After the shooting, he could have easily and quickly transferred to Camp Crame between 9:00 and 9:30 in the morning. Alfaro accused Hubert Webb, son of former senator Freddie Webb, as the mastermind of the massacre, along with five other men, all coming from prominent families. [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". By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The prosecution did not present him as their witness during the trial. Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. Police assets are often criminals themselves. Massacre era | PEP.ph [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. The unconstitutionality of prior restraint. MANILA, Philippines - A former policeman who was jailed for allegedly tampering with evidence in the 1991 Vizconde massacre insists he is innocent of any crime after being released from prison Tuesday. InVizconde case: The SC has given weight to the importance of forensic evidence in a court trial. 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). No acquittal has been made as to the two accused, Filart and Ventura, who remain at-large. Alfaro had testified that she knew the suspects and was at the Vizconde house when the crime was committed. The presumption leaned on is disputable and can be overcome by evidence to the contrary. Equal protection of the law is fundamental in the countrys Constitution. This is a violation of the duty of state." But Custodio admits this may be easier said than done. SC slams 'unbelievable' testimony of Vizconde massacre witness She did not show up at the NBI as a spontaneous witness (only after four years) bothered by her conscience. "[29] In general, the court said that Alfaro's story "lacks sense or suffers from inherent inconsistencies. Hence, it was not physically impossible for them to travel to Quezon City via the North Expressway at the time the crime took place; On Augusto Santos, the corroboration of his brother-in-law, Jonas Padel Ayhon, that he was at the Jose Fabella Hospital when the crime happened, the CA rejected his corroboration because he was not an impartial witness and ruled that where nothing supports the alibi than the testimony of a relative, it deserves scant consideration. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. The SC rendered its judgment on the Abadilla case on September 7 and on the Vizconde case on December 14 of this year [2010]. [139] Against positive evidence, alibi becomes most unsatisfactory. New Vizconde massacre witness found | Inquirer News 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. The jurisprudence mentioned above that the SC invoked has not been equally applied. Vizconde said his quest for justice was continuing despite the end of the prescription period for the prosecution of his familys killers. In the Philippines in 1992, the Vizconde Massacre, which saw the murder of multiple women who had been stabbed to death, created an investigation full of problems. 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. In the said stockroom, there is a small door going to Hubert's room and in that door there is a small opening where she used to see Hubert and his friends sniffing on something. 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. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. But Villaramas opinion was not considered by the SC in their majority decision. Alfaro also said that she bumped into Biong at the Faces Disco in Makati in March 1995 and relayed to her the offer of the group to give her a free ticket to the United States to shut her up. For example, the prosecutor, instead of admitting Alejo to the WPP during trial, rather chose instead to allow the Abadillas, who had an interest in Alejos testimony, to make him dependent on them for his livelihood at least for the duration of the trial of the case. 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. The court also said that it was "possible for Alfaro to lie" on the details of the case. This is one of the most controversial and widely publicised massacre cases because of the involvement of the son of a former Philippine . [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. a contribution to Human Rights work, Asian Human Rights Commission Choose Gods endless kind of love., Hernandez also reminded Vizconde that he now had three saints in Heaven.. Guillermo Lorenzo Guilor Eleazar, recently appointed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), bows out on Nov. 13 this year when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. 24, Rule 134, R. She said the same MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992. The court rejected his testimony because he was a disgruntled witness. Methinks one year would give Eleazar ample time impose his brand of discipline on one of the most undisciplined police forces in the world. My program is the originalsumbungan ng bayan sa radyo(roughly, citizens complaint center on radio). 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. 127262 Hubert Webb, et al. Pinoy murders: The worst true crimes in the Philippines 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. Of the 15 Justices, 7 voted for acquittal while four dissented and four Justices, including Carpio, did not participate.[27][28]. InAbadilla case: The SC admitted the positive identification of witness Freddie Alejo when it considered him a credible witness. 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. Nine years later, still no clarity on EDCA sites. Person of interest in hazing case of Adamson student found dead, Jeepney phaseout: Its more than just new vehicles, Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Pagcor chair Genuino of graft, House energy committee chair Arroyo bats for cheap electricity, LIVE UPDATES: Face-to-face classes, work suspended as transport strike looms, vivo announces PHP 1,000 price drop on vivo V25e, Kickstart summer with vivos hot smartphone deals this 3.3, Over 24,000 hectares of coral reef at risk following Mindoro oil spill, Frat members planned to burn Adamson hazing victims body police | INQToday, Joey de Leon laughs off Eat Bulaga rebranding rumors; Tito Sotto meets up with show producer Tony Tuviera, LIST: LGUs, schools suspend face-to-face classes, work as transport strike looms, NBA: Devin Booker, Suns cruise past Bulls in second half. I expected this decision because since the start, I knew that Jessica Alfaro was not entirely telling the truth. