[6], Alfaro's testimony coincided with the angle that was being explored by Supt. On Vizconde Massacre, Hubert Webb and the Quest for True Justice (1st On October 1, 1996, Judge Amelita Tolentino admitted only 10 of the 142 pieces of evidence the defense presented. 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. He also ordered the Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima to study the possibility of giving compensation to Webb and others. Conjectures and suspicions are not facts, hence, they have no evidentiary value. I will kill you, brandishing a shiny revolver. Suspicions, no matter how strong they are, must never sway judgment. The Supreme Court acquitted them on Dec. 14, 2010. 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 X' key to real perpetrators of Vizconde murders? People vs. Bello, G.R. He and six others spent 15 years in jail. [5] The other defendants were convicted by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court, which the Court of Appeals affirmed. In a decision dated January 6, 2000, Paraaque Regional Trial Court Judge Amelita Tolentino convicted Webb and the co . For example, I was the first one to report the shooting of 16-year-old Maureen Hultman and her boyfriend by the son of former chief justice Claudio Teehankee in 1991 in my column at theInquirer, because the girls stepfather, Anders, a Swede, came to myIsumbongoffice at Radyo Veritas. Asuncion, 27, was a constant playmate of Jennifer Vizconde, who was 7 years old when she was killed. It is time to heal the past. With the exception of Filart and Ventura who had been convicted in absentia the men were acquitted by the Supreme Court on December 14, 2010 for failure of the prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 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." In a 38-page strongly-worded decision promulgated on Tuesday, the . [15] The accused alleged that by rejecting 132 of the 142 pieces of evidence, Tolentino had set the tone for their conviction. After reading about how responsive Secretary Benhur Abalos is to matters raised by the media, some members of the PNP, particularly in the province of Iloilo, have shared through channels about their operational Local producers wont like it, but it looks like in the near future, there will be a flood of imported agricultural commodities. 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. The Truth about Mendiola Massacre - Philippine True Crime Stories | Martin Rules. The Villadolid brothers were mentioned by a certain Rhoda Pujanes alias Dang, who claimed she overheard Villadolid and his friends, including Miguel Rodriguez and Michael Gatchalian (both co-accused of Webb), talking about the massacre during a pot session in 1991. The AHRC is deeply concerned by the contradiction in the application of jurisprudence by the SC in these cases, particularly its ruling on positive identification, the credibility of witness and its appreciation of forensic evidence. Like Herbas, court records had also shown that Alejo has been receiving money and free accommodation from the Abadillas. By providing an email address. Credibility of a witness: In Vizconde case not credible, but credible in the Abadilla case. 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. [57] The witnesses include an electrician, a drug dealer, a couple of neighborhood basketball players, a hairdresser and a village security guard. This is despite questions to his credibility for receiving money and enjoying privileges while he was in Abadillas custody and the existence of inconsistencies in his testimonies in open court. 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. 3. According to Rivera, Sacaguing was never part of the NBI team assigned to investigate the Vizconde massacre and that his former colleague took Alfaro's statement in April 1995 without the presence of a lawyer. But, unlike the house robbers, however the court points out that "Webb and his friends did not have anything to do in a darkened garage. Alfaro testified that as Webb followed Carmela into the dining room, she decided to step outside for a smoke. 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". 132577 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, 1999, G.R. Nine years later, still no clarity on EDCA sites. The court said the "portion of Alfaro's story appears tortured to accommodate the physical evidence of the ransacked house" adding that "it is a story made to fit in with the crime scene although robbery was supposedly not the reason Webb and his companions entered that house". Thus, it was not surprising for Alfaro to testify with great details in court. [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. 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. The defense questioned Alfaro's credibility noting that she admitted to being under the influence of drugs when she allegedly witnessed the crime and had made inconsistent statements on her two affidavits. ), Among evidence that was not admitted by Judge Tolentino, was the note verbale from the United States Embassy in Manila claiming that Webb entered the United States in March 1991 and left in October 1992. [10] According to the footage of the trial, Alfaro had been able to identify all the defendants by their names. Reporters jostled with Vizcondes relatives and friends in his garage, where Fr. 5. I stand by my story. 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. On June 30, 1991, Estrellita Vizconde and her two daughters: Carmela and Jennifer, were found lifeless inside their home in Paraaque. 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. 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. The Murder of an Entire Family While Dad Was Abroad for Work For those who havent heard aboutIsumbong, the public service program started at Radyo Veritas on June 1, 1991. The court rejected his testimony because he was a disgruntled witness. Biong walks free, insists he's innocent | ABS-CBN News No. [4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et al., G.R. Webb's travel documents and other paper trail of his stay in the US are unreliable proof of his absence in the Philippines at the time of the commission of the crime charged. 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. 2. 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 . 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. They were victims of gory murder; Carmela was raped before she was killed. 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. Night of June 2930, 1991 Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde were killed in their Paraaque home; Carmela was found to have been raped. