Cop killer gets life

A holdup man who survived a March 1998 shootout which resulted in the death of three men, including a policeman, has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Manila court.

Bhoi Bacunawa was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or as much as 40 years in prison, by Manila Judge Perfecto Laguio Jr. for the death of Senior Police Officer 1 Cirilo Valenzuela during a gun battle in North Harbor, Manila, on March 19, 1998.

Two companions of Bacunawa, who also fired at the surprised cop, were killed in the bloody incident when the lawman managed to return fire along with his patrol partner who was a few meters away.

In convicting the accused, the court gave credence to the testimony of Valenzuela’s partner, Senior Police Officer 1 Stephen Martinez, who was standing some four meters behind him beside their patrol car when the shootout broke out.

The judge rejected Bacunawa’s claim that he was merely prevailed upon by his companions to go with them on the night of the incident on board a motorcycle. He said the lawman began shooting at them when he was about to lie face down on the ground after handing over his driver’s license.

Bacunawa was earlier flagged down by the policemen after the trio sped past the lawmen’s patrol vehicle, prompting the latter to give chase.

As it later turned out, the three had just robbed a couple in neighboring Caloocan City and escaped on board the motorcycle.

When the holdup men stopped on the road side, as Valenzuela was asking the accused for his driver’s license, the two other men drew their firearms and shot the cop. Though wounded, Valenzuela managed to return fire along with Martinez.

A wounded Bacunawa reportedly tried to escape on foot but was later captured.

"SPO1 Martinez has in his favor the presumption of regularity in the performance of his duties, and the records are devoid of evidence that he was improperly motivated to testify falsely against the accused," said Judge Laguio.

The court, however, dismissed violations of the election gun ban and anti-fencing law also lodged against Bacunawa for insufficiency of evidence.

Bacunawa was also ordered to pay the family of Valenzuela P350,000 in damages.

Judge Laguio also sentenced to reclusion perpetua, a vegetable vendor for stabbing to death a gay beautician. The judge relied on the statement of a witness who said he saw the accused stab the victim in the back.

The accused, Raul Ojeda, claimed innocence and pointed to his brother-in-law Marcelino Rabuya, as the killer, based on the reported revelation by the latter’s wife. The alibi was described by the court as the "product of an inventive mind." – Nikko Dizon