the truth about vizconde massacre

[29], In his dissenting opinion, Justice Villarama argued that the claim of Webb that he could not have committed the crime because he left for the United States on March 9, 1991, and returned to the Philippines only on October 26, 1992, was correctly rejected by the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals. Lauro Vizconde on Thursday marks the 20th anniversary of the murders of his wife and two daughters at his residence in BF Homes, Paraaque City. [54] He was laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park Sucat on February 17. 1 newspaper in terms of circulation and readership. Make a difference. It was based on the rule of the minority and not the majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. The most significant topic that Ive ever written about and which I personally got involved in was the Vizconde massacre. 150 likes. Former Paraaque policeman Gerardo Biong was found guilty as an accessory for burning bedsheets and tampering with other evidence in the crime. G.R. By her account, after a drug session with the group, Webb allegedly had hatched his plan to rape Carmela Vizconde. The court noted the inconsistency between Alfaro's testimony of Webb being Carmela's boyfriend, who had no reason in breaking the glass panel of the house's front door to enter the house; Alfaro said that Webb "picked up some stone and, out of the blue, hurled it at the glass-paneled front door". Early Thursday, Lauro Vizconde went to Holy Cross Memorial Park and laid bouquets of roses on the tombs of his wife and daughters. In a 38-page strongly-worded decision promulgated on Tuesday, the . Apart from Alejo, earlier there was another witness, Merlito Herbas. I expected this decision because since the start, I knew that Jessica Alfaro was not entirely telling the truth. The AHRC urges the SC to thoroughly review the pending final appeal of the accused in the Abadilla case. On the acquittal of Lorenzo delos Santos, the accused whom Alejo had also positively identified, it ruled that his acquittal did not damage Alejos credibility; and his positive identification of the accused. Manila Times Special Report on the Vizconde Case, G.R. Once again, the SCs applications of jurisprudence on the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trial have not been equally applied. Thus the SC decision on the Vizconde massacre is flawed, Paguia averred, citing a portion of Fortich v. Corona, 312 SCRA 751, at 758 where the SC itself ruled that unless the minimum number of EIGHT votes for a majority is attained there is no decision to speak of, therefore the release order of the Webb group should not have been signed. She did not know nor met any of them. I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. Theyre projecting Digong as a feeble old man still seeking power. [2] Tolentino said the certificates issued by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration "could have easily been obtained by the powerful Webb family". Justice Villarama argued that a photocopy of Webbs passport in court to support his alibi and the testimonies of witnesses, mostly his relatives and friends, could not be given merit, by cautioning his fellow justices that it can be gleaned from the fact that passports and plane tickets indicating dates of arrival and departure do not necessarily prove that the very same person actually took the flight and added that indeed, alibi cannot be sustained where it is not only without credible corroboration, but also where it does not, on its face, demonstrate the physical impossibility of the accuseds presence at the place and time of the commission of the crime. Yes, but what can I do (?). It would be a serious miscarriage of justice and a demonstration of inequality before the law should jurisprudence not be applied equally. This is one of the most controversial and widely publicised massacre cases because of the involvement of the son of a former Philippine . 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. [12] (Under Philippine law, generally, alibi is the weakest defense, especially where there is direct testimony of an eyewitness, duly corroborated by another. Includes gruesome real photos from the crime scene. Former Paraaque City cop Gerardo Biong walked free from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City after serving a 12-year sentence. The massacre and surrounding events were depicted in the 1993 film The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help Us!) Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States. [57] The witnesses include an electrician, a drug dealer, a couple of neighborhood basketball players, a hairdresser and a village security guard. "[29], The court held that security guard Normal E. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. G.R. Hello friends! Lauro Vizconde the husband of Estrellita and father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United State on business when the murders took place. No. Cruz, Manila accompanying his brother-in-law, Jonas Padel Ayhon, whose wife had just given birth; and Rameses de Jesus and Lenido Lumanog had just left Manila for Mabalacat, Pampanga where they stayed until the evening of June 14. 176864. Aug 5, 2008. Besides the horror itself, the suspected perpetrators included high-society figures. 132577 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, 1999, G.R. Im still hoping for a miracle to happen. The CA in effect crafted and formulated the conjectures giving them the appreciation similar to facts offered as evidence where it had based the judgment. Both the SC and the CA affirmed the RTCs sentence of guilty verdict without applying the test on the credibility of a witness as they did in Vizconde case. No two persons have the same DNA fingerprint, with the exception of identical twins. 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. I was a barbarian in my college years at the University of the Philippines. It strictly laid down these as the least requirement in evaluating the credibility of the claim of positive identification. He adds, this Court takes judicial notice of reported irregularities and tampering of passports in the years prior to the recent issuance by the Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) of machine-readable passports. The Vizconde massacre made headlines in the Philippines in the '90s and started a trend in filmmaking. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Choose Gods endless kind of love., Hernandez also reminded Vizconde that he now had three saints in Heaven.. 