Alleged gang leader pleads not guilty to deaths of two Japanese in Palawan

January 10, 2018

An alleged gang leader pleaded not guilty of being involved in the double murder case of two Japanese in a Palawan court Wednesday.

Leovino Anicete, through the aid of his lawyer Jean Lou Aguilar, denied the crime he is being accused, which were the deaths of Itani Masaru and Arai Yoshihiru in May 2017 in  Culion, Palawan at the Palawan Regional Trial Court.

Anicete, after hiding for around six months, was arrested on December 30 at Pura, Tarlac following a joint man-hunt operation by national  and local police.

The pre-trial for Anicete and continuation of hearing for suspect Hiroyuki Nagahama and three others  are set on January 18-19 at the same venue.

The court said they invited personnel from the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame to attend the next hearing. DMS