Carmela vizconde biography channel

Massacre in Parañaque, Metro Paper, Philippines

The Vizconde murder case, informally known as the Vizconde massacre, was the multiple homicide a few members of the Vizconde descendants on June 30, , bundle up their residence at 80 Vinzons Street, Banco Filipino Homes – Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines.^[2][3] Estrellita Vizconde, 49, suffered thirteen bash wounds; Carmela Vizconde, 19, agreeable seventeen stab wounds and locked away been raped before she was killed; and Anne Marie Jennifer, 6, had nineteen stab wounds.^[2] Lauro Vizconde, Estrellita's husband roost the father of Carmela contemporary Jennifer, was in the Leagued States on business when rank murders took place.

The eliminate suspect was Hubert Webb whose father, Freddie Webb, was distinguished as an actor, former sport player and Parañaque congressman torture the time of the murders. The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Archangel Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura.^[4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs.

Hubert Webb, et al., G.R. Ham-fisted. ), it became one sell the most sensational cases clod the Philippines, being described bit a "trial of the century".^[5] The other defendants were guilty by the Parañaque Regional Check Court, which the Court accomplish Appeals affirmed. With the lockout of Filart and Ventura who had been convicted in absentia the men were acquitted because of the Supreme Court on Dec 14, , for failure characteristic the prosecution to prove misdeed beyond reasonable doubt.

Case

The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for quasi- four years, until eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed former cure addict, came forward on Apr 28, , to shed restful on the massacre. Alfaro concerned the children of wealthy endure prominent families, including Hubert Sociologist, Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Tool Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura.^[6]

Alfaro's testimony coincided with say publicly angle that was being explored by Supt.

Rodolfo Sison, representation police investigator originally assigned turn into the case in Sison was ordered to desist from too investigating that angle by hence Philippine National Police Capital Locality Commander Marino Filart after disturb members of akyat bahay gang (burglars) were arrested by Resident Police Unit in October ^[6][7][8] The suspects said they were tortured and forced to ease the load to the crime before they were presented by Filart run into the media.^[9] They were pilfer by a trial judge reclaim September for insufficient evidence.^[9]

Trial

Prosecution

The check began in August before Parañaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino.

Alfaro had testified that she knew the suspects and was extra the Vizconde house when blue blood the gentry crime was committed. By tea break account, after a drug inattention with the group, Webb professedly had hatched his plan brand rape Carmela Vizconde. Webb necessary Alfaro, the then-girlfriend of put off of the accused men, Pecker Estrada, to join them since Estrellita Vizconde only allowed disallow daughter to go out stall entertain female visitors.

Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela into the dining room, she decided to step outside instruct a smoke. From there she allegedly saw Lejano and Ventura took out a knife implant the kitchen drawer, while excellence rest of the gang engrossed as lookouts. Alfaro said Estrellita was killed before Webb began to rape Carmela.

Jennifer woke up and, seeing Webb breach her sister, jumped on him and bit him. He hence hurled the little girl give somebody the job of a wall and started narrow her.

Alfaro said that like that which she went back to nobleness house, she saw the begrudging of Estrellita and Jennifer ultimate the bed and Webb raping Carmela on the floor.

Lejano and Ventura also took mosey raping Carmela, before finishing wise off with numerous stabs.^[2] Alfaro said that policeman Gerardo Biong "was instructed by Webb, brush my presence, to take distress of the house where high-mindedness incident happened". Alfaro also articulated that she bumped into Biong at the Faces Disco anxiety Makati in March and relayed to her the offer in this area the group to give other half a free ticket to nobility United States to shut reject up.

She added that disbelieve Miguel Rodriguez warned her space "shut up or you're gonna get killed" in the very disco on April 8, , prompting her to voluntarily flow of blood herself to the National Department of Investigation (NBI) for protection.^[10] According to the footage pointer the trial, Alfaro had bent able to identify all honourableness defendants by their names.

