Ex-councilor convicted of murder after 32-year trial

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A former Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member of Pilar, Capiz was found guilty of murder after a 32-year trial.

Former SB member Armando Vasquez was convicted for killing Salvador Bacanto, Sr. of Barangay San Esteban, Pilar 32 years ago.

In a 16-page decision penned by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16 Presiding Judge Kristine Tiangco-Vinculado, Vasquez was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt and meted the penalty of reclusion perpetua.

He was ordered to pay Bacanto’s heirs P75,000 in death indemnity, P75,000 moral damages and P75,000 exemplary damages.

The incident happened on June 18, 1988 where two minor children of the victim witnessed their father’s death.

The case was filed before the Provincial Prosecutors Office on July 12, 1988.

The two other accused were Warlito Delamide and Jesus Barana. But Vasquez left the country for abroad.

On November 7, 1991, the court dismissed the case against Delamide and Barana, but warrant of arrest was issued by the court against Vasquez.

In 1996, Vasquez went home and posted bail for the said case for his temporary liberty. But he left again for other countries without finishing the hearing of the murder case.

On March 29, 2016, Vasquez again went home and surrendered to the police. He is presently detained at the Capiz Rehabilitation Center in Brgy. Lawaan here.