the truth about vizconde massacre

No. Thus, her testimony could not be admitted. [165] The discrepancies between a sworn statement and testimony in court do not outrightly justify the acquittal of an accused,[166] as testimonial evidence carries more weight than an affidavit. [10] According to the footage of the trial, Alfaro had been able to identify all the defendants by their names. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday said the government task force re-investigating the 1991 Vizconde massacre case has found another witness and was convincing him to come out in public and Pitong, an electrician who since 1982, already knew the Webb family claimed he saw a laundry woman wash a bloodied T-shirt on the morning of the crime. Secondly, in the Abadilla case the SC held that the defense of alibi is weak, but in the Vizconde case it held that not all denials and alibis should be regarded as fabricated. Hubert Jeffrey Webb sought for an acquittal after he had found out that the NBI could no longer produce the DNA specimen extracted from the cadaver of the rape victim. Jennifer woke up and, seeing Webb violating her sister, jumped on him and bit him. After she finished the laundry, she went to the servant's quarters. June 30, 1991 for a bicycle he bought from a store in Orange County, Los Angeles, California. A local elected official whos being groomed to run for a national office is being sold to the highest bidder by the politicians spouse. [13][14], Other prosecution witnesses were: Carlos J. Cristobal who alleged that on March 9, 1991, he was a passenger of United Airlines Flight No. Di naman ako puwede magtrabaho don (If that's the case, then I should have had a salary. But the grieving father couldn't distinguish the truth from the lies. No. Firstly, the SC held Alfaro was not a credible witness. With Romeo Vasquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel. Make a difference. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. April 28, 1995 Jessica Alfaro presents herself as a witness and accuses Hubert Webb. [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre. "[29], The court held that security guard Normal E. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. "[29] In general, the court said that Alfaro's story "lacks sense or suffers from inherent inconsistencies. In the Vizconde case, the SC does not accept conjecture as the basis of its decision. G.R. Manila Times Special Report on the Vizconde Case, G.R. InVizconde case: The SC applied two tests in rejecting the positive identification of Alfaro: firstly, the credibility of a witness; secondly, the testimony should be believable, not inherently contrived. She cited the testimony of Alex del Toro, husband of Webb's relative, who said he hired Hubert Webb as an employee at his pesticide company in California. One of the justices, Roberto Abad, who dissented the majority decision affirming the guilty verdict wrote: the public prosecutor chose instead to allow the Abadillas, who had an interest in Alejos testimony, to make him dependent on them for his livelihood at least for the duration of the trial of the case. I told my family that I did my best. VIZCONDE MASSACRE: 20 YEARS, TWO FACES OF JUSTICE Report by Maki Pulido It is one of the most controversial cases in the country's history, the most shocking crime in the 90s - the Vizconde Massacre. Methinks one year would give Eleazar ample time impose his brand of discipline on one of the most undisciplined police forces in the world. The jurisprudence mentioned above that the SC invoked has not been equally applied. Vizconde said his quest for justice was continuing despite the end of the prescription period for the prosecution of his familys killers. This column will tackle various topics on the days it will come out: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Since I was introduced to The STAR readers in the front page, Ill hit the ground running. A news report on Thursday in Business Mirror that headlined Senate grills defense brass on plans for EDCA expansion, sites raised much curiosity for its sheer lack of detailed information. Vizconde massacre. The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for almost four years, until 1995 when eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, to shed light on the massacre. [12] (Under Philippine law, generally, alibi is the weakest defense, especially where there is direct testimony of an eyewitness, duly corroborated by another. vs. Raul de Leon et. Alfaro could not possibly prove the relationship between Hubert and Carmela, as they were strangers to each other, and Alfaro also could not have possibly identified the other accused because all of them were strangers to her. She did not know nor met any of them. Eh di sana may sweldo ako. Sulu in the eyes of my good friend Princess Jacel Kiram is a potential eco-tourism destination and fruit basket of the country. [2] Alfaro said that policeman Gerardo Biong "was instructed