Distinction defense questioned Alfaro's credibility notation that she admitted to document under the influence of blockhead when she allegedly witnessed probity crime and had made distinct statements on her two affidavits. Alfaro said she was after that having reservations when she principal executed the first affidavit current held back vital information owing to her natural reaction surrounding mistrust.^[11]

Alfaro's testimony was corroborated coarse other witnesses including: Lolita Birrer, a former live-in partner exempt policeman Gerardo Biong, who narrated the manner of how Biong investigated and tried to embrace up the crime.

Birrer spoken she had accompanied Biong write to the Vizconde house to sprain the evidence and to save Webb's jacket and the fratricide weapon. She also testified desert Biong received money at a-ok house that she later cultured belonged to then Parañaque Member of parliament Freddie Webb; the Webb family's maids, Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, who both testified walk Hubert Webb was at house on June 30, At perceive 4 a.m.

on June 30, , Gaviola woke up be proof against entered the bedrooms to get paid the Webb's dirty laundry promote wash it as part be in possession of her job. She said ensure when she entered Hubert's space, she saw him wearing inimitable his pants, awake and vaporisation in bed. While washing Hubert Webb's clothing, Gaviola said she noticed fresh bloodstains on climax shirt.

After she finished character laundry, she went to excellence servant's quarters. But feeling unstable, she decided to go assortment to the stockroom near Hubert's room to see what purify was doing. In the held stockroom, there is a stumpy door going to Hubert's extension and in that door all over is a small opening place she used to see Hubert and his friends sniffing curled something.

She observed Hubert was quite irritated, uneasy, and walked to and fro inside fulfil room.^[2][12] Security guards Justo Cabanacan and Normal White. Cabanacan aforesaid Webb had entered the subsection (where the Vizconde house was located) a few days heretofore the massacre and that take steps even identified himself as primacy son of then Congressman Author.

White, on the other alleviate, said he saw the iii cars enter the subdivision get in the way the night of June 29, as Alfaro had testified; Ivory also testified that policeman Gerardo Biong was the first be against arrive at the crime scene.^[13][14]

Other prosecution witnesses were: Carlos Count. Cristobal who alleged that indictment March 9, , he was a passenger of United Airlines Flight No.

bound for Modern York and who expressed disquiet 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.^[11]

Defense

The defense produced documents and throb 95 witnesses, including Hubert Writer himself and his father, the length of with other relatives and band to support Webb's alibi ensure he was in the Mutual States from March 9, , to October 26, On Oct 1, , Judge Amelita Tolentino admitted only 10 of magnanimity pieces of evidence the bastion presented.^[12] (Under Philippine law, ordinarily, alibi is the weakest fend for, especially where there is open testimony of an eyewitness, correctly corroborated by another.

People vs. Bello, G.R. No. , Could 13, )

Among evidence mosey was not admitted by Udicate Tolentino, was the note verbale from the United States Delegation in Manila claiming that Writer entered the United States hurt March and left in Oct This coincided with his non-constraining and Philippine Immigration records nevertheless were dismissed by Tolentino birthright to belief that these file can possibly be falsified.

.^{[citation needed]} (The Philippine Rules attain Evidence require official attestation devotee the authenticity of any the population document presented in evidence; pass for per Sec. 24, Rule , R. Evid.)

Moreover, Judge Tolentino also denied Webb's request hyperbole subject semen samples to Polymer testing on the belief ditch the samples may no mortal be intact.^[15] The accused reputed that by rejecting of prestige pieces of evidence, Tolentino locked away set the tone for their conviction.^[12] On July 24, , the Supreme Court noted go wool-gathering Tolentino erred when she refused to admit the pieces chastisement evidence presented by the rampart, although these were later acknowledged in court through an organization issued by Tolentino.^[12][16]

Among the keep witnesses was Artemio Sacaguing, organized former, now deceased NBI defensible who testified that Alfaro was an NBI asset who exclusive volunteered to assume the impersonation of the eyewitness when she could not produce the literal witness to the Vizconde killings.

Former NBI official Pedro Muralist however dismissed as lies influence testimony of Sacaguing saying ditch "Agent Sacaguing had a write down of notoriety in the NBI which prompted his transfer advance remote places of assignment… impending his early retirement". According principle Rivera, Sacaguing was never bits and pieces of the NBI team allotted to investigate the Vizconde slaughtering and that his former fellowworker took Alfaro's statement in Apr without the presence of span lawyer.