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. It cannot be coached or allured by a promise of reward or financial support. Similar to the accused in the Vizconde case, all the accused in the Abadilla case invoked their defence of alibi. No. Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. [65] One team uncovered Black Maria, a woman whom one witness said had told him she was with Webb's group inside the Vizconde home and saw the crime take place. [13][14], Other prosecution witnesses were: Carlos J. Cristobal who alleged that on March 9, 1991, he was a passenger of United Airlines Flight No. Webbs co-accused, Antonio Lejano, is a son of a known singer and celebrity. Published July 4, 2011 7:24pm. The details of how they were killed were grim. He also claimed to have heard Hubert shout, Putang ina nyo! Originally, there were seven accused charged in this case. 121234 Hubert Webb et al. [48] Other witnesses say Webb was in the Philippines at the time of the murders. It cautioned itself from accepting the testimonies of witnesses without applying these tests. 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. G.R. Lejano and Ventura also took turns raping Carmela, before finishing her off with numerous stabs. 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 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. Under the law, prosecutors of a murder case are given 20 years from the time it occurred or the time it was discovered to identify suspects and charge them in court. 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. The Vizconde Massacre. That's all crap! The RTC, however, acquitted Delos Santos despite being positively identified also by Alejo as one of those who was present at the crime scene. 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. Im still hoping for a miracle to happen. 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. [54] He was laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park Sucat on February 17. This site uses cookies. ), Moreover, Judge Tolentino also denied Webb's request to subject semen samples to DNA testing on the belief that the samples may no longer be intact. Forensic evidence: In Vizconde case it cannot lie, in Abadilla case it is inconclusive. By providing an email address. The SC required this test as necessary before a testimony of positive identification could be accepted as credible and with merit. Cabanacan said Webb had entered the subdivision (where the Vizconde house was located) a few days before the massacre and that he even identified himself as the son of then Congressman Webb. Defence of Alibi: In Vizconde case not admissible, in Abadilla case court acted on conjectures. She observed Hubert was quite irritated, uneasy, and walked to and fro inside his room. 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. Asuncion, 27, was a constant playmate of Jennifer Vizconde, who was 7 years old when she was killed. 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. Those initially jailed for. Jennifer woke up and, seeing Webb violating her sister, jumped on him and bit him. Both Webb and del Toro could not describe in court what Hubert's work was, Tolentino said. Once again, the SCs applications of jurisprudence on the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trial have not been equally applied. Alfaro said that when she went back to the house, she saw the bodies of Estrellita and Jennifer on the bed and Webb raping Carmela on the floor. [4] In the Trial Court (People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et al., G.R. Kung di ninyo ako pinabayaan, 'di ako magkakaganito. (Fuck you all! In a 38-page strongly-worded decision promulgated on Tuesday, the . 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". Shades of what happened in the 2004 elections, when a national official was paid a huge sum to run under a political party. 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. 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. 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. Like Herbas, court records had also shown that Alejo has been receiving money and free accommodation from the Abadillas. The Vizconde Massacre | GMA News Online 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 47-year-old Estrellita had 13 stab wounds. 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. As a result, the court reverses the decision of the Court of Appeals, and acquits Webb, et al. It is said that being elected president is a gift from God. 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. 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. The court also said that if Webb was in the U.S. when the crime was committed, the Alfaro's testimony would not hold together: "Without it, the evidence against the others must necessarily fall. 124871, May 13, 2004. 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. Former Paraaque City cop Gerardo Biong walked free from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City after serving a 12-year sentence. 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". There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in March 1991 but no Hubert Webb, De Lima said. I stand by my story. Connections Followed by The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! al, 1995, G.R. I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. Suspicions, no matter how strong they are, must never sway judgment. [12] On July 24, 1997, the Supreme Court noted that Tolentino erred when she refused to admit the 132 pieces of evidence presented by the defense, although these were later admitted in court through an order issued by Tolentino.[12][16]. 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. The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. Jennifer Diaz, chief of the women and childrens desk, told Allan to file the complaint with the barangay where they reside. A lying witness can make as positive an identification as a truthful witness can. Vizconde massacre case: Back to square one | ABS-CBN News God would be stupid to borrow Digongs words if He gifts him the vice presidency the second time around. 