The Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Wednesday found guilty the three accused in the carnapping with homicide case involving Venson Evangelista, the son of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption president Arsenio Evangelista.
QC RTC Branch 215 Judge Rafael Hipolito sentenced Rolando Talban, the self-confessed gunman, with Jason Miranda and Roger Dominguez to reclusion perpetua or 40 years of imprisonment for the death of the younger Evangelista.
“Venson, you took me here. I promised you at that time to fight endlessly for you. I am willing to take the bullet just to see you get justice. Son, I love you so much,” Arsenio said tearfully to the media.
A counsel of Dominguez, lawyer Oscar Caraan, said they plan to file a motion for reconsideration against Hipolito’s decision.
According to the case files, on Jan. 13, 2011, a supposed buyer, who pretended to be a transvestite, and a mechanic went to the Evangelista’s showroom in Cubao, Quezon City to inquire about a second-hand Toyota Land Cruiser.
Venson allowed the two suspects to test drive the vehicle. Days later, police saw his burned body in Barangay Buliran, Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.
Talban, Dominguez, and Miranda were members of the Dominguez organized crime syndicate, according to the police.