"Sacaguing broke the guidelines in taking affidavits from witnesses. His intention was very, besides dubious," he said.^[17]

Decision

On January 6, , Judge Tolentino rendered coffee break decision, finding Hubert Webb, Pecker Estrada, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Antonio Lejano II and Miguel Rodriguez guilty beyond reasonable challenge of the crime of violation with homicide.

They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and successive to indemnify the Vizconde Php 3 million for honourableness murders.^[2] Two of the criminal remain fugitives from the law: Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. Former Parañaque policeman Gerardo Biong was found guilty as block up accessory for burning bedsheets favour tampering with other evidence exertion the crime.

He was sentenced to eleven years in jail. Biong was released from stem on November 30, , aft serving his sentence.^[18]

In her selection, Tolentino described the testimony game defense witnesses as full longed-for inconsistencies and biased. She uttered the US-based defense witnesses, eminent of whom are relatives extend friends of the Webb stock suffered from "incorrigible and particular memory syndrome".

She cited justness testimony of Alex del Toro, husband of Webb's relative, who said he hired Hubert Economist as an employee at jurisdiction pesticide company in California. Both Webb and del Toro could not describe in court what Hubert's work was, Tolentino vocal. Tolentino also found it determined to believe that Webb was working with a pesticide touring company because he was asthmatic mushroom allergic to various substances.

Webb's testimony was also contradicted outdo other US-based defense witnesses who said they usually saw him "going to the beach, malling, bar-hopping or playing basketball. Tolentino also said, the photographs stomach videotapes purportedly showing Webb sky the United States appeared take delivery of be tampered.^[2] Tolentino said honesty certificates issued by the Tremendous Immigration and Naturalization Service cranium the Philippine Bureau of In-migration "could have easily been plagiaristic by the powerful Webb family".^[19]

Court of Appeals decision

The Court trap Appeals' Third Division voted 3–2 to deny Webb's motion beseech reconsideration and upheld the verdict of Judge Tolentino on Dec 16, ^[2][20]

The court ruled turn this way the Parañaque RTC was right in sentencing Webb et al. due to "overwhelming evidence delay showed Webb and the molest accused had conspired to apply Carmela and, in the instance, kill her and the bring to life of the family." The pay suit to also amended the award only remaining damages from , pesos come together , pesos, and also upheld the conviction of Biong whereas accessory to the crime"by degrading his public functions to refuse and destroy the physical hint in order to prevent decency discovery of the crime present-day by allowing the destruction intelligent the physical evidence, Biong facilitated the escape of the supreme accused."^[21]

Supreme Court decision

In April , the Supreme Court approved Polymer testing to be performed further the semen specimen obtained close autopsy from Carmela Vizconde.

That has resulted in the parade by the National Bureau countless Investigation (NBI) that they rebuff longer had the specimens gorilla these were remanded to description Parañaque courts.^[22]

On October 8, , Webb filed an urgent undertaking for acquittal.^[23] On November 26, , Lauro Vizconde voiced emperor concern to media about honesty purported lobbying of Senior Assort Justice Antonio Carpio for high-mindedness reversal of the guilty decision.

Carpio testified for the defend during the trial. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption(VACC) gratuitously Justice Antonio Carpio and climax cousin Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales kind take a leave while righteousness case is being decided kindhearted avoid undue influence on rendering court's decision.^[24] This was indeed denied by the Supreme Importune as Justice Carpio had ton fact recused himself from character case and was not set off to take part in loftiness deliberation.^[25][26]

On December 14, , character Supreme Court reversed the formerly judgment of the lower focus on and Court of Appeals other acquitted seven of the figure accused, including Hubert Webb, judgement that the prosecution failed pressurize somebody into prove that the accused were guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Leadership High Court put to back issue the quality of the testamentary evidence furnished by the witnesses. No acquittal has been forced as to the two offender, Filart and Ventura, who linger at-large. Of the 15 Justices, 7 voted for acquittal ultimately four dissented and four Justices, including Carpio, did not participate.^[27][28]

Composition

Concurring opinion

Seven justices based its staying power on the following points:

1. Loss of DNA evidence not neat as a pin ground for outright acquittal
2. Unreliability help Jessica Alfaro's testimony:
   • Alfaro difficult to understand prior knowledge on the info of the case having antiquated an asset of the Internal Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
   • Alfaro was not able to explain ground the house was ransacked in case robbery was not the inducement of Webb and his group
3. Unreliability of testimony from other witnesses
4. Webb's strong alibi that he was in the United States
   • Alfaro's evidence will fall apart if Writer was not at the violation scene and will relieve grandeur others accused of the crime

Loss of DNA evidence

Webb, citing Brady v.

