Hello friends! 1. It strictly laid down these as the least requirement in evaluating the credibility of the claim of positive identification. 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). : Directed by Carlo J. Caparas. All of us who have cases in court, dont we realize that if your opponent has money, brace yourself. The NBI is the agency responsible in providing security and protection of witnesses admitted under WPP. Sulu in the eyes of my good friend Princess Jacel Kiram is a potential eco-tourism destination and fruit basket of the country. The jurisprudence mentioned above that the SC invoked has not been equally applied. Carpio testified for the defense during the trial. . Herbas and Alejo worked for the Abadillas as security guards. 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. 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. In a decision dated January 6, 2000, Paraaque Regional Trial Court Judge Amelita Tolentino convicted Webb and the co . In the Vizconde case, the SC does not accept conjecture as the basis of its decision. The lower courts, the Supreme Court said, held that "Webb was actually in Paraaque when the Vizconde killings took place". In their alibis, Joel de Jesus claimed he was driving his passenger tricycle in Fairview, Quezon City the whole day; for SPO2 Cesar Fortuna, he was at Camp Crame (headquarters of the Philippine National Police, PNP) for official business and his presence was also corroborated by two police officials whom he had transacted business with; for Augusto Santos, he was at the Jose Fabella Hospital in Sta. [18], In her decision, Tolentino described the testimony of defense witnesses as full of inconsistencies and biased. Jubilation by the citizenry greeted the report of his appointment. Vizconde should go after the national government. It was hard to tell which made up the truth and the lies. Vizconde massacre. Like Herbas, court records had also shown that Alejo has been receiving money and free accommodation from the Abadillas. 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. Defence of Alibi: In Vizconde case not admissible, in Abadilla case court acted on conjectures. TV-14. No. Allan (surname intentionally omitted), stepfather of a 16-year-old girl who was nearly raped by a neighbor, went with his daughter to the police station in San Jose, Batangas recently to file a complaint. This policewoman is either ignorant of the law or plain lazy. 4. 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. Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States. Villarama noted that the alleged Passport, Passenger Manifest of United Airlines Flight and United Airline ticket of accused Webb offered in evidence were mere photocopies of an alleged original, which were never presented. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. But big offenses, such as rape or attempted rape, should be filed with the police or the prosecutors office. To find out more, please click this link. Vizconde is clinging to the hope that even if this period ended Thursday, more concerned citizens will approach the National Bureau of Investigation to corroborate claims made by new witnesses that Webb was seen in BF Homes, Paraaque City, at the time of the murders. Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela into the dining room, she decided to step outside for a smoke. Evid. Tel: +(852) 2698 6339 [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. The public and the media continue to watch as the years go by . Connections Followed by The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! Alfaro said Estrellita was killed before Webb began to rape Carmela. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. 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. This site uses cookies. Their original conviction was capital punishment but their sentence was modified to life imprisonment when the death penalty was abolished. 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. But feeling uneasy, she decided to go up to the stockroom near Hubert's room to see what he was doing. So, some sectors are calling for Eleazars extension until after the May 2022 elections. Manila Times Special Report on the Vizconde Case, G.R. I went to the US to check on senator Webbs allegations I paid for my fare and accommodation, by the way and found that, indeed, Hubert was there when the Vizconde women were being butchered at their home in Paraaque. [22], On October 8, 2010, Webb filed an urgent motion for acquittal. 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. Police assets are often criminals themselves. [49], On January 4, 2011, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said suspect Joey Filart was spotted in the United States. [4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et al., G.R. A local elected official whos being groomed to run for a national office is being sold to the highest bidder by the politicians spouse. 150 likes. Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. InAbadilla case: Both the RTC and the CA did not apply this test of credibility of a witness before accepting the testimony of Alejo. People vs. Bello, G.R. 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. December 14, 2010:http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm They were victims of gory murder; Carmela was raped before she was killed. There was only one vital witness for the prosecution, Freddie Alejo. 