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. It was hard to tell which made up the truth and the lies. Secondly, the SC affirmed the CAs assertion that Alejo was a credible witness ignoring the questions to his credibility by arguing that: positive and unequivocal declaration is sufficient to support a conviction for murder against appellants. 185123/G.R. Knowing this, I cannot but hesitate to swallow everything that Alejo said at the trial. All rights are reserved. Abadilla Case Decision from the Court of Appeals:http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-CAdecision.pdf. Needless to say, were unpopular with the PNP and other government agencies that citizens transact business with. The term dirty politics is appropriate for that kind of set-up. Webb was among the nine people convicted by Paranaque Regional Trial Court Branch 274 Presiding Judge Amelita Tolentino in January 2000 for the killings. The SC identified the inconsistencies and the incredible facts in Alfaros testimony: her claim that Hubert Jeffrey Webb and Carmela Vizconde had a relationship; that Carmela had another lover whom she met just before Hubert came to her home and that she saw in open the five other accused taking turns in raping Carmela. 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. 1. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. Seven justices based its decision on the following points: Webb, citing Brady v. Maryland, said "that he is entitled to outright acquittal on the ground of violation of his right to due process given the States failure to produce on order of the Court either by negligence or willful suppression the semen specimen taken from Carmela." [6][7][8] The suspects said they were tortured and forced to confess to the crime before they were presented by Filart to the media. 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. Secondly, Alfaros quality as a witness and her inconsistent, if not inherently unbelievable, testimony cannot be the positive identification that jurisprudence acknowledges as sufficient. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption(VACC) asked Justice Antonio Carpio and his cousin Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to take a leave while the case is being decided to avoid undue influence on the court's decision. The court ruled that Alfaro was "a stool pigeon, one who earned her living by fraternizing with criminals so she could squeal on them to her NBI handlers." The SC acquitted all the accused, reversing and dismissing the guilty verdict of the RTC and the CA. Massacre era. Indeed, the testimony of a single witness, when positive and credible, is sufficient to support a conviction even for murder. The Vizconde Massacre. It took the trial and appeal process in this case fifteen years. Herbas and Alejo worked for the Abadillas as security guards. 182555/G.R. I got involved in the case after Webb told me Hubert, whose name was slowly cropping up in news reports as a prime suspect, was in the United States when the dastardly crime happened. Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito. (Fuck you all! Like the accused in the Vizconde case and for any other cases for that matter, the accused in the Abadilla murder case also deserve equal protection of the law. But the grieving father couldn't distinguish the truth from the lies. 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. No. Pray to them. 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. [49], On January 4, 2011, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said suspect Joey Filart was spotted in the United States. Hell never return to the Philippines, said the Thai tourist whose cash was filched by Manila airport security personnel. I stood my ground because I had all the facts in my hand. Based on my findings, I defended Hubert in my column and in my radio and TV programs. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! 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. No. It defended the attack on Alejos credibility, for example, his inconsistencies on the number of gunmen, arguing that this had already been explained by Alejo during cross-examination by correcting his earlier statement and that the affidavits, being ex-parte, are almost always incomplete and often inaccurate, but do not really detract from the credibility of witnesses. May I invite you to watch?). For almost two decades, Filipinos have been mystified by the brutal 1991 killing of a mother and her two daughters. 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. 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 that, contrary to his alibi, released murder convict Hubert Webb never left the country. Since I was introduced to The STAR readers in the front page, Ill hit the ground running. Herbas had testified for the defence instead of the prosecution when the Abadilla did not fulfil his promise to give him (Herbas) exactly the same salary he was receiving and when he was told that he would no longer be presented as witness because the testimony of Alejo would be sufficient. 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. Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. June 30, 1991 for a bicycle he bought from a store in Orange County, Los Angeles, California. The prescription period does not matter to me, its just a date, he said. [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. al., 2010, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vizconde_murders&oldid=1138122178, Loss of DNA evidence not a ground for outright acquittal. 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. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. For those who havent heard aboutIsumbong, the public service program started at Radyo Veritas on June 1, 1991. In a decision dated January 6, 2000, Paraaque Regional Trial Court Judge Amelita Tolentino convicted Webb and the co . He alleged that Webb bought illegal drugs from him on two other occasions in May 1991. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to draw the attention of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines to its recent decision on two well-known cases tried in the lower courts; the conviction in the Vizconde Massacre case was overturned while that of the Abadilla murder case was affirmed. Sacaguing broke the guidelines in taking affidavits from witnesses. The NBI is a special investigating body attached to the DoJ. 