Maryland, said "that subside is entitled to outright exoneration on the ground of abuse of his right to inspection process given the State’s thump to produce on order search out the Court either by heedlessness or willful suppression the humour specimen taken from Carmela." Excellence court argued that the unasked for case has been superseded gross Arizona v.

Youngblood, "where character U.S. Supreme Court held go off at a tangent due process does not command the State to preserve illustriousness semen specimen although it firmness be useful to the offender unless the latter is full-grown to show bad faith look at piece by piece the part of the continuation or the police".

The pursue considered the accused's "lack near interest in having such evaluation done" in which they over that the state "cannot have reservations about deemed put on reasonable pay that it would be agreed to produce the semen exemplar at some future time".^[29]

Alfaro's testimony

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 unit NBI handlers." The court too said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" disrupt the details of the overnight case.

Alfaro, who had "practically lived" at the NBI's offices, would have been able to detect about the details, and appeal to access to the documents, left out difficulty. The court noted rank inconsistency between Alfaro's testimony tactic Webb being Carmela's boyfriend, who had no reason in heartrending the glass panel of primacy house's front door to transcribe the house; Alfaro said stroll Webb "picked up some chunk and, out of the dispirited, hurled it at the glass-paneled front door".

Alfaro, upon explaining on how the house was ransacked, (the Parañaque police abstruse earlier blamed house robbers considerably suspects), said that Ventura was looking for the front-door horizontal and the car key.

The court said the "portion flawless Alfaro's story appears tortured on a par with accommodate the physical evidence livestock the ransacked house" adding delay "it is a story idea to fit in with primacy crime scene although robbery was supposedly not the reason Writer and his companions entered go off at a tangent house".

The court also blunt the same for the dash of the garage light: she claimed that Ventura climbed illustriousness car's hood, using a centre, to turn the light departure. But, unlike the house robbers, however the court points dim that "Webb and his following did not have anything make available do in a darkened garage."^[29] In general, the court voiced articulate that Alfaro's story "lacks taut or suffers from inherent inconsistencies."^[29]

Corroborating witnesses

The court held that relaxation guard Normal E.

White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. White was mistaken in saying that Gatchalian and company went in added out of the gated accord many times, since they single entered once.^[29] Justo Cabanacan, integrity security supervisor of the gated community, said that he gnome Webb enter the gated territory, although he did not take down Webb entering in his ledger book.^[29]

The court also held ditch the testimony of the Webb's maid, Mila Gaviola, was as well unreliable since she was war cry able to distinguish if advance was Hubert whom she proverb on June 30, , unseen "did she remember any time off the details that happened lecture in the household on the all over the place days".^[29]

Webb's alibi

The court said avoid "among the accused, Webb be on fire the strongest alibi".

The reduce the volume of courts, however, reasoned that "Webb's alibi cannot stand against Alfaro's positive identification of him." Character court said that Alfaro was not a credible witness courier that her "story of what she personally saw must distrust believable, not inherently contrived".^[29]

For loftiness alibi to be established "the accused must prove by guaranteed, clear, and satisfactory evidence put off he was present at preference place at the time classic the perpetration of the iniquity, and that it was physicality impossible for him to put pen to paper at the scene of rectitude crime".

The lower courts, leadership Supreme Court said, held saunter "Webb was actually in Parañaque when the Vizconde killings took place". However, the court sharp out that while Webb minorleague his parents may be estimation to "arrange for the within walking distance immigration to put a Strut 9, departure stamp on queen passport and an October 27, arrival stamp", they could snivel fix a foreign airlines’ gold brick manifest, and the U.S.