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! The most significant topic that Ive ever written about and which I personally got involved in was the Vizconde massacre. Eh di sana may sweldo ako. [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. It cannot be coached or allured by a promise of reward or financial support. 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. 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. Massacre era. I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. (1994) Details Release date June 24, 1993 (Philippines) Country of origin Philippines Languages English Filipino Tagalog Filming locations 176864. Once again, the SCs applications of jurisprudence on the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trial have not been equally applied. Call 896 6000. 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. : Directed by Carlo J. Caparas. Yes, but what can I do (?). 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. It would be a serious miscarriage of justice and a demonstration of inequality before the law should jurisprudence not be applied equally. Police assets are often criminals themselves. It is that simple. The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (1993) With Romeo Vasquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. No two persons have the same DNA fingerprint, with the exception of identical twins. The prescription period does not matter to me, its just a date, he said. Similar to the accused in the Vizconde case, all the accused in the Abadilla case invoked their defence of alibi. SC acquits Hubert Webb, 6 others in Vizconde massacre He then hurled the little girl to a wall and started stabbing her. 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The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (1993) - IMDb 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. On the night of June 29, 1991, Asuncion was supposed to have a sleepover with Jennifer at the latters home in Paraaque City. Footnote: This article comprises the text of a statement issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission, AHRC-STM-266-2010, dated 21 December 2010. [2] Lauro Vizconde, Estrellita's husband and the father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United States on business when the murders took place. Six months is not enough for him to clean up the Aegean stable that is the PNP. But Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, who concurred with the decision, wrote strongly against basing judgement on conjectures: Facts decide cases. All rights are reserved. September 7, 2010http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/september2010/182555.htm The case was featured on a Philippine TV show Case Unclosed as its ninth episode, "Vizconde Massacre Case. [50], On January 18, 2011, the Supreme Court denied Lauro Vizconde's motion to reverse the acquittal because of double jeopardy. The tapes were restored by IBM while being monitored by the National Computer Center. 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. InAbadilla case: The SC admitted the positive identification of witness Freddie Alejo when it considered him a credible witness. After the Mass, VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez urged Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the seven Supreme Court justices who either voted to acquit Webb and coaccused or abstained from voting last December. At any rate, Rameses de Jesus admitted that they were using the new car of Lenido Lumanog. 176389 / G.R. Therefore, the applications of the SC on evaluating the defence of alibi of the accused have not been equally applied in these two cases. "[29], The court held that security guard Normal E. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. 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. Eleazar, a strict disciplinarian, is probably the only PNP chief who is loved and respected by the citizenry. Early Thursday, Lauro Vizconde went to Holy Cross Memorial Park and laid bouquets of roses on the tombs of his wife and daughters. G.R. Hubert and his co-accused were convicted by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court for the crime on June 6, 2000. There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in March 1991 but no Hubert Webb, De Lima said. [46], President Benigno Aquino III ordered the law enforcement agencies to re-investigate the case six months before the prescription period lapses. [8] If, on examination, the DNA of the subject specimen does not belong to Webb, then he did not rape Carmela. After 15 years behind bars, Hubert Webb and 5 others in the Vizconde massacre case (Manila-Philippines) were released from prison on Tuesday. A lying witness can make as positive an identification as a truthful witness can. Jubilation by the citizenry greeted the report of his appointment. 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. 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. New Vizconde massacre witness found | Inquirer News Their claims were corroborated by witnesses who are disinterested parties, their relatives and friends and documentary evidence. Vizconde Massacre: The hidden Truth - Facebook Vizconde said his quest for justice was continuing despite the end of the prescription period for the prosecution of his familys killers. Alfaro said Estrellita was killed before Webb began to rape Carmela. [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. A local elected official whos being groomed to run for a national office is being sold to the highest bidder by the politicians spouse. Vizconde marks 20th year of murders: Time to move on 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. But feeling uneasy, she decided to go up to the stockroom near Hubert's room to see what he was doing. The Visconde Massacre Case - Filipino Journal But Villaramas opinion was not considered by the SC in their majority decision. 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. Vizconde massacre timeline | Philstar.com The other accused were Artemio Dong Ventura, Michael A. Gatchalian, Hospicio Pyke Fernandez, Peter Estrada, Miguel Ging Rodriguez, and Joey Filart. 