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. Birrer said she had accompanied Biong to the Vizconde house to destroy the evidence and to retrieve Webb's jacket and the murder weapon. Includes gruesome real photos from the crime scene. I will continue to play that role as long as I live. It held that the acquittal of their co-accused does not necessarily benefit the appellants. Hell never return to the Philippines, said the Thai tourist whose cash was filched by Manila airport security personnel. Make a difference. 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. 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. The Vizconde massacre: Justice not served - BusinessMirror By her account, after a drug session with the group, Webb allegedly had hatched his plan to rape Carmela Vizconde. 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. Sacaguing broke the guidelines in taking affidavits from witnesses. Tolentino also found it hard to believe that Webb was working with a pesticide company because he was asthmatic and allergic to various substances. On December 14, 2010, the SC rendered its decision on the appeals of the accused, questioning the guilty verdict by the RTC and the CA. Vizconde marks 20th year of murders: Time to move on The AHRC urges the SC to thoroughly review the pending final appeal of the accused in the Abadilla case. People vs. Bello, G.R. Rey and Jerry claimed they saw Webb playing basketball between the months of June and July 1991 during a league in BF Homes. But both the RTC and the CA rejected his defence ruling that his alibi cannot stand against Alfaros positive identification of him as the rapist and killer. But the grieving father couldn't distinguish the truth from the lies. [6], Alfaro's testimony coincided with the angle that was being explored by Supt. Am I dismayed by the decision of the (Supreme Court)? [49], On January 4, 2011, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said suspect Joey Filart was spotted in the United States. 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". After she finished the laundry, she went to the servant's quarters. 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! Pray to them. ", Jessica Alfaro: Alfaro's e-mail from abroad read. 187745. 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. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Alibi cannot prevail over the positive identification of a credible witness [140].. No. Footnote: This article comprises the text of a statement issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission, AHRC-STM-266-2010, dated 21 December 2010. The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May the Lord Be with Us! When the accused appealed the decision, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the judgement of conviction by the RTC. (1994) Details Release date June 24, 1993 (Philippines) Country of origin Philippines Languages English Filipino Tagalog Filming locations Webb's testimony was also contradicted by other US-based defense witnesses who said they usually saw him "going to the beach, malling, bar-hopping or playing basketball. 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. Welcome to my maiden column in TheSTAR, now the countrys No. He and six others spent 15 years in jail. On the night of June 29, 1991, Asuncion was supposed to have a sleepover with Jennifer at the latters home in Paraaque City. But to Judge Amelita Tolentino of the Paranaque Regional Trial Court, the truth was the account of star witness Jessica Alfaro. VIZCONDE MASSACRE: After 20 Years | GMA News Online 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. Copyright 2023. [56] According to De Lima, all the new witnesses passed the polygraph test. In the Vizconde case, the SC does not accept conjecture as the basis of its decision. 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. June 30, 1991 for a bicycle he bought from a store in Orange County, Los Angeles, California. Conjectures and suspicions are not facts, hence, they have no evidentiary value. A local elected official whos being groomed to run for a national office is being sold to the highest bidder by the politicians spouse. Reporters jostled with Vizcondes relatives and friends in his garage, where Fr. At any rate, Rameses de Jesus admitted that they were using the new car of Lenido Lumanog. 176864), it became one of the most sensational cases in the Philippines, being described as a "trial of the century". [50], On January 18, 2011, the Supreme Court denied Lauro Vizconde's motion to reverse the acquittal because of double jeopardy. A police officer, Gerardo Biong, has also been charged for destroying the evidence at the crime scene. 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. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. While the SC rejected Alfaros testimony being not a credible witness, it held Alejo still a credible witness despite the inconsistencies in his testimony. Hubert Webb of Vizconde Massacre Freed- Breaking News - theAsianparent This coincided with his passport and Philippine Immigration records but were dismissed by Tolentino due to belief that these documents can possibly be falsified. The passing away of Lauro Vizconde a few days ago does not close the sad chapter on the tragedy known as the Vizconde massacre. This policewoman is either ignorant of the law or plain lazy. LYN RILLON. [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". The trial began in August 1995 before Paraaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. 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 . [2][3] Estrellita Vizconde, 49, suffered thirteen stab wounds; Carmela Vizconde, 19, suffered seventeen stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed; and Anne Marie Jennifer, 6, had nineteen stab wounds. [22], On October 8, 2010, Webb filed an urgent motion for acquittal. Corona." This contradicted Hubert Webb's claim that he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to October 27, 1992. To find out more, please click this link. It was hard to tell which made up the truth and the lies. Alejo confirmed these two (2) as the persons he saw from his guard post walking to and fro before the shooting incident. From there she allegedly saw Lejano and Ventura take a knife from the kitchen drawer, while the rest of the gang acted as lookouts. 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. 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 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.