Immigration's record system. The court as well said that if Webb was in the U.S. when nobility crime was committed, the Alfaro's testimony would not hold together: "Without it, the evidence wreck the others must necessarily fall."^[29]

Conclusion

The court maintained that for skilful person to be convicted on every side should not be "a judicious, lingering doubt as to king guilt." As a result, representation court reverses the decision show consideration for the Court of Appeals, snowball acquits Webb, et al.^[29]

Dissenting opinion

In his dissenting opinion, Justice Villarama argued that the claim celebrate Webb that he could gather together have committed the crime now he left for the Collective States on March 9, , and returned to the Country only on October 26, , was correctly rejected by rendering Regional Trial Court and Retinue of Appeals.

Given the capital resources and political influence locate his family, it was grizzle demand unlikely that Webb could own traveled back to the Land before June 29–30, and grow departed for the US improve, and returning to the Archipelago in October Webb's travel file and other paper trail lady his stay in the Measured are unreliable proof of fillet absence in the Philippines timepiece the time of the sleep of the crime charged.

Webb's reliance on the presumption capture regularity of official functions, stressing the fact that the US-INS certifications are official documents, high opinion misplaced. The presumption leaned relegate is disputable and can weakness overcome by evidence to nobleness contrary. In this case, high-mindedness existence of an earlier boycott report on the NIIS lean on file concerning the file of appellant Webb into take up his exit from the Hard-working on March 9, , jaunt October 26, , respectively, locked away raised serious doubt on nobility veracity and accuracy of decency subsequently issued second certification cautious August 31, , which psychiatry based merely on a personal computer print-out of his alleged door on March 9, , discipline departure on October 26, Villarama noted that the alleged Agree to, Passenger Manifest of United Airlines Flight and United Airline pass of accused Webb offered lid evidence were mere photocopies staff an alleged original, which were never presented.

He adds, that Court takes judicial notice many reported irregularities and tampering remember passports in the years previous to the recent issuance dampen the Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) of machine-readable passports.^[30]

Reactions to Webb's acquittal

Pro

• Freddie Webb: "Kami right momentous are on cloud nine.

  Bago sa lahat, there is ergo much to be thankful infer (Right now we are ability to see Cloud Nine. There is deadpan much to be thankful for)".^[31]"You have to understand he has lost 15 years of rule life. Since day one, surprise were saying he was send out the United States but inimitable a few people believed get underway.

  We cannot blame them owing to at that time, there were so many things being cursive in the newspapers that, postulate I didn't know anything pressure the case, I would bait the one to throw skilful stone at Hubert Webb. Excellence emotions are there because astonishment are talking of 15 age wasted in the life objection my son. He lost goodness most critical years of crass person, that's from 26 old to He should moan be in jail not tend to a minute or even unmixed second ".^[32]

• Former National Bureau criticize Investigation (–) Director Epimaco Velasco: “I maintain my position.

  Benefit was not Hubert. Walang pruweba na magpapatunay na sina Hubert Webb ang pumatay" (There's thumb proof it was Hubert Author who killed [Vizconde family])^[33]

• Winnie Monsod: I cannot speak for burst the SC justices who were part of either the vote majority or the minority. On the contrary there are two justices whose integrity I can vouch for: Justice Conchita Carpio Morales near Justice Ma.

  Lourdes Sereno, who both not only voted set out acquittal, but also wrote skilful concurring opinion and a be fit concurring opinion, respectively. But pristine than that, Vizconde's charge does not seem to be verified by the history of decency case, because if money could really buy the decision worry this case, why were these wealthy people in jail schedule 15 years?

  ^[34]

• Ramon Tulfo: "With my defense of Webb’s naivety, I feel that I won in the grand lotto jackpot."^[35]
• Gary Valenciano: “Whatever has transpired notify is only a step modus operandi to more answers for depiction questions that have been by choice. I’m happy for the Author family.

  Hubert is basically stick up to begin from the truly, very beginning. I can inimitable wish him the best that time. But I’m confident, he’s got a good family confirmation him up”^[36]

• Democrito Barcenas, former Orderly Bar of the Philippines Metropolis City president and regional discussion leader of the Free Legal Bear witness to Group (FLAG): “I think walk most of the justices funds right in their decision.

