Victim’s dad dreams of son: Baguio massacre suspect mauled on way to jail after court hearing

BAGUIO CITY – Angry relatives of five persons allegedly slain by Philip T. Avino, prime suspect in the so-called “Baguio massacre” mauled him as he was escorted away from a scheduled court hearing here April 6.

The courtroom was emotionally-charged as nearly everyone was expecting Avino, also known as “Michael Geronimo,” to enter a plea at his arraignment on five counts of murder before Judge Mia Joy Cawed of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4.

But the anxiety of family members and relatives of the murder victims —siblings Jacqueline Kate Nociete, 19, and Joey, 9; two playmates of Joey – Raymond del Mondo, 8, and Dave John, 7; and housemaid Jonalyn Lozano, 32 — reached a feverish pitch when the judge decided to postpone the arraignment.

Atty. Debbie del Val of the Public Attorney’s Office, the counsel representing Avino, requested the court to reschedule the arraignment to give her time to read the documents and personally interview her client. Judge Cawed reset the arraignment for May 26.

Personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and some personnel of the Baguio City Police Office moved to escort Avino from the Baguio Hall of Justice back to the City Jail, but as they reached the street, the mob struck.

In the middle of the road, about 50 meters away from the city jail, angry relatives launched punches and kicked Avino.

Security escorts had to bodily cover the suspect and fend off the attackers, who shouted invectives at the man accused of stabbing each of the five victims to death inside an apartment on 2nd Kayang Street, Hilltop Market, this city last April 6.

Insp. Kate Awingan, chief of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Unit, said the postponement was due to conflicting statements that Avino was giving, saying he is innocent, some

body else did the crime, and that he was just asked to do it.

This, as Dominador de Guzman father of one of the victims Dave Jhon said he dreamt of his son last May 1, the day the police’s Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives (SOCO) released DNA test results that put Avino at the crime scene.

A DNA sample from Avino matched that which the SOCO team lifted from the blood-splattered apartment on 2nd Kayang Street, Hilltop Market, where the killer’s belt and shorts were found.

The apartment also yielded the bodies of siblings Jacqueline Kale Nociete, 19, and Joey, 9; two playmates of Joey – Raymond del Mondo, 8, and Dave John, 7; and housemaid Jonalyn Lozano, 32. All bore multiple stab wounds.

 Dominador said all vengeance he has is already left with God. “Bahala na angDiyos na umusig at patawan siya (Avino) ng kaparusahan,” he said.

He said he dreamt of his son telling him: “’Tayurongkanamantabitayo (move a bit so I can sit beside you).”

He turned around and saw DJ smiling, wearing his red shirt and jeans, and then told him: “Pa-kiss nga? (Let me kiss you).” DJ gave him a kiss and a hug, Dominador said of his dream.

He told his wife, Virgie, of his dream and how liberating it was, but she is still distraught and spends a lot of time crying and grieving.

As of today the families of the victims are still waiting for the stress debriefing of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.