Court convicts man who robbed, shot 73-year-old vendor

CEBU, Philippines - A man who robbed and shot a 73-year-old vendor in Minglanilla, Cebu was convicted by the Regional Trial Court.

Ronald Labora was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for robbery with attempted homicide, and was sentenced to 10 to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay P30,000 as moral damages.

Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 said he cannot entertain Labora’s alibi that he was somewhere else during the incident, considering that he was positively identified by witnesses to be the same person who bought gasoline from the store of victim Rosela Abella shortly before the robbery on February 15, 2012.

 “Evaluating the evidence presented by the prosecution, it is the opinion of this court that the amount the evidence presented has proven the guilt of the accused,” read the decision.

Abella, a resident of Barangay Campo 7, Minglanilla, alleged that upon waking up at 5 a.m. on the said date, she heard the arrival of a motorcycle in front of her store.

Labora, who was driving the motorcycle, told Abella that he wanted to buy a bottle of gasoline.

 When she demanded for the payment, Abella said, Labora pointed a gun at her and declared a hold-up.

The suspect then entered the store and took an estimated amount of P2,000.

Abella further narrated that the suspect then aimed the gun at her husband, 80-year-old Valentin, when he saw him. Abella was able to escape and sought for assistance.

However, she heard a gunfire and realized that she was hit in her left thigh.

Valentin said while he and Labora were grappling for the gun, it went off, hitting his wife.

Other witnesses were presented to corroborate the testimonies of the couple.

Labora denied the allegations, alleging that a day prior to the incident, he was in another area in the town together with his cousin to attend a disco.

However, his cousin allegedly figured in a trouble and when he approached and tried to pacify, out of nowhere, he was hit by gunshots in his abdomen and thigh.

After the incident, Labora said he was brought to the hospital and stayed there for 20 days.

Peras, however, ruled in favor of the prosecution.

He said the denial of the suspect cannot overweigh the testimonies and identification of the prosecution witnesses. (FREEMAN)