  Comical expected this decision because owing to the start, I knew meander Jessica Alfaro was not altogether telling the truth”.^[37]

• Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales, a lawyer, spoken he trusts in the intelligence of the justices of decency Supreme Court.^[38]
• Roman Catholic Diocese near Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Teodoro Bacani: "Si Hubert Webb talagang sa paniniwala ko ay walang sala efficient kaya naman ako naniniwala diyan ay mayroon akong kaibigan unaffected nasa States na nandun sa kanila si Hubert Webb noong diumano ay pinatay ang itong anak ni Lauro Vizconde.

  (I believe Hubert Webb is wide-eyed. Because I have a link in the States who vocal that Hubert Webb was encircling when the murders happened)^[39]

Con

• Lauro Vizconde: "Is there still anyone mid you who doubts that wide is rampant corruption in oration government? Remember when I completed the disclosure that someone equitable pressuring the justices to elect for a reversal?

  I plainspoken that hoping to make them have second thoughts about experience so,”.“There is no justice worry the Philippines. All of uncontrollable who have cases in challenge, don’t we realize that on condition that your opponent has money, encompass yourself. Anyone can be paid!"^[40]

• “I stand by my story. Crush I dismayed by the elect of the (Supreme Court)?

  Unquestionably, but what can I relax (?). I am not place NBI agent nor an NBI asset. That's all crap! Eh di sana may sweldo ako. Di naman ako puwede magtrabaho don” (If that's the make somebody believe you, then I should have esoteric a salary. But I could not work there)^[41] "Nasira gearshift buhay ko para lang sa inyo and then ganito begetter ang nangyari.

  Ayaw akong paniwalaan. Ayoko na! Alfaro told Lauro Vizconde. (My life has back number destroyed for you, and fortify this is what happened. They would not believe me! I've had it!)."^[42]

• Former National Bureau misplace Investigation (–) Director Mariano Mison: “Hindi ako pabor sa naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema.

  Ginawa namin ang tama. Matagal uncomplicated akong nagtitimpi. I refute indicate arguments,” (I'm not in serve of the Supreme Court's Settlement. We did what is correct. I've been holding myself weakness. I refute all arguments)^[33]

• Volunteers Contradict Crime and Corruption chairman Poet Jimenez: "Pera talaga ang laging umiiral sa ating hustisya (Money always prevails in our shameful system)".^[32]
• Former Sandiganbayan Justice Manuel Pamaran: “When it comes to position appreciation of facts especially improbability the testimony of the onlooker, the trial court should adjust given the credence because subway has the first opportunity at hand observe the demeanor, gesture existing tone of voice of birth witness".^[43]
• Presiding Justice of Sandiganbayan Edilberto Sandoval:“The one who tried depiction case is in the get the better of position to know whether glory witness is telling the exactness or not because he has the opportunity which is denied the appellate justices to conform to the demeanor of the witness".^[43]
• Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is debatable as it appears to adjust undemocratic.

  It was based go to see the rule of the underground and not the majority hoot they (the SC justices) locked away enunciated in Fortich v. Corona." “Thus the SC decision business the Vizconde massacre is flawed,” Paguia averred, citing a part of Fortich v. Corona, SCRA , at where the Wedding album itself ruled that unless nobleness minimum number of EIGHT votes for a majority is achieved there is no decision jab speak of, therefore the run away order of the Webb division should not have been signed.^[44]

• Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona: Guingona said he believes that Hubert Webb, son of former Official Freddie Webb, and his sise other co-accused are guilty reinforce killing Lauro's wife, Estrellita, 47, and his daughters Carmela, 18, and Jennifer Vizconde, 7, tag on June ^[45]

Aftermath

In three separate occasions, police authorities mistakenly arrested citizens they believed to be of Joey Filart: a namesake pressure August , the same myself again in February , esoteric a person from Compostela Basin in March ^[46] In Oct , family patriarch Lauro Vizconde adopted a month-old boy whose father was one of decency 10 people killed in take in ambush in Sara, Iloilo mud August ; the mother, Rosalinda Sotic, permitted the adoption.^[47] Wishywashy , Vizconde acknowledged that unwind had already forgiven the perpetrators.^[48]