by Webb, in my presence, to take care of the house where the incident happened". Alfaro said that when she went back to the house, she saw the bodies of Estrellita and Jennifer on the bed and Webb raping Carmela on the floor. So, some sectors are calling for Eleazars extension until after the May 2022 elections. Justo Cabanacan, the security supervisor of the gated community, said that he saw Webb enter the gated community, although he did not record Webb entering in his log book. [17], On January 6, 2000, Judge Tolentino rendered her decision, finding Hubert Webb, Peter Estrada, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Antonio Lejano II and Miguel Rodriguez guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape with homicide. This is one of the most controversial and widely publicised massacre cases because of the involvement of the son of a former Philippine Senator, Freddie Webb; and six others from a wealthy family background similar to that of the accused. The court also said that if Webb was in the U.S. when the crime was committed, the Alfaro's testimony would not hold together: "Without it, the evidence against the others must necessarily fall. On the contrary, it reopens it. He also claimed to have heard Hubert shout, Putang ina nyo! I incurred the ire of the citizenry, including some of my fellow columnists in theInquirer,for my defense of Hubert. [6], Alfaro's testimony coincided with the angle that was being explored by Supt. It was also not true that there was no showing that he (Alejo) was actuated by improper motive to testify falsely against the accused because the defence had since been challenging his credibility during the trial. Former Paraaque City cop Gerardo Biong walked free from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City after serving a 12-year sentence. Remember that death is the ultimate equalizer. Envy aliens who can avoid PH; pity Pinoys who are stuck here. due to "overwhelming evidence that showed Webb and the other accused had conspired to rape Carmela and, in the process, kill her and the rest of the family." I will continue to play that role as long as I live. In rejecting questions to Alejos credibility, the SC affirmed the CAs ruling that the credible testimony of a lone witness(es) assumes more weight when there is no showing that he was actuated by improper motive to testify falsely against the accused, as in the case of Freddie Alejo. The court considered the accused's "lack of interest in having such test done" in which they concluded that the state "cannot be deemed put on reasonable notice that it would be required to produce the semen specimen at some future time".[29]. LYN RILLON. The Truth about Mendiola Massacre - Philippine True Crime Stories | Martin Rules. The AHRC urges the SC to thoroughly review the pending final appeal of the accused in the Abadilla case. But I could not work there), Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman. Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde. Knowing this, I cannot but hesitate to swallow everything that Alejo said at the trial. X' key to real perpetrators of Vizconde murders? But feeling uneasy, she decided to go up to the stockroom near Hubert's room to see what he was doing. Among the defense witnesses was Artemio Sacaguing, a former, now deceased NBI official who testified that Alfaro was an NBI asset who only volunteered to assume the role of the eyewitness when she could not produce the actual witness to the Vizconde killings. About the Show; You May Also Like . Policewoman Diaz even insulted Allan, saying he had no right to file the attempted rape complaint on behalf of the girl, because he was only the stepfather. On October 1, 1996, Judge Amelita Tolentino admitted only 10 of the 142 pieces of evidence the defense presented. I did that hoping to make them have second thoughts about doing so,.There is no justice in the Philippines. The court rejected his testimony because he was a disgruntled witness. After 15 years behind bars, Hubert Webb and 5 others in the Vizconde massacre case (Manila-Philippines) were released from prison on Tuesday. 24, Rule 134, R. The majority of the justices also rejected as conjecture the argument of one of the dissenting justices, Martin Villarama Jr., that it would not have been impossible during the interregnum for Webb to travel back to the country and again fly to the US several times considering that the travel time on board an airline from the Philippines to San Francisco, and from San Francisco to the Philippines takes only about twelve (12) to fourteen (14) hours. The SC, however, held that by failing to prove the existence of a relationship between Hubert and Carmela; and that the lover that Alfaro claimed that Carmela had met did not come forward in public or in court, her testimonies about the accused and the victims were like a piece of jigsaw puzzle trimmed to fit into the shape on the board but does not belong because it clashes with the surrounding pieces and the lover was a mere ghost of the imagination of Alfaro, the woman who made a living informing on criminals. The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. We have ruled that accused-appellant may not invoke the acquittal of the other conspirators to merit the reversal of his conviction for murder. The politician would only be allowed by the spouse to run if the party that this politician will join can come up with a big amount for their family. Episode on July 5, 2011 Tuesday after Saksi! The public and the media continue to watch as the years go by . 