Store helper gets 14 years for arson

A Manila judge sentenced yesterday a man to 14 years for allegedly setting on fire the store where he worked as a helper on Blumentritt street in Sta. Cruz four years ago.

Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada of Regional Trial Court Branch 41 found Fernando Sulayao guilty of arson. The judge refused to consider allegations of Salayao that he was a minor at the time of the incident because the accused failed to show a birth certificate to prove his young age.

Ponferrada also ordered Sulayao to pay Ellen Lim, owner of the P.E. Trader Center, P1.5 million, the amount of property destroyed in the fire, which took place at around 5:20 a.m. on May 7, 1998.

Prior to the incident, Lim told the court that she scolded Sulayao for touching the shoulder of fellow store helpers. Sulayao was embarrassed by the incident.

When the owner and other helpers left the store, Sulayao set the store on fire by pouring kerosene on the floor of the store’s bodega on the second level of the establishment.

Witnesses claimed to have seen Sulayao coming out of the bodega before the fire engulfed the store.

Prosecutor Antonio Rebecay also managed to present to the court Sulayao’s letter to Lim asking for forgiveness for the damaged caused by the fire.

"The foregoing factual circumstances ineluctably showed the accused set the P.E. Traders Stores on fire," Ponferrada added.

Meanwhile, three suspected robbers were arrested over the weekend in Marikina City while allegedly about to pull off a robbery.

Superintendent Cipriano Querol, Marikina City police chief, said the suspects, Reggie Ronquillo, 25, of Antipolo City; Rolando Rosario, 26, and Dennis Monsera, 29, both of West Rembo, Makati City yielded a caliber .38 revolver and two fan knives. – Cecille Suerte Felipe and Non Alquitran