Ex-village exec with 6 murder raps freed

A former barangay chairman of Valenzuela City, who faces multiple murder charges for the killing of six factory workers two years ago in Caloocan City, was released from prison Friday afternoon.

Superintendent Lyndon Torres, Caloocan City Bureau of Jail Management and Penology warden, told The STAR the case against Graciano Victoriano, ex-chairman of Barangay Bignay, was “dismissed provisionally, so the court ordered his release from detention.”

Caloocan City acting presiding judge Oscar Barrientos ordered the provisional dismissal of the case against Victoriano due to “the repeated absence of the key witnesses.”

Graciano and barangay tanods Ricky Flor and Santiago Lumabao, with six others, were charged with killing factory workers Jefferson Agipanan, Arthur Gadorna, Ramon Villanueva, Alfredo Asuero, Judril Meguizo, and Remy Amoro in October 2006.

Police reports said the victims’ bodies were found riddled with bullets at a compound in Caloocan City North on Oct. 1, 2006.

In a follow-up operation, the police arrested Victoriano and some of his barangay tanods after witnesses pointed to them as the alleged perpetrators. Police recovered several pieces of evidence, including the vehicles reportedly used in the crime, at the Bignay barangay hall compound.

Authorities said Victoriano was able to persuade the victims’ kin to withdraw the case filed against him. He was later released.

Superintendent Nap Cuaton, then Caloocan City police investigation chief, petitioned the court against Victoriano’s release and successfully revived the murder case filed against the suspects, who had disappeared from Barangay Bignay.

A few months ago, police were able to arrest Victoriano at a resort in La Union. The other suspects remain at large.

“The provisional decision could still be appealed but if not, in two years’ time it would become final,” Torres said.

The case against the barangay tanods was “sent to archives subject to its revival upon their arrest,” the court order stated. – Pete Laude