3 men charged for killing neighbor last Christmas

CEBU, Philippines - Three men from Cebu City were indicted before the court for allegedly killing their neighbor on last Christmas Eve.

Cebu City Prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza found probable cause and held Roldan Alpabete and brothers Silvestre and Victor Mendoza for trial for conniving in killing Camilo Monares on December 25, 2014.

“Undoubtedly, probable cause exists for the crime of murder under the facts and circumstances of this case. Respondents can be held for conspiracy due to their concerted actions in helping one another in attacking and seriously injuring the victims,” read the resolution. 

Zaragoza recommended no bail against the three.

Victim’s daughter Cecille Monares, a resident of Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, said the suspects were drunk when they killed her father.

“…respondents appeared to be under the influence of liquor, suddenly came in the front yard of the house wherein one of them madly uttering the words “kinsa isog, gawas” and at the same time striking the house entrance door,” Cecille said, adding her father, who was also under the influence of liquor, went out of the house.

But as soon as Camilo went outside, he was allegedly mauled and stabbed by the suspects until he died.

In her affidavit, witness Chona Romo alleged that she was at their house also celebrating Christmas Eve when she saw the suspects smashing stones at the victim. 

She then saw Cecille grabbed her father but Silvestre allegedly stabbed the victim with a kitchen knife.

When Cecille shouted for help, the suspects fled. 

Zaragoza summoned the three to file their respective counter-affidavits, but the three did not do so, thus, he resolved the complaint based on the evidence of the complainant.

The uncontroverted evidence warrants the finding of probable cause, Zaragoza said.

“Based on the affidavit of complainant and witness Chona Romo, respondents were positively identified and seen as the persons who connived in mauling, stoning, smashing stones and stabbing to death the victim. Their statements and identifications of respondents are credible enough to establish the crime committed by respondents,” the resolution read. — (FREEMAN)