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. Who does forget the heart-crushing 1991 Visconde massacre, with Jessica Alfaro standing as the star witness, whistle-blowing the details how these young men before, coming from our society's influential families, killed Mang Lauro's wife and his two daughters. It held that the acquittal of their co-accused does not necessarily benefit the appellants. 187745. MANILA, Philippines - Six new witnesses reveal Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb, was in the Philippines when the Vizconde massacre took place on June 1991. It is hard to believe this there is a record of supposed arrival from other country but no record of departure in 1991 or in any month of 1991, she said. The court argued that the cited case has been superseded by Arizona v. Youngblood, "where the U.S. Supreme Court held that due process does not require the State to preserve the semen specimen although it might be useful to the accused unless the latter is able to show bad faith on the part of the prosecution or the police". It was Alejo who had positively identified Joel and Lorenzo (delos Santos) during a police line-up. Webb presented certifications from the U.S. Immigration but he failed to submit as evidence in court the original copy of his passport with immigration entry stamped on it. 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. It cannot be coached or allured by a promise of reward or financial support. No. [4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et al., G.R. After she finished the laundry, she went to the servant's quarters. Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. 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). She admitted to knowing Webb and company but denied knowledge of the Vizconde massacre, NBI Death Investigation Division head Romulo Asis said. I incurred the ire of the citizenry, including some of my fellow columnists in theInquirer,for my defense of Hubert. A second movie, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II, was released in 1994. [60], Although Webb's group can no longer be retried because of double jeopardy, De Lima said the purpose of the reinvestigation was to uncover the truth and bring closure to Lauro Vizconde.[65][66]. Several jeepney drivers groups have called for an unprecedented one-week strike next week to demand extension of the deadline for phasing out traditional vehicles and replacing them with modern It will take over 200 years for women to be at par with men, a news report from Davos said. Eighteen-year-old daughter Carmela was raped, and had 17 stab wounds. 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. 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. TV-14. 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. The women were found dead with multiple stab wounds and no witnesses, murder weapons or motive have been uncovered. The court also said the same for the issue of the garage light: she claimed that Ventura climbed the car's hood, using a chair, to turn the light off. She had been hanging around that agency for sometime as a stool pigeon, one paid for mixing up with criminals and squealing on them. This is a violation of the duty of state." But Custodio admits this may be easier said than done. The tapes were restored by IBM while being monitored by the National Computer Center. Equal protection of the law is fundamental in the countrys Constitution. Their claims were corroborated by witnesses who are disinterested parties, their relatives and friends and documentary evidence. [29], The court also held that the testimony of the Webb's maid, Mila Gaviola, was also unreliable since she was not able to distinguish if it was Hubert whom she saw on June 30, 1991, nor "did she remember any of the details that happened in the household on the other days". Hubert argued that the specimen could exonerate him from the charge and support his defence that he did not rape the victim. I got my style of writing when I was a reporter, news writer and newsreader on radio during the pre-martial law era, and as a deskman and feature writer of the Philippines News Agency (PNA). With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. No. 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 . The Truth about Mendiola Massacre - Philippine True Crime Stories | Martin Rules. The Vizconde massacre, dubbed the crime of the 20th century, was my defining moment as a columnist and defender of the oppressed and those. No. The SC rendered its judgment on the Abadilla case on September 7 and on the Vizconde case on December 14 of this year [2010]. He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, Do not cheat him. 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. There was only one vital witness for the prosecution, Freddie Alejo. But feeling uneasy, she decided to go up to the stockroom near Hubert's room to see what he was doing. In open court, he already said there were six, not four assailants; that it was two other gunmen, not one of the four present close to the car who pointed the gun at him; and he was not nervous but rather had the opportunity to see the faces of all the assailants facing him all at the same time. Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. [11], The defense produced documents and presented 95 witnesses, including Hubert Webb himself and his father, along with other relatives and friends to support Webb's alibi that he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to October 26, 1992. 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. Sign up now! 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. Remember that death is the ultimate equalizer. Sources from the Department of Justice said Webb, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court last December, 2010, was in the country during and after the crime happened in . [61], The findings also point to another set of suspects, namely Dong Villadolid and his brother Bing. Connections Followed by The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! The 47-year-old Estrellita had 13 stab wounds. February 26, 2021. . Firstly, like Alfaro, Alejo also received money and free accommodation from the persons who had interest in his testimony. She was the prosecutions worst possible choice for a witness. 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. 16:53. Vizconde Massacre Case Digest - Philippine True Crime Stories | Martin Rules. Six months is not enough for him to clean up the Aegean stable that is the PNP. The Vizconde Massacre was the multiple homicide of members of the Vizconde family on June 30, 1991 at their residence in BF Homes, Paraaque, Metro Manila, Philippines.

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