Regional Trial Court Branch 8 Judge Salvador Ibarreta meted a sentence of reclusion perpetua on broadcaster Joey Herbolingo, Henry Adriano, Army Lt. Adrian Sievert and Pvt. Roberto Gocila for the killing of councilor Cesar Robillo.
In a 74-page decision, Ibarreta ordered the four convicts to pay Robillo’s family P200,000 in actual damages, P20,000 in exemplary damages and P120,000 in attorney’s fees, on top of the P1.5 million for the councilor’s unearned income.
Two of the suspects, Army Maj. Mario Monsanto and Ariel Yanong, were acquitted of the murder charges. Another suspect, Cpl. Roberto Bibe, died sometime in 1996.
The eighth suspect, Cesar Damaso, is still at large. Robillo was killed inside the piano bar of the family-owned Hotel Maguindanao at the corner of C.M. Recto and San Pedro streets here.
"The court finally made its decision after 10 years. It was a long wait on our part. I had mixed feelings about the whole process but at least the death of my husband was finally given justice," said Mabel Acosta-Robillo, the slain councilor’s wife.