the truth about vizconde massacre

the truth about vizconde massacre

It was Alejo who had positively identified Joel and Lorenzo (delos Santos) during a police line-up. Published July 4, 2011 7:24pm. One of the justices, Roberto Abad, who dissented the majority decision affirming the guilty verdict wrote: the public prosecutor 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. Sacaguing broke the guidelines in taking affidavits from witnesses. On Vizconde Massacre, Hubert Webb and the Quest for True Justice (1st As to the failure to present the forensic evidence and its subsequent loss, the SC held: the semen specimen taken from Carmela cannot possibly lie. [49], On January 4, 2011, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said suspect Joey Filart was spotted in the United States. InVizconde case: The SC has given weight to the importance of forensic evidence in a court trial. Alejo confirmed these two (2) as the persons he saw from his guard post walking to and fro before the shooting incident. I will be conferring with my lawyers about my future moves.. Hubert Webb - Wikipedia Massacre era. The massacre and surrounding events were depicted in the 1993 film The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help Us!) [52] On June 14, 2011, Hubert Webb filed a P180,000 compensation claim for "unlawful conviction" for the Vizconde massacre. 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. Conjectures and suspicions are not facts, hence, they have no evidentiary value. The DoJ also placed Alfaro under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) during the trial period. The SC, however, held that by failing to prove the existence of a relationship between Hubert and Carmela; and that the lover that Alfaro claimed that Carmela had met did not come forward in public or in court, her testimonies about the accused and the victims were like a piece of jigsaw puzzle trimmed to fit into the shape on the board but does not belong because it clashes with the surrounding pieces and the lover was a mere ghost of the imagination of Alfaro, the woman who made a living informing on criminals. 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. This contradicted Hubert Webb's claim that he was in the United States from March 9, 1991, to October 27, 1992. 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. Ateneo law professor Alan Paguia: "The order of release is questionable as it appears to be undemocratic. 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. 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. [12] (Under Philippine law, generally, alibi is the weakest defense, especially where there is direct testimony of an eyewitness, duly corroborated by another. The Vizconde massacre: Justice not served - BusinessMirror Unreliability of Jessica Alfaro's testimony: Alfaro had prior knowledge on the facts of the case having been an, Alfaro was not able to explain why the house was ransacked if robbery was not the motive of Webb and his group, Unreliability of testimony from other witnesses, Alfaro's testimony will fall apart if Webb was not at the crime scene and will relieve the others accused of the crime. He and six others spent 15 years in jail. New Vizconde massacre witness found | Inquirer News The women were found dead with multiple stab wounds and no witnesses, murder weapons or motive have been uncovered. About the Show; You May Also Like . The court rejected his testimony because he was a disgruntled witness. 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. The Vizconde massacre has been dubbed as the trial of the century as the accused hailed from prominent families of the Philippines. [51] On March 18, Hubert Webb filed a lawsuit against Jessica Alfaro for false testimony at the Paraaque Prosecutor's Office. Remember when I made the disclosure that someone is pressuring the justices to vote for a reversal? Acting solely on Alfaros testimony, the Department of Justice (DoJ) filed charges of rape with homicide against the eight accused on August 1995. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. She also testified that Biong received money at a house that she later learned belonged to then Paraaque Congressman Freddie Webb; the Webb family's maids, Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, who both testified that Hubert Webb was at home on June 30, 1991. Three days after that, he was allegedly approached by Mrs. Webb who reportedly told him, You did not see anything. A week after, Sen. Freddie Webb allegedly told him, You did not see anything. Webbs son, Hubert Jeffrey, is also the brother of a television host, Pinky, in one of the largest television networks in the country. Webb's reliance on the presumption of regularity of official functions, stressing the fact that the US-INS certifications are official documents, is misplaced. Call 896 6000. due to "overwhelming evidence that showed Webb and the other accused had conspired to rape Carmela and, in the process, kill her and the rest of the family." With Romeo Vasquez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel. All rights are reserved. Pray to them. So how can such accused penetrate a mind that has been made cynical by the rule drilled into his head that a defense of alibi is a hangmans noose in the face of a witness positively swearing. 