Ex-newsman gets 40 years for murder

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court yesterday sentenced a former radioman and newspaperman to 40 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of murder.

Aside from imprisonment, RTC Branch 24 Judge Olegario Sarmiento also ordered Hermes Suaring to pay P125,000 to the heirs of Leonardo Alfeche.

Suaring and five unidentified others ambushed Alfeche, Eugenio Lapastora, Winston Bacalso and Romero Bacalso while they were on their way to the house of one Bestring Manoloyo evening on May 31, 1998 in sitio Campawog, barangay Pitalo in San Fernando town.

Alfeche’s group was then preparing for the election of officers of the San Vicente Ferrer Chapel Association wherein Alfeche’s brother, Calvin, was running for president. Calvin was running against a certain Juvy Porciano whose lineup included Suaring’s wife.   Alfeche was hit on the neck, which caused his death while his companions were able to seek cover and run for safety.

Witnesses identified Suaring because of his “jerking mannerism” and the familiarity of his voice being a radioman and a bet caller in the cockpit. Alfeche used to be seen hosting programs on stage making his voice and physical appearance very familiar to those of the residents in a southern town. The witnesses said that after the ambush, they heard Suaring shouting, “Animal mo! Di pa ni mao!”

One of the witnesses also saw Suaring return to the crime scene to check check if the victim is really dead. The witness reportedly recognized Suaring because of his “jerking mannerisms.” In a 30-page decision, Sarmiento dismissed Suaring’s denial and gave credence to the testimonies of the witnesses.

“The court takes advertence to observe that all prosecution witnesses point to the gunman situated on their right to be accused Hermes Suaring and who fired the shot that killed Leonardo Alfeche during the incident,” Sarmiento’s decision read.Suaring was also found positive of gun powder nitrate, which boosted the prosecution’s case.

Suaring claimed that the powder nitrate found on his hands could have been caused by the pyrotechniques he lighted the night when the ambushed occurred.

However, forensic experts testified in court that the powder nitrates found on Suaring’s hands came from a gun. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)