Tuesday, June 20, 2006 (Philippines)

Brothers Laputan, Maximo (right) and Concordio, hug each other after hearing the decision of RTC Judge Raphael Yrastorza dismissing the charge of rape with homicide against them. The court asked the Board of Claims of the Department of Justice to pay the brothers P10,000 each to compensate tor their nine-month stay in jail. That obviously doesn’t include the shame and humiliation and the loss of liberty caused by the filing of the charges.(Sunstar photo/Amper Campaña) A father and an uncle could have been spared suffering nine months in jail if the filing of a rape with homicide case had not been done in haste, a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge said yesterday. RTC Judge Raphael Yrastorza dismissed the case against brothers Maximo, 40, and Concordio Laputan, 46. He found the filing of the case “unnecessary.” He even recommended that the state give Maximo and Concordio P10,000 each “to assuage the harm already done.” [full story]