Dominguez carnapping group members sentenced for killing car dealer Venson Evangelista

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has found members of the Dominguez carnapping group guilty of killing car dealer Venson Evangelista in 2011.

According to Allan Gatus’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, Judge Rafael Hipolito of the QC RTC Branch 215 sentenced Roger Dominguez, Jason Miranda, and Rolando Talban to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison for the charge of carnapping with homicide.

They are not eligible for parole.

Another accused, Raymond Dominguez, passed away in 2021 while detained at the New Bilibid Prison.

Evangelista, the son of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption president Arsenio Evangelista, disappeared on January 13, 2011, after accompanying the group, who pretended to be buyers of a Toyota Land Cruiser, for a test drive.

His charred body was found in Cabanatuan City a few days later.

“Anak, maligaya ka na ngayon, I’m sure. Nilaban kita... Finally, after 12 years. Salamat po,” he said.

(Son, you are happy now, I'm sure. I fought for you... Finally, after 12 years.  Thank you.)

The prosecutors were grateful for the court's decision.

“It’s all over. The judgement of conviction is a victory for the Filipino people. The wheels of justice in this country keeps on running,” Bulacan Provincial State Prosecutor Atty. Ramoncito said.

Senior State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said the convicts would not be eligible for parole.

"That makes it easier for us. We don’t have to worry about any application later on,” Fadullon said.

Two policemen of Quezon City who were part of the team who arrested Roger Dominguez also waited for the decision.

“Masayang masaya po kami (We are very happy), speechless po,” one the policemen said.

However, the camp of Roger Dominguez will appeal.

"There was an unfair publicity that was generated against my client. Definitely, we will be filing for motion for reconsideration,” Atty. Oscar Caraan, legal counsel of Dominguez, said.

“It was meticulously decided by the court point by point po yun. So walang kinalaman ang trial by publicity (The trial by publicity has nothing to do with it),” Irene Ressureccion, city prosecutor, said. —VBL/NB, GMA Integrated News