CA orders Dumpit’s bail released

CEBU, Philippines — The Court of Appeals 20th division has ordered the cancellation and release of the cash bond posted by controversial policeman Adonis Dumpit, who was killed in a drug operation in Bohol Province last year.

Police Master Sergeant Adonis Dumpit posted a P250,000 bail before the Regional Trial Court in Abuyog, Leyte, for his temporary liberty in 2016. This after his petition for bail was granted pending the appeal of his homicide case.

“The cash bond posted by accused-appellant Dumpit…in the amount of P250,000 covered by Official Receipt No.4536533 is ordered cancelled and released to his lawful heirs or their duly authorized representative,” read the resolution.

Associate Justice Louis P. Acosta, in his penned decision, ruled on the cancellation and release of Dumpit’s cash bond following his death in an alleged shootout during a joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigation-Bohol and the Philippine National Police.

The Court of Appeals set aside the decision of Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6 in Cebu City convicting Dumpit of homicide in 2014. He was sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six years to nine years and four months.

The homicide case was filed after Dumpit was accused of killing Ronron Go in 2004 in Sitio Villagonzalo 2, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

He appealed his conviction before the CA and insisted that he shot Go out of self-defense. He claimed he was only performing his job when he responded to the robbery alarm involving the alleged group of Go.

The Court of Appeals, upon the manifestation to inform the court of the death of Dumpit and omnibus motion for the dismissal of the case, said the cancellation and release of the cash bond is granted.

“Here, Dumpit's death came during the pendency of his appeal before this Court. Following Article 89(1) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and the guidelines set forth in the Bayotas case, Dumpit's criminal liability as well as his civil liabilities solely arising from and based on the crime committed had been extinguished by his death prior to final judgment,” the resolution read. — BRP (FREEMAN)