The first was Joseph Vizcara, who, last February 10, was caught carrying away cable wire belonging to Innove Communications, Inc. The cable wire, allegedly taken from barangay Tuyan, Naga town, was said to be worth P132,000.
When arraigned last May 19 Vizcara pleaded not guilty. However, during the pre-trial conference the accused bargained for the lesser offense of theft, penalized under paragraph 2, Article 309 of the Revised Penal Code. The private complainant agreed.
With this, Regional Trial Court Branch 7 judge Simeon Dumdum Jr. found Vizcara "guilty beyond reasonable doubt as principal to the crime of theft."
The court penalized Vizcara to two years and four months up to six years in jail. He was also directed to pay P132,000 to Innove Communications as indemnity.
In another case, Allan Rafols and Jaime Generalao were accused of stealing 400 pieces of copper cable and telephone wires worth P240, 318.56.
When arraigned Rafols entered a guilty plea.
"Appreciating in his favor the mitigating circumstance of voluntary plea of guilty and there being a confirmation from the private complainant that they are agreeable to the plea bargaining of the accused, and considering further the provisions of the Indeterminate Sentence Penalty Law," RTC Branch 10 judge Soliver Peras said in his decision dated July 20. With that, Rafols to suffer four years and two months up to six years and 10 months in prison.
Peras also ordered the arrest of Generalao who is still at large.- Liv G. Campo