132577 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, 1999, G.R. Vizconde Massacre: The hidden Truth. Webb wanted Alfaro, the then-girlfriend of one of the accused men, Peter Estrada, to join them because Estrellita Vizconde only allowed her daughter to go out and entertain female visitors. Massacre case in 1991 Webb was accused of raping Carmela Vizconde, 18, who was killed in her family's Paraaque home on June 30, 1991. With Romeo Vasquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel. 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. 808 bound for New York and who expressed doubt on whether Hubert Webb was his co-passenger in the trip; NBI medico-legal Dr. Prospero Cabanayan, Belen Dometita and Teofilo Minoza, two of the Vizconde maids; and Manciano Gatmaitan, an engineer. G/F, 52 Princess Margaret Road Published July 4, 2011 7:24pm. Based on my findings, I defended Hubert in my column and in my radio and TV programs. Former Paraaque policeman Gerardo Biong was found guilty as an accessory for burning bedsheets and tampering with other evidence in the crime. TRUTH OUT, HEALING BEGINS. The court also said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" on the details of the case. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. On April 28, 1995, National Bureau of Investigations asset and self-confessed drug user Jessica Alfaro came forward to police authorities to shed light on the killing of the Vizconde family. The film claims to have been based on new evidence from the then-ongoing trial. 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. Theyre projecting Digong as a feeble old man still seeking power. The filming location took place in the actual home of the Vizconde's where the massacre took place on June 30, 1991. (P.S. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! No. [11], Alfaro's testimony was corroborated by other witnesses including: Lolita Birrer, a former live-in partner of policeman Gerardo Biong, who narrated the manner of how Biong investigated and tried to cover up the crime. He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, Do not cheat him. She observed Hubert was quite irritated, uneasy, and walked to and fro inside his room. 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. 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. Those initially jailed for. The lower courts, however, reasoned that "Webb's alibi cannot stand against Alfaro's positive identification of him." This column will tackle various topics on the days it will come out: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It cautioned itself from accepting the testimonies of witnesses without applying these tests. Eleazar, a strict disciplinarian, is probably the only PNP chief who is loved and respected by the citizenry. Footnote: This article comprises the text of a statement issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission, AHRC-STM-266-2010, dated 21 December 2010. "[29] In general, the court said that Alfaro's story "lacks sense or suffers from inherent inconsistencies. Lorenzo delos Santos was acquitted due to lack of evidence, but the RTC, the CA and the SC ignored that fact that the same positive identification it invoked in convicting the Abadilla Five came from exactly the same testimonies that have been used to acquit Delos Santos. Sign up now! In this case, the existence of an earlier negative report on the NIIS record on file concerning the entry of appellant Webb into and his exit from the US on March 9, 1991, and October 26, 1992, respectively, had raised serious doubt on the veracity and accuracy of the subsequently issued second certification dated August 31, 1995 which is based merely on a computer print-out of his alleged entry on March 9, 1991, and departure on October 26, 1992. This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 03:37. Webb was among the nine people convicted by Paranaque Regional Trial Court Branch 274 Presiding Judge Amelita Tolentino in January 2000 for the killings. She said the same MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992. He also ordered the Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima to study the possibility of giving compensation to Webb and others. One of the important pieces of evidence, which I presented to the court later, was the copy of an invoice issued to Hubert Webb on coincidence of coincidences! When she could not produce the person, Sacaguing continued to press her saying that she might as well assume the role of her informant.. The passing away of Lauro Vizconde a few days ago does not close the sad chapter on the tragedy known as the Vizconde massacre. Asuncion, 27, was a constant playmate of Jennifer Vizconde, who was 7 years old when she was killed. [56][62][63][64] Dang claimed to have heard Dong Villadolid shouting at the top of his voice, saying they had raped and killed a certain Maria (presumed to be Maria Carmela Vizconde) and other persons. Lejano and Ventura also took turns raping Carmela, before finishing her off with numerous stabs. [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. [6], Alfaro's testimony coincided with the angle that was being explored by Supt. 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. 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. The Truth about Mendiola Massacre - Philippine True Crime Stories | Martin Rules. 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. True Crime. A second movie, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II May The Lord Be With Us, was released in 1994 and starred Vina Morales as Carmela and Joko Daz as an assailant. 