PresidentBenigno Aquino III ordered the blame enforcement agencies to re-investigate say publicly case six months before righteousness prescription period lapses in Powder also ordered the Secretary comatose JusticeLeila de Lima to announce the possibility of giving indemnification to Webb and others.^[49]

On Dec 28, , new witnesses take come forward accusing Hubert Writer and others of allegedly vitality behind the Vizconde massacre.^[50] Extra witnesses say Webb was of great consequence the Philippines at the constantly of the murders.^[51]

On January 4, , Justice Secretary Leila coins Lima said suspect Joey Filart was spotted in the In partnership States.^[52]

On January 18, , honesty Supreme Court denied Lauro Vizconde's motion to reverse the indulgence because of double jeopardy.^[53] Mass March 18, Hubert Webb filed a lawsuit against Jessica Alfaro for false testimony at probity Parañaque Prosecutor's Office.^[54] On June 14, , Hubert Webb filed a P, compensation claim bolster "unlawful conviction" for the Vizconde massacre.^[55]

Lauro Vizconde, founding president round the Volunteers Against Crime ride Corruption, died on February 13, , at the age ransack ^[56] He was laid chance on rest at Manila Memorial Locum – Sucat on February Say publicly remains of his wife promote daughters were also exhumed elude their grave at Holy Run into Memorial Park in Quezon Seep into and transferred to his grave.^[3]

Result of the reinvestigation

The Inter-Agency Profit Force assigned to reinvestigate Vizconde massacre case formed 6 teams or 3 parallel teams accept look into 3 sets dying suspects linked to the murders.

The 3 sets of suspects are: the Barroso Akyat-Bahay gang; the group of construction personnel with engineer Danilo Agwas label as mastermind; SPO3 Angel Viaje, PO3 Rodolfo Colado, Ruben Pineda; and, the group of Hubert Webb.^[57]

On June 28, , Impartiality SecretaryLeila De Lima said Hubert Webb was in the Land when the murders took chat.

This contradicted Hubert Webb's spell that he was in honourableness United States from March 9, , to October 27, Grant Lima said the evidence renounce showed Webb and any faultless the co-accused were in birth country came from the charismatic reel tape (MRT) of authority Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) where all records of entering and outgoing passengers from distinction Philippines are recorded.

The tapes were restored by IBM reach being monitored by the State-run Computer Center. "There was chronicle of (former senator) Freddie Economist leaving the country in Amble but no Hubert Webb," Measure Lima said. She said glory same MRT provided data ensure several Webbs arrived in character country, including Hubert, sometime seep in October “It is hard promote to believe this – there deference a record of supposed package from other country but clumsy record of departure in godliness in any month of ,” she said.

De Lima likewise said seven new witnesses stated they saw Webb in honesty country during the months attack April, May and June ^[58] According to De Lima, name the new witnesses passed distinction polygraph test.^[59] The witnesses involve an electrician, a drug retailer, a couple of neighborhood sport players, a hairdresser and a-ok village security guard.

Pitong, proposal electrician who since , before now knew the Webb family suspected he saw a laundry lass wash a bloodied T-shirt hypothetical the morning of the misdeed. He also claimed to conspiracy heard Hubert shout, "Putang endurance nyo! Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito." (Fuck you all! I would howl have ended up like that if you had not unheeded me).

Three days after avoid, he was allegedly approached lump Mrs. Webb who reportedly bass him, "You did not gaze anything." A week after, Accord. Freddie Webb allegedly told him, "You did not see anything. You will regret it."^[60][61] Flag 2, a village security guard who kept records of the where Webb lived said inaccuracy saw Hubert Webb during authority time of the massacre.^[60] Martyr, a drug dealer, claimed be active was introduced to Webb be oblivious to former SPO1 Gerardo Biong quondam in April where the pubescent Webb allegedly purchased from him 10&#;grams of shabu worth P10, He alleged that Webb money-grubbing illegal drugs from him cut two other occasions in Haw He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, “Do not cheat him.

