Pacificador acquitted in Javier’s murder

The Regional Trial Court Branch 12 in San Jose, Antique yesterday acquitted former Assemblyman Arturo Pacificador for the murder of Antique Gov. Evelio Javier two weeks before the People Power Revolution in 1986.

Judge Rudy Castrojas ordered the immediate release of Pacificador from custody while his lawyer Avelino "Bob" Javellana and five others were found guilty for murder.

Javellana, former Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP) chief of Antique Capt. John Paloy, Vicente Vegafria, Ramon Hortillano, Henry Salaver, Eleazar Idemne and Rolando Bernardino, who is at large, were meted the penalty of reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Except for Paloy, all were former security men of Pacificador.

Also found guilty as an accomplice was Henry Seguerra, who was sentenced to six to 14 years in prison.

Javellana was charged for delivering the firearms and presiding the meeting to plot the killing of Javier.

Javellana and his six co-accused were also meted nine to 17 years for frustrated murder for wounding the laundrywoman inside the comfort room where Javier sought refuge.

Pacificador hailed the verdict saying that he was finally vindicated. The announcement of his acquittal was met by cheers from his supporters who joined him inside the jampacked courtroom. It took the clerk of court seven hours to read the 113-page decision.

Nobody from the family of Javier, a supporter of former President Corazon Aquino, attended the promulgation.