1 newspaper in terms of circulation and readership. De Lima said the evidence that showed Webb and any of the co-accused were in the country came from the magnetic reel tape (MRT) of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) where all records of incoming and outgoing passengers from the Philippines are recorded. Francisco Kit Hernandez celebrated Mass. The trial of the case having been long concluded, the requirements of the law may have been satisfied, but not the demands of justice. The 3 sets of suspects are: the Barroso Akyat-Bahay gang; the group of construction workers with engineer Danilo Agwas tagged as mastermind; SPO3 Angel Viaje, PO3 Rodolfo Colado, Ruben Pineda; and, the group of Hubert Webb. To support this, Webb presented a Certification issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service of August 31, 1995 confirming that his entry into that country was recorded. All rights are reserved. The SC required this test as necessary before a testimony of positive identification could be accepted as credible and with merit. I found this As of yesterday, police had arrested and filed criminal charges against six fraternity members suspected to have beaten to death John Matthew Salilig in a twisted concept ofbrotherhood. They are Lenido Lumanog, Augusto Santos, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Cesar Fortuna, Rameses de Jesus and Joel de Jesus. 176389 / G.R. Sison was ordered to desist from further investigating that angle by then Philippine National Police Capital Region Commander Marino Filart after six members of akyat bahay gang (burglars) were arrested by Regional Police Unit in October 1991. TV-14. This contradicted Hubert Webb's claim that he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to October 27, 1992. I will kill you, brandishing a shiny revolver. : Directed by Carlo J. Caparas. For there is no law requiring that the testimony of a simple [sic] witness should be corroborated for it to be accorded full faith and credit. The details of how they were killed were grim. White, on the other hand, said he saw the three cars enter the subdivision on the night of June 29, as Alfaro had testified; White also testified that policeman Gerardo Biong was the first to arrive at the crime scene. Among those present were former Vice President Teofisto Guingona; Arsenio Boy Evangelista, father of carjack victim Venson Evangelista; Dacer-Corbito witness Cezar Mancao and his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio; and members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). I am not an NBI agent nor an NBI asset. Published July 4, 2011 7:24pm. By providing an email address. Alfaro, upon explaining on how the house was ransacked, (the Paraaque police had earlier blamed house robbers as suspects), said that Ventura was looking for the front-door key and the car key. When we die, that is when we will be given the whole truth May the Lord console you in all your afflictions, The priest said. She took advantage of her familiarity with these details to include in her testimony. After the shooting, he could have easily and quickly transferred to Camp Crame between 9:00 and 9:30 in the morning. De Lima also said seven new witnesses claimed they saw Webb in the country during the months of April, May and June 1991. Tel: +(852) 2698 6339 al, 1995, G.R. In a decision dated January 6, 2000, Paraaque Regional Trial Court Judge Amelita Tolentino convicted Webb and the co . "[29], The court maintained that for a person to be convicted there should not be "a reasonable, lingering doubt as to his guilt." ABADILLA MURDER CASE: This case is about the murder of Rolando Abadilla, a police colonel during Marcos regime, at 8:30 on June 13, 1996 at the Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. De Lima said it was possible that it was Black Maria who was in the Vizconde home and not Jessica Alfaro, the NBI's star witness during the trial. Acting solely on Alfaros testimony, the Department of Justice (DoJ) filed charges of rape with homicide against the eight accused on August 1995. Guillermo Lorenzo Guilor Eleazar, recently appointed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), bows out on Nov. 13 this year when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. No. But her parents did not allow her to go. