TWO murder suspects were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment in the killing of a policeman in Bacolod City in 2010.
In a 13-page decision, Regional Trial Court Branch 43 Judge Fernando Elumba found Gilbert Batayola and Rafael Hipty guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the murder of Police Officer (PO) 1 Engilbert Guadaña in 2010.
The court also ordered Batayola and Hipty to pay the heirs of Guadaña the amount of P100,000 as civil indemnity; P100,000 as moral damages; and P100,000 as exemplary damages.
Former councilor Caesar Distrito, legal counsel of Guadaña’s family and served as the private prosecutor in the murder trial, said Thursday that finally, justice had been served to PO1 Guadaña, whom such a young but promising career had been stopped by such treacherous acts of the suspects.
“They deserved such highest penalty that can be imposed under our law,” he said.
On May 30, 2010, PO1 Guandaña with fellow police officers responded to a complaint of a stabbing incident in Jayme Street, Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
PO1 Guadaña confronted Batayola and Hipty at the compound of the Home for the Blind but, through treachery, taking advantage of superior strength and employment of means to weaken the defense of a person, both took turns at stabbing him.
Guadaña suffered 10 stab wounds which resulted to his demise.
The court said that the testimony of the witnesses and the evidence show that the accused acted in concert and with a unity of purpose to kill Guadaña as after accused Hipty stabbed the said police officer, his co-accused Batayola also took the opportunity to inflict harm by stabbing him.
When Guadaña fell down, both accused continued stabbing him one after the other and that such acts clearly showed that both have a common purpose to kill the victim, it added.
Distrito further said the testimonies of the witnesses as well as the evidences presented clearly pointed out that Batayola and Hipty wilfully and feloniously attacked and stabbed multiple times the victim.
“Their conviction also brought justice in favor of the family of PO1 Guadaña who had been seriously affected by his death,” Distrito said. (MAP)