Baguio massacre suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ in court

BAGUIO CITY -- Family members of the five victims of the sensational “Baguio Massacre” cried in courtroom as the suspect in the most gruesome crime the city has ever known pleaded “not guilty” on five counts of murder Tuesday.

Standing before Judge Mia Joy Cawed of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 in this city, Philip Tolentino Avino entered his plea while clad in a bullet-proof vest and helmet and flanked by heavily-armed guards.

The arraignment marks the beginning of the trial, which seeks justice for the deaths through multiple-stabbing of victims Jacqueline Nociete, 19; her brother Joey, 7; their housemaid Jonalyn Lozano, 31; and Joey’s playmates Dave John de Guzman, 7, and Raymond Delmendo, 9.

Each of the five victims sustained around a dozen stab wounds on April 6 by an intruder in their rented apartment on 3rd Kayang Street inside the Baguio Public Market.

In reaction to Avino’s plea, Vilma Nociete, mother of Jacqueline and Joey, said: “Sinungaling siya, pinapaubaya na naming sa Diyos at sa batas ang kasong ito.”

The parties agreed to set the pre-trial on July 16, when there will be a possible submission of the pre-trial briefs enumerating the pieces of evidence and the witnesses to be presented in the course of the trial.

Before reading the information 10:30 a.m., Judge Cawed sent out parties not involved in the case, leaving behind only the immediate family members of the victims, members of the media and policemen and jail personnel on guard.

Everyone including other relatives were also told by the court to keep their silence as Avino stood in front of the courtroom.

Cawed also ordered police to arrest anybody making noise or will stage a protest while Avino’s arraignment in the five counts of murder.

It was learned that based on a Supreme Court order, cases should be finished in 180 days, where it is expected that the case will be submitted for decision following marathon hearings that will be set, to allow justice to take its course.

After the arraignment the suspect was escorted back to jail by city police and BJMP personnel who used three vehicles to confuse whoever would attempt to take the life of the accused and prevent an incident similar to the first arraignment in May 5 when accused was mauled by angry relatives of the victims.

The parents and relatives,including the suspect were advised by their counsels not to comment while the case was proceeding.

Earlier, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology instituted heavy security measures that would ensure Avino,  will be safe during the arraignment, to prevent a repeat of his mauling incident after the hearing last May 5.

Jail Chief Insp. Wilson Banasen, city jail warden, said they set tight security with the Baguio City Police Office Station 7  and members of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team providing additional security to BJMP personnel – for the hearing.