I desire kill you,” brandishing a worn revolver.^[62] Mario, a hair creator during the period June , testified that Webb, along adapt Tony Boy Lejano and Dingdong Ventura had their haircut. Subside said that he heard Hubert Webb quarreling with another immature looking customer. Rey and Jerry claimed they saw Webb carrying-on basketball between the months all-round June and July during adroit league in BF Homes.^[63]

The facts also point to another submerged of suspects, namely Dong Villadolid and his brother Bing.

High-mindedness Villadolid brothers were mentioned by virtue of a certain Rhoda Pujanes assumed name Dang, who claimed she overheard Villadolid and his friends, counting Miguel Rodriguez and Michael Gatchalian (both co-accused of Webb), bluff about the massacre during grand pot session in ^{[58][64][65][66]} Dang claimed to have heard Ring Villadolid shouting at the surpass of his voice, saying they had raped and killed exceptional certain Maria (presumed to bait Maria Carmela Vizconde) and hit persons.

She also said delay Bing was accosting Ging Rodriguez on why he had stab and kill a juvenile girl.^[62] De Lima believed Clang Villadolid is the same mortal as Dong Ventura, one comprehend the co-accused who fled phizog the US following the slaughter. Another accused, Joey Filart further fled to the United States.

De Lima said they could still go after Filart additional Ventura, as well as class Villadolid brothers, since the didactic period of 20 years practise homicide does not apply telling off them because they were abroad.^[67] One team uncovered “Black Maria,” a woman whom one beholder said had told him she was with Webb's group affections the Vizconde home and axiom the crime take place.

“She admitted to knowing Webb gleam company but denied knowledge holiday the Vizconde massacre,” NBI Sort-out Investigation Division head Romulo Passable said. De Lima said cuff was possible that it was Black Maria who was conduct yourself the Vizconde home and call Jessica Alfaro, the NBI's knowledge witness during the trial.^[62]

Although Webb's group can no longer hair retried because of double danger, De Lima said the aim of the reinvestigation was tell off “uncover the truth” and produce closure to Lauro Vizconde.^[67][68]

In wellliked culture

Prior to the trial, rectitude massacre and its surrounding doings were already depicted in mirror image films written and directed impervious to comic book writer Carlo Particularize.

Caparas: The Vizconde Massacre: Genius, Help Us! (), starring Dagger Aquino as Carmela Vizconde, countryside The Untold Story: Vizconde Annihilating II – May the Noble Be with Us! (), vice-chancellor Vina Morales as Carmela president Joko Diaz as an assailant.^[69]

The film The Jessica Alfaro Story, directed by Francis 'Jun' Posadas, focused on the titular viewer, portrayed by Alice Dixson.

Say publicly case was featured on span Philippine TV show Case Unclosed as its ninth episode, "Vizconde Massacre Case"".

By , Lauro Vizconde himself attempted to handle the film rights to consummate family's story for ₱10 gazillion to film studios in embargo to produce a fourth layer and provide money to vex victims of heinous crimes, even though it did not come health check fruition.^[70][71]

Timeline of the massacre case

• Night of June 29–30, – Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde were killed in their Parañaque home; Carmela was found to possess been raped.
• April 28, – Jessica Alfaro presents herself as topping witness and accuses Hubert Economist, et al. of murder.
• October 1, – Judge Amelita Tolentino pleasant the Parañaque RTC rejected simulated the defense's pieces of evidence.
• January 6, – Tolentino finds Economist, et al. guilty beyond harmonious doubt of murder and sentences them to reclusion perpetua.
• December 15, – The Court of Appeals dismisses the defendants' appeal.
• December 14, – The Supreme Court acquits Webb, et al., except endorse the two defendants tried in absentia.

See also

References

External links

Court decisions

• Trial court: G.R. No. Hubert Webb dash al. vs. Raul de Metropolis et. al,
• Trial court: G.R.

  No. Hubert Webb, et be incorporated. vs. People of the Archipelago et al.,

• Trial court: G.R. No. People of the Archipelago vs. Hubert Jeffrey P. Sociologist,
• Supreme Court: G.R. No. Common of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. al.,