5 get life for Antipolo trader’s kidnap-slay

MANILA, Philippines — Five people have been sentenced to life in prison in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a businessman in Antipolo City in 2013.

The Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 138 found Romeo Baluran, Mark Stanly Banghulot, Rudy Benega, Teody Maghuyop and Adam Paulin guilty for the kidnap and murder of Jose Saribong.

In a ruling promulgated on April 16, the court sentenced the defendants to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole, and ordered them to pay the family of the victim P100,000 each in civil indemnity and P890,000 in actual damages.

Records showed the accused seized Saribong in Barangay Mayamot in January 2013, and shot dead his driver.

The kidnappers demanded P40 million in exchange for the release of the businessman.

When the family managed to pay only P890,000, the kidnappers killed Saribong and buried him in a farm in Barangay San Isidro.

The court based the ruling on the testimony of Randie Bongabong, a member of the group who turned state witness.