Man get 40 years for robbery-slay

CEBU, Philippines – The court has sentenced to reclusion perpetua or 40 years in prison a man for the robbery and killing of a university staff in barangay Sambag I, Cebu City almost nine years ago.

Ruben Fernandez was found guilty of robbery with homicide after witnesses positively identified him as the one who shot and killed Demetrio Villar in the morning of September 29, 2000 along Urgello Street.

Fernandez reportedly robed Villar, an auditor’s staff at the Southwestern University, but the latter resisted.

However, Fernandez pulled a handgun and shot Villar several times. The victim lost not only his clutch bag but his dear life as well.

Fernandez denied killing the victim, telling the court that he was a man of good standing in the barangay. He claimed that the police had set him up.

He even presented former Sambag I barangay captain Hever Buot to prove that he has no derogatory record in the barangay.

According to Fernandez, he was just sitting in a multi-cab together with his friend when the police invited him to go with them.

The police allegedly took him to a disserted house along B. Rodriguez Street where he was tortured and forced to admit the crime.

He identified Police Inspector Crisanto Doque as one of the policemen who allegedly mauled him. He said the police were not able to force him to admit but a pack of shabu was allegedly planted in his pocket which was made as basis for his arrest.

But Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Olegario Sarmiento dismissed his claims.

Sarmiento ruled that while it is not far from the truth that he may have been subjected to physical torture to admit the case and that the police filed a drug case against him to have him in custody, his identification by the witnesses was strong enough to convict him.

In a 19-page decision, Sarmiento said he could not find any ill motive on the part of the witnesses who did not know the accused.

On top of the 40 years imprisonment, the court ordered Fernandez to pay Villar’s widow P241,868 in moral and exemplary damages, including reimbursements of all the expenses during the death of the victim and the litigation costs. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)