2 men meted reclusion perpetua for killing cop

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were sentenced reclusion perpetua, or 20 to 40 years in prison, by the court for robbing and killing a policewoman at the South Road Properties five years ago.

Judge Generosa Labra of Regional Trial Court Branch 23 found guilty beyond reasonable doubt to John Irish Daan and Ismael Secretaria for the crime of robbery with homicide.

Labra likewise ordered the two to pay the heirs of the victim, SPO2 Teofanes Castro, P50,000.

Labra ruled the denial of the respondents cannot be given weight as the eyewitness Minerva Villaro clearly identified Daan who took the valuables of Castro after he shot the victim together with other accused.

Villaro said on March 9, 2006 at 11:00 p.m., she was in front of Evergreen Memorial Park together with Castro and other friend when they saw four persons, one of whom was Daan, shot the victim.

She added because of shock she ran away and kept on looking back at the scene to check if she was being followed and saw the four busy frisking the body of Castro and taking her valuables.

The policewoman lost her cell phone worth P14,000; her service pistol; IDs; pay slips and other pertinent documents.

Villaro said she was not able to identify the other two suspects.

However, Secretaria testified in court that the day of the incident, he was invited by his nephew. Daan to have a drinking spree in Kawit, but they did not reach the said place as the latter told him to wait.

Minutes after he heard a gun burst but did not know where it came and then later saw a person lying on the ground. He added Daan told him to get the firearm but he refused.

Daan however insisted his innocence on the crime, saying he do not know Castro and he only learned of the incident after he was arrested and detained on March 12, 2006 in Talisay City Police Station.

However, Judge Labra ruled the denial of the two cannot surpass the statements of the witnesses of the prosecution.

Labra added the elements of robbery with homicide were proven. – THE FREEMAN