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The jurisprudence mentioned above that the SC invoked has not been equally applied. Since I was introduced to The STAR readers in the front page, Ill hit the ground running. 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. The Murder of an Entire Family While Dad Was Abroad for Work Abadilla Case Decision from the Court of Appeals:http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-CAdecision.pdf. Includes gruesome real photos from the crime scene. 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. [9] They were acquitted by a trial judge in September 1993 for insufficient evidence.[9]. 5. Their claims were corroborated by witnesses who are disinterested parties, their relatives and friends and documentary evidence. VIZCONDE MASSACRE: 20 YEARS, TWO FACES OF JUSTICE Report by Maki Pulido It is one of the most controversial cases in the country's history, the most shocking crime in the 90s - the Vizconde Massacre. 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. Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde. Theyre projecting Digong as a feeble old man still seeking power. My program is the originalsumbungan ng bayan sa radyo(roughly, citizens complaint center on radio). I became a villain in the eyes of the citizenry that was crying for blood; but I was steadfast. Vizconde Massacre Case Digest - Philippine True Crime Stories - Anchor 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. February 26, 2021. . When she could not produce the person, Sacaguing continued to press her saying that she might as well assume the role of her informant.. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vizconde said he was optimistic about finding more witnesses.. It held that the acquittal of their co-accused does not necessarily benefit the appellants. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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. "[29], The court maintained that for a person to be convicted there should not be "a reasonable, lingering doubt as to his guilt." 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. [60], Although Webb's group can no longer be retried because of double jeopardy, De Lima said the purpose of the reinvestigation was to uncover the truth and bring closure to Lauro Vizconde.[65][66]. 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. No. People vs. Bello, G.R. The CA rather held that positive and unequivocal declaration is sufficient to support a conviction which was affirmed by the SC. She admitted to knowing Webb and company but denied knowledge of the Vizconde massacre, NBI Death Investigation Division head Romulo Asis said. "[29], The court held that security guard Normal E. White, Jr.'s testimony was unreliable. Both Webb and del Toro could not describe in court what Hubert's work was, Tolentino said. 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). Pitong, an electrician who since 1982, already knew the Webb family claimed he saw a laundry woman wash a bloodied T-shirt on the morning of the crime. No two persons have the same DNA fingerprint, with the exception of identical twins. [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 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 . I will continue to play that role as long as I live. The passing away of Lauro Vizconde a few days ago does not close the sad chapter on the tragedy known as the Vizconde massacre. Many of the stories in my columns in previous newspapers were complaints from citizens. But I could not work there), Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman. 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. Remember that death is the ultimate equalizer. 1. [3], The Inter-Agency Task Force assigned to reinvestigate Vizconde massacre case formed 6 teams or 3 parallel teams to look into 3 sets of suspects linked to the murders. Suspicions, no matter how strong they are, must never sway judgment. Welcome to my maiden column in TheSTAR, now the countrys No. He then hurled the little girl to a wall and started stabbing her. 185123/G.R. No. She was the prosecutions worst possible choice for a witness. 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. This was a case that was solved nine years after the murders and then unsolved 10 years later. After 15 years behind bars, Hubert Webb and 5 others in the Vizconde massacre case (Manila-Philippines) were released from prison on Tuesday. Choose Gods endless kind of love., Hernandez also reminded Vizconde that he now had three saints in Heaven.. But her parents did not allow her to go. 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. Tolentino also found it hard to believe that Webb was working with a pesticide company because he was asthmatic and allergic to various substances. [5] The other defendants were convicted by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court, which the Court of Appeals affirmed. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to draw the attention of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines to its recent decision on two well-known cases tried in the lower courts; the conviction in the Vizconde Massacre case was overturned while that of the Abadilla murder case was affirmed. 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. While washing Hubert Webb's clothing, Gaviola said she noticed fresh bloodstains on his shirt. No. A second movie, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II, was released in 1994. Di naman ako puwede magtrabaho don (If that's the case, then I should have had a salary. God would be stupid to borrow Digongs words if He gifts him the vice presidency the second time around. 