The Regional Trial Court Branch 32 in Dumaguete City yesterday sentenced the two accused in the killing of a student of Silliman University to 17 years  after they pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of homicide, from the original one of robbery with homicide.

RTC Branch 32 Judge Rodrick Maxino also ordered accused Lelbe Bazar Mabanag and Christopher Bagaan Nerona to indemnify the family of Miraluna Gabato, P77,000, pay P38,328.14 as actual damages for expenses incurred, P50,000 each for moral and exemplary damages, the cost of litigation, and to return the money stolen from the victim, worth P16,400.

Gabato, 26, a business administration student of SU was killed and her sister, Melunie, was injured, when the two accused entered their rented apartment in Sibuilan town, Negros Occidental, on November 6, 2014. The men, whose wives were relatives of the victims, were arrested in Moal-boal, Cebu, four days after the incident.

Maxino said he was happy to note that the accused recognized and admitted  committing the crime.

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