Sandiganbayan upholds conviction of Jaylo, 3 others

The Sandiganbayan’s first division has affirmed its April 17, 2007 decision sentencing former police captain Reynaldo Jaylo and three others to 14 years’ imprisonment for killing Army Col. Rolando de Guzman, Maj. Franco Calanog and civilian Avelino Nepomuceno during a drug sting operation in Makati City in July 1990.

In a resolution promulgated last May 26, the division ruled that it cannot give due course to the defendants’ appeal because they failed to show up before the court when the verdict was rendered despite official summons.

Jaylo, patrolman Edgardo Castro, Pfc. William Valenzona and Antonio Habalo Jr. – who are all at large – were convicted of homicide and ordered to pay P50,000 to the heirs of each of their victims.

The case against Castro was dismissed since he died before the verdict became final and executory.

In their appeal, Jaylo, Valenzona and Habalo said they were denied their “substantive rights” when the court convicted them even in their absence. 

The Sandiganbayan, however, said the notices were individually sent to the defendants and their counsel, former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez.   – Edu Punay