MANILA, Philippines — A Taguig City court has sentenced National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant and spokesman Concha Araneta to life in prison over a murder case in Aklan almost 47 years ago.
In a court ruling dated June 28, Araneta, who reportedly uses the alias Maria Concepcion Araneta, Chacon, Jojo and Etang, was found guilty of killing Metudio Inisa in 1975.
Araneta was convicted of murder by Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266 Judge Marivic Vitor.
The Department of Justice said the promulgation of the judgment was done in absentia “considering that Araneta has not appeared before the court since the suspension of peace negotiations with the government.”
Court records showed that Inisa was staying with his brother-in-law Marcos Gregorio in Sitio Agbanuod, Madalag, Aklan on Sept. 18, 1975 to attend a wedding when nine persons – seven men and two women – armed with handguns arrived at the house.
Araneta, who introduced himself as a member of the New People’s Army, asked Inisa why he joined the Philippine Constabulary.
When there was no reply, Araneta drew a gun and fired at Inisa.
Police said Araneta’s companions also fired at the victim.
The murder case against Araneta and the other suspects was initially filed before the Kalibo Regional Trial Court. It was re-raffled to the Taguig RTC on July 4, 2019.
Araneta pleaded not guilty to the crime on Aug. 28, 2015.
Last April, Araneta’s lawyer filed a motion to withdraw from the case for not being able to communicate with her for the last three years.