BACOLOD City – The Regional Trial Court, Branch 42 found guilty two men in the death of a police officer of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
In a 13-page decision, Judge Fernando Elumba sentenced Gilbert Batayola and Rafael Hipty to a life in prison (maximum of 40 years) at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.
Police Officer 1 Engilbert Guadaña was killed on May 30, 2010 while responding to a stabbing incident at the Home for the Blind on Jayme Street, Barangay Mansilingan.
According to the court, Batayola and Hipty, treacherously took turns stabbing Guadaña.
The police officer died of 10 stab wounds.
Even when Guadaña already fell down, both accused continued stabbing, clearly showing that both intended to kill, according to former Bacolod City councilor Caesar Distrito, legal counsel of the Guadaña family.
“Finally, justice has been served to Guadaña, a young policeman with a promising career but stopped by the treacherous acts of the suspects. They deserve such highest penalty that can be imposed under our law,” said Distrito./PN