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. ", The victims of the massacre (from left to right): Jennifer, Carmela, and Estrellita Vizconde, "The Vizconde massacre: Justice not served", "Lauro Vizconde to be buried in same grave with family Wednesday", "Manila Standard Google News Archive Search", "The Manila Times Internet Edition SPECIAL REPORT > Questions linger in Vizconde case", The Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 31, 2010, "Philippine Daily Inquirer Google News Archive Search", "NBI exec: We've turned over semen specimen from Vizconde girl to court", "2 SC justices asked to go on leave pending Vizconde decision", "SC sues for time, defers ruling on Vizconde case", Philippine Daily Inquirer, SC Acquits Webb et al, "Supreme Court decision on Webb et al re Vizconde Massacre", Lauro Vizconde in tears, Webbs on 'cloud nine', Gary, Kris speak up on Hubert's acquittal, Outrage over decision, sympathy for Vizconde, Ruling raises more questions, lawyers point out, Vizconde kin question why Webb was released so quickly, Alfaro unwilling to testifying anew in Vizconde case Jessica Alfaro stands by story, Criminal law experts umalma sa pag-absuwelto ng SC kay Webb, Ex-VP Guingona to SC: Reverse Webb's acquittal to give justice to Vizconde, "Another 'Joey Filart' still under detention", "New Vizconde massacre witnesses surface", New witnesses to prove Webb in PH during Vizconde massacre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Hubert Webb seeks P180K compensation for 'unlawful' conviction, NBI, PNP teams probe 3 sets of Vizconde slay suspects, Vizconde massacre has new set of witnesses, Evidence, witnesses 'shatter' Webb alibi: task force, DoJ chief: No credible proof of Webb in crime scene, De Lima hints at explosive breakthrough in Vizconde probe. Hell never return to the Philippines, said the Thai tourist whose cash was filched by Manila airport security personnel. [22], On October 8, 2010, Webb filed an urgent motion for acquittal. It was based on the rule of the minority and not the majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. 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. 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 remains of his wife and daughters were also exhumed from their grave at Holy Cross Memorial Park in Quezon City and transferred to his grave. 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. This site uses cookies. 1. LYN RILLON. 182555/G.R. 3. Defence of Alibi: In Vizconde case not admissible, in Abadilla case court acted on conjectures. I will continue to play that role as long as I live. Hubert Webb - Wikipedia Herbas and Alejo worked for the Abadillas as security guards. Hopefully, if they will surface, public pressure will snowball and I will finally get the justice I am looking for, he said. 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. Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is questionable as it appears to be undemocratic. 1. The trial began in August 1995 before Paraaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. During the trial, accused Webb made a defence of alibi claiming that he was in the United States when the massacre of the Vizcondes happened. Webb was among the nine people convicted by Paranaque Regional Trial Court Branch 274 Presiding Judge Amelita Tolentino in January 2000 for the killings. 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. 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. Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. The prosecution did not present him as their witness during the trial. 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. At about 4 a.m. on June 30, 1991, Gaviola woke up and entered the bedrooms to get the Webb's dirty laundry and wash it as part of her job. Vizconde Massacre Case - Pinoy Stories The court also said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" on the details of the case. Hubert Webb of Vizconde Massacre Freed- Breaking News - theAsianparent When she could not produce the person, Sacaguing continued to press her saying that she might as well assume the role of her informant.. [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. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. References: [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre. [61], The findings also point to another set of suspects, namely Dong Villadolid and his brother Bing. The film claims to have been based on new evidence from the then-ongoing trial. But big offenses, such as rape or attempted rape, should be filed with the police or the prosecutors office. De Lima also said seven new witnesses claimed they saw Webb in the country during the months of April, May and June 1991. [54] He was laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park Sucat on February 17. 127262 Hubert Webb, et al. :Isumbongwill make a comeback on PTV-4 on June 12, 2021. Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde. The men were released on Dec. 14 last year, after the Supreme Court dismissed the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro against Webb. [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". al., 2010, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vizconde_murders&oldid=1138122178, Loss of DNA evidence not a ground for outright acquittal. Executive M/Sgt. Biong was released from jail on November 30, 2010, after serving his sentence. 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. For example, it rejected as not impartial the corroborating testimony of Augusto Santoss brother-in-law that he was at the hospital with him when Abadilla was murdered. 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. All of us who have cases in court, dont we realize that if your opponent has money, brace yourself. ", Jessica Alfaro: Alfaro's e-mail from abroad read. InAbadilla case: Both the RTC and the CA did not apply this test of credibility of a witness before accepting the testimony of Alejo. 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. 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. 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. At the end of February, the Bureau of Fire Protection held a parade featuring some of its trucks and equipment as well as new regular personnel: women firefighters. Pray to them. 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. Welcome to my maiden column in TheSTAR, now the countrys No. Hubert argued that the specimen could exonerate him from the charge and support his defence that he did not rape the victim. Her mother, Estrellita, 47, and sister, Jennifer, 7, were also killed. A second movie, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II, was released in 1994. 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. Birrer said she had accompanied Biong to the Vizconde house to destroy the evidence and to retrieve Webb's jacket and the murder weapon. The Vizconde massacre revisited | ABS-CBN News But to Judge Amelita Tolentino of the Paranaque Regional Trial Court, the truth was the account of star witness Jessica Alfaro. I incurred the ire of the citizenry, including some of my fellow columnists in theInquirer,for my defense of Hubert. [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. 4. No. On August 11, 1999, the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City acquitted two of them and convicted the five others, now collectively known as the Abadilla Five.