'Hubert Webb was in PH during Vizconde massacre' - ABS-CBN News He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, Do not cheat him. The Vizconde Massacre. The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (1993) - IMDb The most significant topic that Ive ever written about and which I personally got involved in was the Vizconde massacre. The term dirty politics is appropriate for that kind of set-up. The prescription period does not matter to me, its just a date, he said. It cannot be coached or allured by a promise of reward or financial support. 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. Abadilla Case Petition for Review on Certiorario:http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/abadilla5/docs/A5-FinalAppealPetition.pdf She did not show up at the NBI as a spontaneous witness (only after four years) bothered by her conscience. The President has time and again said that he was very tired of running the country and, if he had his way, would have stepped down. Lauro Vizconde the husband of Estrellita and father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United State on business when the murders took place. April 28, 1995 Jessica Alfaro presents herself as a witness and accuses Hubert Webb. It was based on the rule of the minority and not the majority as they (the SC justices) had enunciated in Fortich v. Vizconde murders - Wikipedia Apart from Alejo, earlier there was another witness, Merlito Herbas. 182555/G.R. 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. 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. But Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, who concurred with the decision, wrote strongly against basing judgement on conjectures: Facts decide cases. 2. A police officer, Gerardo Biong, has also been charged for destroying the evidence at the crime scene. 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. Vizconde Massacre: The hidden Truth. 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. InVizconde case: Jessica Alfaros positive identification was rejected because she did not meet the test of a credible witness and that what she personally saw must be believable, not inherently contrived. Fax: +(852) 2698 6367, Copyright 2023 Asian Human Rights Commission. The story of the Vizconde Massacre wasn't just a single story; it varied as told by a number of witnesses. 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. [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]. al, 1995, G.R. Biong was released from jail on November 30, 2010, after serving his sentence. In a decision dated January 6, 2000, Paraaque Regional Trial Court Judge Amelita Tolentino convicted Webb and the co . I would not have ended up like this if you had not neglected me). Indeed, the testimony of a single witness, when positive and credible, is sufficient to support a conviction even for murder. 176864), it became one of the most sensational cases in the Philippines, being described as a "trial of the century". It took the trial and appeal process in this case fifteen years. The Vizconde Massacre | GMA News Online Sulu in the eyes of my good friend Princess Jacel Kiram is a potential eco-tourism destination and fruit basket of the country. 1 newspaper in terms of circulation and readership. [2] Alfaro said that policeman Gerardo Biong "was instructed by Webb, in my presence, to take care of the house where the incident happened". 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. We have ruled that accused-appellant may not invoke the acquittal of the other conspirators to merit the reversal of his conviction for murder. TV-14. The case was featured on a Philippine TV show Case Unclosed as its ninth episode, "Vizconde Massacre Case. In rejecting the defence of the accused, the SC also affirmed the conjecture the CA had put forward as to the possibility that the accused could have been present or somewhere at the vicinity where the crime took place, as mentioned below: On Joel de Jesus, it was not impossible for him to have gone also Katipunan Avenue (from Quezon City where he was driving), which is also part of Quezon City, not to mention the fact that with his tricycle, he could have easily moved from one place to another; On Rameses de Jesus and Lenido Lumanog, their claims lack credence as they are unsupported by the testimonies of independent witnesses. The SC also held that it was possible for Alfaro to know the details about the Vizconde killings because she had prior access to the details that the investigators knew of the case. 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. Im still hoping for a miracle to happen. InAbadilla case: Both the RTC and the CA did not apply this test of credibility of a witness before accepting the testimony of Alejo. Hopefully, if they will surface, public pressure will snowball and I will finally get the justice I am looking for, he said. ), 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. [24] This was categorically denied by the Supreme Court as Justice Carpio had in fact recused himself from the case and was not going to take part in the deliberation. But Villaramas opinion was not considered by the SC in their majority decision. 