernan Mark Duerme last month.

Named as main suspects in the killing of Duerme were John Bandila, 18, Jojie Bandila, 17, both students, and another cousin, Saidamen Mabang, 17, an out-of-school youth.

All three youths have fled their homes in Gaunan, M’lang and are believed to be hiding with relatives in nearby Maguindanao province.

M’lang Mayor Lito Pinol said the charges were filed Jan. 23 before the provincial prosecutor’s office and under the law, the suspects will be formally asked to answer the charges against them through their lawyers.

“Since the filing of the case is what they call “regular filing”, they will be asked to submit their answer to the charges and only when the prosecutors have established strong evidence and prima facie will the Warrants of Arrest be issued against them by the Court,” Mayor Lito Pinol said.

Duerme was shot and killed while he was on board his motorcycle in Barangay Buayan, M’lang Jan. 16.

Two of the suspects are reportedly students of Duerme in Lepaga high school who were angered by the failing grades that the teacher gave them.

One of the suspects is reportedly an honor student.

Mayor Pinol said that once the warrants of arrest are issued, he will coordinate with the Maguindanao police for the arrest of the killers.