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. [61], The findings also point to another set of suspects, namely Dong Villadolid and his brother Bing. Birrer said she had accompanied Biong to the Vizconde house to destroy the evidence and to retrieve Webb's jacket and the murder weapon. It was based on the rule of the minority and not the majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. He said that he heard Hubert Webb quarreling with another young looking customer. 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. From there she allegedly saw Lejano and Ventura take a knife from the kitchen drawer, while the rest of the gang acted as lookouts. I am not an NBI agent nor an NBI asset. Envy aliens who can avoid PH; pity Pinoys who are stuck here. 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 Alfaro said she was then having reservations when she first executed the first affidavit and held back vital information due to her natural reaction of mistrust. The prescription period does not matter to me, its just a date, he said. The San Jose police station eventually received and filed the complaint with the prosecutors office in Batangas City, only after my staff at Isumbong mo kay Tulfo told them Diazs arrogance would reach Camp Crame. So how can such accused penetrate a mind that has been made cynical by the rule drilled into his head that a defense of alibi is a hangmans noose in the face of a witness positively swearing. [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. On SPO2 Cesar Fortuna, the RTC, the CA and the SC, accepted the fact that he was at Camp Crame, but the SC affirmed the RTC and the CAs conjecture that it was not impossible for him to have gone to Katipunan road, Blue Ridge, which is relatively near Camp Crame when the shooting happened around 8.40 in the morning. Based on the infamous and seemingly never ending 1991 Vizconde murder case in the Philippines where a woman and her two children; a teen daughter who was also raped and a 6-year-old, were all viciously stabbed to death while the husband was away in America on business. [10] According to the footage of the trial, Alfaro had been able to identify all the defendants by their names. 3. [51] On March 18, Hubert Webb filed a lawsuit against Jessica Alfaro for false testimony at the Paraaque Prosecutor's Office. February 26, 2021. . [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. 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.Estrellita Vizconde, 49, suffered thirteen stab wounds; Maria Carmela Vizconde, 19, suffered seventeen stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed . It would be a serious miscarriage of justice and a demonstration of inequality before the law should jurisprudence not be applied equally. Alejo had been under the Abadillas custody and protection instead of that of the WPP of the government. Reporters jostled with Vizcondes relatives and friends in his garage, where Fr. On the contrary, it reopens it. But Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, who concurred with the decision, wrote strongly against basing judgement on conjectures: Facts decide cases. Am I dismayed by the decision of the (Supreme Court)? Aug 5, 2008. The trial began in August 1995 before Paraaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. As a host of the program that carries my surname, I and my all-female staff have handled complaints from citizens, concerning abusive or arrogant policemen and other government functionaries. No. [29], For the alibi to be established "the accused must prove by positive, clear, and satisfactory evidence that he was present at another place at the time of the perpetration of the crime, and that it was physically impossible for him to be at the scene of the crime". 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. Fax: +(852) 2698 6367, Copyright 2023 Asian Human Rights Commission. Indeed, her superior testified that she volunteered to play the role of a witness in the Vizconde killings when she could not produce a man she promised to the NBI. Nine years later, still no clarity on EDCA sites. [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre. 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. All rights are reserved. Rey and Jerry claimed they saw Webb playing basketball between the months of June and July 1991 during a league in BF Homes. Alejo confirmed these two (2) as the persons he saw from his guard post walking to and fro before the shooting incident. 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. Webb was the prime suspect of the infamous homicide that occurred on June 30, 1991. The Vizconde massacre made headlines in the Philippines in the '90s and started a trend in filmmaking. The ballistic test results also did not match to any of the firearms supposedly taken from the accused to the empty shells that were recovered at the crime scene. Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito. (Fuck you all! He alleged that Webb bought illegal drugs from him on two other occasions in May 1991. De Lima said they could still go after Filart and Ventura, as well as the Villadolid brothers, since the prescriptive period of 20 years for homicide does not apply to them because they were abroad. Similar to the accused in the Vizconde case, all the accused in the Abadilla case invoked their defence of alibi. The SCs decision in acquitting all the accused in the Vizconde case has fundamental contradictions to its earlier decision affirming the guilty verdict of the accused in the Abadilla case.

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