24, Rule 134, R. No. The SC, however, upheld the RTC and the CAs judgement that the defence of alibi of the accused is a weak defense, (and that) for it to prosper, the accused must prove not only that he was at some other place at the time of the commission of the crime, but also, that it was physically impossible for him to be or within its immediate vicinity. The case of the Vizconde Massacre took another direction only after four years, when Jessica Alfaro surfaced and became the case's star witness. The NBI is a special investigating body attached to the DoJ. Yes, but what can I do (?). G.R. It is time to heal the past. To find out more, please click this link. Am I dismayed by the decision of the (Supreme Court)? Don't miss out on the latest news and information. The other accused were Artemio Dong Ventura, Michael A. Gatchalian, Hospicio Pyke Fernandez, Peter Estrada, Miguel Ging Rodriguez, and Joey Filart. a contribution to Human Rights work, Asian Human Rights Commission She had been hanging around that agency for sometime as a stool pigeon, one paid for mixing up with criminals and squealing on them. 176864 People of the Philippines vs. Hubert Webb, et. The Vizconde murders remained unsolved for almost four years, until eyewitness Jessica Alfaro, a self-confessed former drug addict, came forward on April 28, 1995, to shed light on the massacre. 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. 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. [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. Hubert Webb of Vizconde Massacre Freed- Breaking News - theAsianparent The Vizconde massacre, dubbed the crime of the 20th century, was my defining moment as a columnist and defender of the oppressed and those. Webb had presented the alibi that he was in the United States when the crime was committed, but he was still found guilty by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court. I got my style of writing when I was a reporter, news writer and newsreader on radio during the pre-martial law era, and as a deskman and feature writer of the Philippines News Agency (PNA). 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. Visconde Masscre - Weebly Be consoled that the truth will always come out, Hernandez advised Vizconde. No. Those initially jailed for. But to Judge Amelita Tolentino of the Paranaque Regional Trial Court, the truth was the account of star witness Jessica Alfaro. [48] Other witnesses say Webb was in the Philippines at the time of the murders. References: This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 03:37. This policewoman is either ignorant of the law or plain lazy. 1. [139] Against positive evidence, alibi becomes most unsatisfactory. Lejano and Ventura also took turns raping Carmela, before finishing her off with numerous stabs. 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. His intention was very, very dubious, he said. I found this As of yesterday, police had arrested and filed criminal charges against six fraternity members suspected to have beaten to death John Matthew Salilig in a twisted concept ofbrotherhood. 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. Aug 5, 2008. A news report on Thursday in Business Mirror that headlined Senate grills defense brass on plans for EDCA expansion, sites raised much curiosity for its sheer lack of detailed information. 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. Firstly, the SC held Alfaro was not a credible witness. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Asuncion, 27, was a constant playmate of Jennifer Vizconde, who was 7 years old when she was killed. It was hard to tell which made up the truth and the lies. Of the 15 Justices, 7 voted for acquittal while four dissented and four Justices, including Carpio, did not participate.[27][28]. Tolentino also said, the photographs and videotapes purportedly showing Webb in the United States appeared to be tampered. Vizconde Massacre | FreebookSummary Violent Vizconde Massacre | Crimes That Shocked Asia - YouTube In this case, the existence of an earlier negative report on the NIIS record on file concerning the entry of appellant Webb into and his exit from the US on March 9, 1991, and October 26, 1992, respectively, had raised serious doubt on the veracity and accuracy of the subsequently issued second certification dated August 31, 1995 which is based merely on a computer print-out of his alleged entry on March 9, 1991, and departure on October 26, 1992. . The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. The politician would only be allowed by the spouse to run if the party that this politician will join can come up with a big amount for their family. Hubert and his co-accused were convicted by the Paraaque Regional Trial Court for the crime on June 6, 2000. Vizconde should go after the national government. The RTC, however, acquitted Delos Santos despite being positively identified also by Alejo as one of those who was present at the crime scene. InVizconde case: The majority of the justices strongly argued against relying on conjectures on deciding the case, particularly on the claim that Hubert Jeffrey could have been in the Philippines, and not in the U.S., when the crime happened. [47], On December 28, 2010, new witnesses have come forward accusing Hubert Webb and others of allegedly being behind the Vizconde massacre.

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