MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed murder charges against Emilio Zosa and four co-accused in connection with the 2017 ambush that killed a man and injured several others in Sta. Margarita, Samar.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the DOJ said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon filed the criminal information before the trial court, which received the case on March 19, 2026.
Also named as accused were Arturo Deborborn, Ricky Calagos, Reymart Antivo, and Sofronio Medoranda.
Prosecutors said the charge of murder was filed after finding that the evidence on record met the required threshold to proceed to trial under DOJ standards.
The case stemmed from the July 23, 2017 ambush that resulted in the death of Enrique Manas Sr. and left other victims seriously injured.
The filing implemented a Jan. 16, 2025 resolution issued by then Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directing prosecutors to elevate the case to court.
With the filing of the information, the DOJ said the case has formally moved beyond the preliminary investigation stage and into judicial proceedings, where the court will determine the criminal liability of the accused.
Nearly nine years after the attack, the development clears the way for trial, during which the accused will be required to answer the charges.
The Manas family, in a statement, welcomed the filing of the case and called for its swift and uninterrupted prosecution.
