SAGBAYAN, Bohol (PNA) — A son-in-law accused of killing his 81-year-old father-in-law was recently sentenced by a local court of up to 40 years in prison and was also ordered to pay R60,000 for damages and burial cost.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2 Judge Baudillo Dosdos found Romeo Bacalso of Sagbayan Sur, Sagbayan, Bohol, guilty of murdering Pelagio Ababon.
However, he ruled out a conspiracy hatched by the convict with two other suspects, Pablo and Allan Sarol, the victim’s brother-in-law and nephew, respectively.
In a six-page decision, the court found that Bacalso resented the decision of his father-in-law to sell a carabao used in farming.
Court records said that on January 11, 2001, the suspect went to Ababon’s house in the guise of asking for herbal medicine and once inside, he hacked the victim with a bolo.
Bacalso denied the charges, claiming it was the nephew Allan Sarol who killed Ababon.
However, the court found his defense "inconsistent" and "bereft of any credible corroboration."
