Couple shifts to guilty plea for 2011 robbery

CEBU, Philippines -  Live-in partners Junjun Cabando and Merlyn Laguitao have pleaded guilty to the robbery with homicide and simple robbery charges filed against them in relation to the botched robbery on a bank teller three years ago.

Cabando and Laguitao made the new plea during re-arraignment yesterday following a motion for a plea bargain agreement they filed earlier. In that motion, they said they would withdraw their earlier plea of “not guilty”.

The couple’s lawyer, Lail Rojo, said the motion was filed in good faith and without any dilatory motive.

Laguitao was charged as accessory to the crime of simple robbery under Article 294 (5) of the Revised Penal Code while Cabando was charged for robbery with homicide.

Cabando pleaded not guilty on August 14, 2012 while Laguitao plead not guilty on November 7, 2012.

Assistant Cebu City Prosecutor Aida Sanchez told the media that the couple pleaded guilty to the offense so that Laguitao could be released from jail to take care of their one-year-old daughter.

She said that as accessory to the crime of simple robbery, the penalty is only two years to four years of imprisonment.

Aside from Cabando and Laguitao, Rolien Castro, who was out on bail and Francis Raagas who remained at large were sued before the court.

The incident, which occurred on September 5, 2011, resulted in the deaths of two security guards. The bank teller and two policemen were also wounded.

The court has scheduled the promulgation of the case on December 8, 2014. – (FREEMAN)