Prominent Batangas personality among 6 charged in student-singer’s killing

At the wake of working student Charles Usi. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News SAN JOSE, Batangas — Police have filed murder charges against six suspects, including a prominent personality in Batangas, over the killing of 22-year-old working student and singer Charles Usi in San Jose, Batangas.

San Jose Police chief PMaj. Florencio Caisip Jr. confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the charges were filed with the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday.

The six respondents include the alleged mastermind, three individuals who reportedly monitored the victim, the gunman and the motorcycle driver involved in the attack.

Caisip said four of the suspects have been identified, while two remain listed as John Does.

He said investigators identified the suspects based on witness accounts and statements from people who allegedly heard relevant conversations.

Police are looking into a possible love triangle as the motive for the killing, but he declined to disclose further details.

“Basta po para sa kaligtasan ng lahat at sa privacy ng lahat, hanggang doon na lang po muna, sir, ang aking masasabi. Sabi ko nga, na-file na po yung kaso. Mag-antay na lang po tayo kung anong kalalabasan ng kaso,” he added.

(For safety and privacy, that is all I can disclose. A case has been filed, let’s just wait for it to progress.)

In a separate telephone interview, Batangas Police Provincial Office information officer and spokesperson PLt. Col. Philip Aguilar said investigators believe a prominent personality in Batangas planned the killing. 

The mastermind allegedly previously was in a relationship with Usi’s girlfriend, based on the woman’s statement to police. 

“Parang may malapit na tao yung suspect na nagbigay ng remarks na nakakatakot. Parang sinabi na warning sa kaniya na yung pakikipaghiwalay mo doon sa suspect ay dangerous, mapanganib,” Aguilar said, describing an alleged warning received by the victim’s girlfriend.

(It seems someone close to the suspect made remarks that were alarming. The warning was to the effect that it was dangerous to have broken up with the suspect.)

Usi was shot around 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, while riding a motorcycle driven by another person in San Jose, Batangas. 

The two were heading home from a gig in Lipa City when motorcycle-riding assailants opened fire.

Usi sustained five gunshot wounds and died in the attack.

He was a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student at Westmead International School and also worked as a singer.

His remains are scheduled to be buried on Tuesday.