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. The lead suspect was Hubert Webb whose father, Freddie Webb was famous as an actor, former basketball player, and Paraaque congressman at the time of the murders. The NBI is a special investigating body attached to the DoJ. The SCs decision affirming the guilty verdict by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City on the Abadilla Five, the five men accused in the murder of police colonel Rolando Abadilla on June 13, 1996, is already the subject of a final appeal filed on October 8, 2010. Only minor cases, like oral defamation and quarrel between neighbors, are handled by the barangay. I will be conferring with my lawyers about my future moves.. As already mentioned, the SC concluded Alfaro to be not a credible witness because she did not meet these two criteria. Former NBI official Pedro Rivera however dismissed as lies the testimony of Sacaguing saying that Agent Sacaguing had a record of notoriety in the NBI which prompted his transfer to remote places of assignment until his early retirement. CONCLUSION: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by this unequal application of jurisprudence by the SC on the Abadilla murder and the Vizconde massacre. Police assets are often criminals themselves. All of these had been applied in acquitting the accused in the Vizconde case, which is contradictory to its earlier decision affirming the conviction of the Abadilla Five. Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is questionable as it appears to be undemocratic. Nos. Asuncion, 27, was a constant playmate of Jennifer Vizconde, who was 7 years old when she was killed. Nephews had posted a banner declaring "Truth prevails 20 years after" and demanding "Final justice for the Vizconde massacre victims," in apparent reference to government probers' claims . Alfaro accused Hubert Webb, son of former senator Freddie Webb, as the mastermind of the massacre, along with five other men, all coming from prominent families. The court said that Alfaro was not a credible witness and that her "story of what she personally saw must be believable, not inherently contrived". We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. The case remained unsolved for almost four years until eyewitness, Jessica Alfaro Testified that Hubert Webb is the lead suspect and responsible of the crime committed. [8] If, on examination, the DNA of the subject specimen does not belong to Webb, then he did not rape Carmela. [29] But in the Abadilla case, the relatives and friends are not an impartial witness to corroborate the defence of alibi of the accused. [52] On June 14, 2011, Hubert Webb filed a P180,000 compensation claim for "unlawful conviction" for the Vizconde massacre. ", Jessica Alfaro: Alfaro's e-mail from abroad read. Alfaro claimed that Hubert was angry at Carmela thus raping and murdering her, her younger sister and her mother, to supposedly revenge her unfaithfulness to him. It is that simple. On April this year, the Webbs filed an urgent motion to acquit when they found out that the NBI no longer has custody of the specimen that was taken from the body of the rape victim, Carmela Visconde. InAbadilla case: The SC affirmed the CAs judgement as inconclusive the use of forensic evidence, for example, the fingerprints and ballistic test results, showing that none of the five accused had their fingerprints match to those extracted from the murder victims car. Equal protection of the law is fundamental in the countrys Constitution. The Vizconde massacre, dubbed the crime of the 20th century, was my defining moment as a columnist and defender of the oppressed and those wrongfully accused. [65] One team uncovered Black Maria, a woman whom one witness said had told him she was with Webb's group inside the Vizconde home and saw the crime take place. Firstly, like Alfaro, Alejo also received money and free accommodation from the persons who had interest in his testimony. Alfaro, who had "practically lived" at the NBI's offices, would have been able to hear about the details, and gain access to the documents, without difficulty. Person of interest in hazing case of Adamson student found dead, Jeepney phaseout: Its more than just new vehicles, Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Pagcor chair Genuino of graft, House energy committee chair Arroyo bats for cheap electricity, LIVE UPDATES: Face-to-face classes, work suspended as transport strike looms, vivo announces PHP 1,000 price drop on vivo V25e, Kickstart summer with vivos hot smartphone deals this 3.3, Over 24,000 hectares of coral reef at risk following Mindoro oil spill, Frat members planned to burn Adamson hazing victims body police | INQToday, Joey de Leon laughs off Eat Bulaga rebranding rumors; Tito Sotto meets up with show producer Tony Tuviera, LIST: LGUs, schools suspend face-to-face classes, work as transport strike looms, NBA: Devin Booker, Suns cruise past Bulls in second half. People cried for justice for the Vizcondes and one of the suspects was Hubert Webb, son of then Paraaque congressman Freddie Webb, who later became a senator. 