CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court sentenced to 14 years imprisonment a cigarette vendor after finding him guilty of homicide for stabbing his brother-in-law to death two years ago.
The suspect, Esrael Gerali, denied the charges, but Judge Gabriel Ingles said his denial is not enough to exonerate him from charges.
The prosecution said the incident happened about 10 pm on May 10, 2008 when Gerali and the victim, Vicente del Carmen, were drinking with some visitors to celebrate the fiesta in barangay Tungkil, Minglanilla town.
Gerali reportedly requested his sister, Carmelita, the wife of the victim, that they would use the couple’s television for a singing session. However, when Carmelita refused, Gerali allegedly got mad and pulled out a bolo. Del Carmen reportedly tried to pacify the suspect, but Gerali instead stabbed him several times.
Del Carmen was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, but he was declared dead on arrival.
Ciriaco Jumawan, 45, a resident of Tabunok, Talisay City also testified that he saw Gerali bringing a long white knife and stab Del Carmen.
PO1 Rodulfo Quilala Jr., one of the responding officers, told the court they were able to seize the bolo Gerali used to stab Del Carmen. It was reportedly a certain Paulino Tabay, a neighbor of the victim, who found the bolo near a banana plant.
Gerali eventually surrendered voluntarily to the police. He was escorted by close friends Eugene Mantalaba and Roland Caonigo when he surrendered.
For his defense, Gerali said he was at his house when he heard a commotion outside. He reportedly wanted to go to Del Carmen’s residence to check what was happening, but his wife reportedly stopped him.
The court, however, gave more weight on the case of the prosecution and, aside from imprisonment, ordered Gerali to pay P111,009 for actual and moral damages to Del Carmen’s wife. (FREEMAN NEWS)