The City Prosecutor's Office has dismissed the criminal complaint against the suspect in a murder in August last year in Dumaguete City.

Cleared of the charge was Jimmy Laranjo, who was linked to the killing on Aug. 25, 2006 of Jose Zamora Paligsa whose slay was part of a series of "vigilante" type killings by motorcycle-riding assailants who cover their faces with bonnets.

Records showed that Paligsa was shot several times in front of the Dumaguete Auto Parts Commercial Inc., by a gunman who immediately boarded a motorbike driven by another man to escape. The victim's family, assisted by counsel Raymund Mercado, presented several witnesses they identified as having the same physical features of "Kikid," which is the childhood nickname of Paligsa.

The Prosecutor's Office ruled however, that the identification of the respondent as the perpetrator of the crime appears to be doubtful, if not mere afterthought.

The likelihood of wrong identification in this case may not altogether be precluded thereby negating the finding of probable cause for the crime, prosecutors added.*RG

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