By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:34:00 12/14/2010
Filed Under: Crime and Law and Justice, Crime
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 3) The Supreme Court acquitted Hubert Webb and eight others for the murders of Estrellita Vizconde, and daughters Carmela and Jennifer, its spokesman said Tuesday.
Webb is the son of former senator Freddie Webb.
“The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt [that the crime was committed by the accused]. Supreme Court pointed to inconsistencies in the evidence of the prosecution, particularly the testimony of principal witness Jessica Alfaro,” lawyer Midas Marquez said.
The high tribunal also ordered the release of Webb, Antonio Lejano II, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, and Hospicio Fernandez as soon as possible.
Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura, who remain at large, and former police officer Gerardo Biong, who was recently released after completing his sentence, were also acquitted of the grisly crime.
They were “ordered released as soon as possible unless they are being held for other charges,” Marquez said. It is not known if they are facing other charges in other courts.
Webb, Lejano, Gatchalian, Rodriguez, Estrada, and Fernandez were convicted for the 1991 murders.
