Man convicted of homicide

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has convicted a man for homicide after he pleaded guilty to a lesser offense for killing his wife in 2008.

Acting presiding judge Lauro Castillo Jr. of Branch 5 sentenced Kelvin Cañada to imprisonment for 10 years and one day to 17 years.

"Wherefore, premises considered and based on the voluntary plea of guilty of accused to the crime of homicide, he is hereby found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of homicide," the order reads.

Castillo also ordered Cañada to pay the heirs of the victim, Haide Marie Cañada, P50,000 in civil indemnity and P50,000 in moral damages.

Kelvin was arrested on August 2, 2008 for killing his wife.

According to the affidavit of the arresting officer, PO3 Mikie Espina, who lives near the residence of the Cañada's, he heard their neighbor shouting for help and when he verified outside, he saw Kelvin with a stone on hand and was hitting the head of his wife several times.

"That immediately I shouted towards the suspect to stop and at the same time approaching near him and at that juncture after suspect heard me, he ran away, however, I quickly chased him and collared him," he said, adding that he introduced himself as a policeman and recited to Kelvin his constitutional rights under the law.

Rodrigo dela Torre, the brother of the victim, said it was the following day, August 3, 2008, when he was informed that his sister was killed by Kelvin.

"That they informed me that my sister was stabbed by her spouse at their residence at Sitio Kalmar, Lawaan, with the use of a knife one in her chest and four times in her back over alleged jealousy of the suspect," he said, adding that Kelvin was not contented and smashed the head of his sister with a stone. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)