3 sentenced to life in Makati murder case

Three persons were sentenced to life imprisonment in Makati City for their involvement in the murder of their employer three years ago.

Anita Cambarejan-Panes, 38, her brother Romeo, 30; and Ronnie Begasa 46, were also meted an additional 10 years for the robbery charge. A fourth suspect, Victor Dimapilis, 27, died while detained at the Makati City jail on 1998.

Judge Sixto Marella of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 138, sentenced the four accused after finding them guilty of conspiring to kill their employer, Marcel Ortega Rosete. The victim was found dead with 34 stab wounds inside his apartment in Pateros Street, Barangay Olympia, Makati City on Dec. 16, 1997.

The lone witness, Emily Carreon, who served as a nanny of the victim’s children, testified that Ronnie Begasa and Dimapilis entered Rosete’s home around 11:30 a.m. on the day of the crime with the help of Panes, then a housemaid.

Carreon said she asked Panes why she allowed the two men to enter the house. She then replied that Dimapilis was applying for a job as a driver, Carreon added.

In their defense, the accused claimed that Rosete was killed by the robbers who entered the house. They claimed the robbers took a camera, P25,000 cash; stock certificates worth P60,000, three pieces of firearms and cash amounting US$200 before killing Rosete.

But the court dismissed their story as not credible. The court also noted that the accused harbored ill-feelings against their employer.– Marvin Sy