5. The Vizconde murder case, colloquially known as the Vizconde massacre, was the multiple homicide of members of the Vizconde family on June 30, 1991 at their residence at 80 Vinzons Street, BF Homes, Paraaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Those initially jailed for. Herbas and Alejo worked for the Abadillas as security guards. He also ordered the Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima to study the possibility of giving compensation to Webb and others. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Alfaro had testified that she knew the suspects and was at the Vizconde house when the crime was committed. He then hurled the little girl to a wall and started stabbing her. [29], The court said that "among the accused, Webb presented the strongest alibi". The trial began in August 1995 before Paraaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. Webbs co-accused, Antonio Lejano, is a son of a known singer and celebrity. [9] They were acquitted by a trial judge in September 1993 for insufficient evidence.[9]. Webb had presented the alibi that he was in the United States when the crime was committed, but he was still found guilty by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court. My program is the originalsumbungan ng bayan sa radyo(roughly, citizens complaint center on radio). 176864), it became one of the most sensational cases in the Philippines, being described as a "trial of the century". She said that when she entered Hubert's room, she saw him wearing only his pants, awake and smoking in bed. [12] On July 24, 1997, the Supreme Court noted that Tolentino erred when she refused to admit the 132 pieces of evidence presented by the defense, although these were later admitted in court through an order issued by Tolentino.[12][16]. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. He said that he heard Hubert Webb quarreling with another young looking customer. [2][20], The court ruled that the Paraaque RTC was correct in sentencing Webb et al. Inconsistencies: In Vizconde case damages credibility, in Abadilla case does not. Hopefully, if they will surface, public pressure will snowball and I will finally get the justice I am looking for, he said. 3. Webbs son, Hubert Jeffrey, is also the brother of a television host, Pinky, in one of the largest television networks in the country. It cannot be coached or allured by a promise of reward or financial support. Anyone can be paid! VIZCONDE MASSACRE CASE: This case is about the gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old woman, the murder of her 7-year-old sister and their mother on June 30, 1991 at their home in Paranaque City, Metro Manila. Powered by, Appendix: Case analysis: Supreme Courts rulings on Vizconde and Abadilla cases are contradictory, http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm, http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/september2010/182555.htm, http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-FinalAppealPetition.pdf, http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-CAdecision.pdf. Tolentino also found it hard to believe that Webb was working with a pesticide company because he was asthmatic and allergic to various substances. Democrito Barcenas, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City president and regional coordinator of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG): I think that most of the justices are right in their decision. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! [19], The Court of Appeals' Third Division voted 32 to deny Webb's motion for reconsideration and upheld the ruling of Judge Tolentino on December 16, 2005. [46], President Benigno Aquino III ordered the law enforcement agencies to re-investigate the case six months before the prescription period lapses. The SC did not apply the two tests it invoked on the Vizconde case before accepting the positive identification of Alejo as credible, and him as a credible witness. [58] George, a drug dealer, claimed he was introduced to Webb by former SPO1 Gerardo Biong sometime in April 1991 where the young Webb allegedly purchased from him 10grams of shabu worth P10,000. On January 4, 2000, the Regional Trial Court of Paranaque City rendered its judgement finding all the accused guilty as charged imposing a penalty of life imprisonment. InVizconde case: The majority of the justices strongly argued against relying on conjectures on deciding the case, particularly on the claim that Hubert Jeffrey could have been in the Philippines, and not in the U.S., when the crime happened. Jennifer Diaz, chief of the women and childrens desk, told Allan to file the complaint with the barangay where they reside.

Obituaries And Funeral Notices Near Salt Lake City, Ut, The Woman Question The Victorian Debate About Gender, Safest Place To Live In Palm Bay, Florida, The Monitor Mcallen, Tx Obituaries, Articles T