Lawyer’s killer gets stiff jail sentence; masterminds hunted

BAGUIO CITY -- The Regional Trial Court here has sentenced the principal suspect in the murder of lady lawyer, who was employed at the Public Attorney’s Office to imprisonment of at least 20 years even as the masterminds are due to be arrested.

Judge Fernando Vil Pamintuan of TRC Branch 3, in a recent decision, convicted Benedict Fasong, self-confessed assassin of lawyer Eugenia Campol.

During the arraignment, Fasong pleaded guilty to the crime of murder. The guilty plea prompted the court to reduce the penalty from reclusion perpetua to a maximum of 20-year jail term.

Records showed Fasong admitted in an extrajudicial confession executed on Feb. 5 that he killed the lady lawyer for a fee of P 70,000, saying he and a certain “Benjamin Amaranged” were hired by a certain “Pablo Forag” who was allegedly asked by a friend to kill Campol.

In a Feb.23, 2007 document which corrected the extrajudicial confession executed on Dec.23, 2006, Fasong recanted his earlier statement naming former Boliney (Abra) Mayor Benido Balaoas, Mayor Ronald Balaoas, Barangay captain Julius Balaoas and Councilor Lino Boy-os as masterminds in killing.

He said the extrajudicial statement implicating the four persons as masterminds was a ready document, which he was reportedly forced to sign for fear of being killed.

It was learned that it was Forag, who allegedly commissioned him to kill Campol and who also handed to him the P 20,000 down payment including the P50,000 full payment.

Pamintuan ruled that in view of the plea of guilt, Fasong was convicted of the murder.

He also ordered to pay P50,000 in indemnity for the death of the lady PAO lawyer.

Prosecutors said the Campol case is not yet over, saying there would be more developments to be expected with the identification of masterminds in the killing.

Two warrants had been issued by the court for the arrest of Amaranged and Forag who will face separate trials relative to the controversial case.