Rob victim gets 30 years: For kidnap, slay try on former suspect

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City court has convicted a robbery victim and her accomplice for kidnapping and trying to kill a former suspect who refused to testify against another respondent in the case.

In a 12-page decision released to the media yesterday, Judge Charito Gonzales of the Regional Trial Court Branch 80 sentenced Francia Regachuelo and Jorge Laguno to reclusion perpetua  – at least 30 years in prison, after which they become eligible for pardon – after the court found them guilty of kidnapping Christian Philip Galera on Jan. 11, 2009.

“It was proven by the prosecution that the two accused kidnapped or detained Galera, or in any other manner deprived Galera of his liberty. The testimony of Galera on this point is definite,” read the order released to the media yesterday.

Based on earlier reports, Galera was tagged in a 2007 heist at Regachuelo’s house where around P1 million worth of valuables were taken. The case against Galera was later dismissed by the city prosecutor’s office.

Galera – a tricycle driver – said Laguno earlier introduced himself as a policeman and directed him to Kamias in Quezon City, where the vehicle driven by Regachuelo was waiting.

He said he was forced to board the vehicle and the two brought him to Laguna, where he was stabbed in the back by Laguno after he refused to testify against other suspects tagged in the 2007 robbery.

Galera said he was able to escape and get help by parrying the second attack of Laguno.

In their defense, the suspects claimed that they did not force Galera to board their vehicle and that they went to Laguna to meet someone involved in the robbery case.

Laguno also claimed that it was Galera who took out a knife, and that the complainant was injured during their struggle over the knife.

The judge took note of the testimony of Galera, who said he tried to ask Laguno and Regachuelo to allow him to go home. “For there to be kidnapping, it is enough that the victim is restrained from going home,” the decision read.

The judge also noted that the court cannot believe that Galera would casually leave his tricycle in Kamias and board the vehicle with the suspects.

“The only logical explanation is that Galera was forced to leave his tricycle behind and that he was forced to board Regachuelo’s vehicle,” Gonzales said.