DOJ will file case against Vizconde massacre suspects before June 30

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima, saying she is bent on revealing the truth behind the 1991 Vizconde massacre case, has assured that they are working to meet the June 30 deadline to file a case against the suspects.

“That’s what we are doing. That’s what we are trying to achieve. We are bent on beating the deadline,” De Lima told reporters in an interview at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters on Friday.

The prosecution needs to formally file a case in court against the suspects before the 20-year prescriptive period expires, otherwise the case would be considered closed.

Hubert Webb, son of actor and former senator Freddie Webb and six others who were earlier convicted for the massacre had been cleared of the charges by the Supreme Court.

When asked about Webb’s assertion that he could not be charged again for the same crime, De Lima said the truth will be out following the reinvestigation of the case.

“Of course he is confident since he was already acquitted. We know that. Whatever the result of our investigation, they cannot be brought back to prison. Right. That’s why he is very confident. But as to whether or not that’s the truth, that’s what we are going to reveal,” De Lima said.

Without giving details, the DOJ chief earlier said there is a breakthrough in the reinvestigation being conducted by the NBI.

The NBI conducted a reinvestigation of the case after the Supreme Court, voting 7-4 ruled that the Parañaque regional trial court erred when it handed down a guilty verdict on Webb, Hospicio “Pyke” Fernandez, Antonio “Tony Boy” Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Peter Estrada, Miguel “Ging” Rodriguez and Gerardo Biong for the murders of Estrelita Vizconde, 47; and daughters Carmela, 18; and Jennifer, 7 on June 30, 1991.