Verdict for couple in 2011 botched robbery out today

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Branch 19 is scheduled to hand down a verdict today on live-in partners Junjun Cabando and Merlyn Laguitao who are facing robbery with homicide charges.

The two are the main accused in the botched robbery of a bank teller in Fuente Osmeña three years ago. They earlier pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges but changed their mind so that Laguitao can be released from jail.

 They asked for a re-arraignment on November 5, 2014 and gave a guilty plea.

Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Aida Sanchez said earlier that the couple pleaded guilty to the offense charged so that Laguitao can be released from jail to take care of their one-year-old daughter.

She was indicted as accessory to simple robbery, which holds the penalty of only two years to four years of imprisonment.

Cabando and Laguitao filed a motion to plea bargain before Judge Navarro.

In their motion, they said they wanted to withdraw their ‘not guilty’ plea and enter a new plea of ‘guilty’ to the crime charged.

Rojo earlier said the motion was filed in good faith without any dilatory motive.

Cabando was charged for robbery with homicide.

Cabando plead not guilty on August 14, 2012 while Laguitao plead not guilty on November 7, 2012.

Aside from Cabando and Laguitao, Rolien Castro and Francis Raagas were likewise charged before the court. Raagas remained at large.

The incident on September 5, 2011 resulted in the deaths of two security guards and injury of a bank teller and two policemen.

Escorted by two security guards, Lewen Surig was delivering P1.2 million cash to a money changer inside the mall when the group of the accused approached the latter and demanded for the bag of money.

The accused’ three companions were killed during an encounter with the policemen when they tried to flee. — (FREEMAN)