Three men were sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment by Regional Trial Court Branch 45 Judge Eliseo Geolingo after they admitted killing their neighbor in Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental last year.

Geolingo also ordered Jose Tumaquin, his brother Jonardo Tumaquin, and their cousin Jonbe Benitin to each pay the family of the victim, Miguel Gatanilla, P50,000 as civil indemnity.

The respondents told the court they decided on their own to admit to the crime, and that no one forced or influenced them to do so. They said they understand that by admitting the crime, they will be meted appropriate penalties under the law.

Court records show that the trio ganged up on, and hacked Gatanilla sometime on July 14, 2011 in Brgy. Bunga down Salvador Benedicto, causing his death.

Jose Tumaquin said he and Gatanilla argued and this led to the hacking. A witness also told the court that the two other respondents helped in killing Gatanilla.*APN

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