Off-island witnesses eyed to testify on counterfeiting case

At least two of six court-appointed counsels representing defendants facing US currency counterfeiting charges have requested the courts’ permission to travel off-island to meet with Philippines-based witnesses, whose testimonies could be crucial to the case.

Atty. Danilo T. Aguilar, counsel for defendant Romeo Gumin Montoya has filed a motion to depose two witnesses in Manila, Philippines, in the event that they are unable to travel to the CNMI for the scheduled trial date.

Two witnesses are being eyed to take the stand during Mr. Montoya’s trial, including his sister Perla Valdepenas and Emma R. Cabigting, an alleged illegal recruiter, partly responsible for bringing six of the counterfeiting defendants on Commonwealth soil.

Ms. Valdepenas is reportedly prepared to provide testimony that is expected to negate guilt and could possibly acquit the counterfeiting charges against Mr. Montoya, according to Mr. Aguilar.

She, however, does not have the financial means to purchase a ticket and to sustain herself should she fly to Saipan for the court trial.

Ms. Cabigting, who is currently being held at the National Bureau of Investigation Jail in Manila, is also reportedly willing to attest that Mr. Montoya had no knowledge the money he received from the recruiter was counterfeit.

Ms. Cabigting was arrested and detained for Estafa and Syndicated Illegal Recruitment last March 13, 2001 before the Office of the Inquest Prosecutor in Caloocan City, with no bail recommended.

Meanwhile, Mr. Montoya also filed before the US District Court a motion to depose defense witnesses in foreign jurisdiction, further requesting that the federal government shoulder the payment of expenses in connection with proposed deposition since the defendant is an indigent.

Mr. Montoya is only one of five other defendants who face possible jail sentences if found guilty of counterfeiting US currency.

He and a group of Filipinos last January 24, 2001 arrived on Saipan, where they were discovered by immigration officers to be in possession of counterfeit greenback.

They were then charged with counterfeiting before the Superior Court.

Last March 7, 2001, the group was indicted by the federal grand jury with the same charges, pleading not guilty to the accusations.

Aside from Mr. Montoya, the six indicted for counterfeiting include Rolando Hilongo Lambio, Nelia Baradi Florendo, Archie Barnatcha Macapagal, Ronalia De Guzman Navarro, and Thelma Loqueno Tejano.

Federal grand jury trials for Ms. Tejano and Ms. Navarro have been set for April 30 at 9am, to be followed by Mr. Montoya and Mr. Lambio on May 14, at 9am, while Ms. Florendo and Ms. Macapagal have been scheduled for May 7, at 9am.