Visconde Massacre Overview

• Date: June 30, 1991
• Location: 80 Vinson Street, BF Homes, Parañaque City, Philippines
• Victims: Estrellita Visconde, Carmela Visconde, and Jennifer Visconde
• Key Points:
  • Dubbed the "Trial of the Century"
  • Involvement of sons from wealthy families
  • Allegations of corruption and miscarriage of justice

Victims and Crime Details

• Victims' Details:

  • Jennifer (7 years old): 18 stab wounds, significant defense wounds on arms
  • Carmela (19 years old): 9 stab wounds, violated before death
  • Estrellita: 13 stab wounds

• Witness Account:

  • Nephew Rodell's discovery of the bodies and details of wounds
  • Scene described as horrific, with evidence of struggle

Investigation Issues

• Initial Response:

  • Local police led by Gerardo Bjon mishandled evidence, allowing cleanup at crime scene
  • Pertinent evidence destroyed, including bloodied clothes

• Suspects:

  • First Set: Six house burglars from Barroso Gang arrested; later recanted confessions citing torture
  • Second Set: Alleged mastermind Danilo Aguas and associates, but lack of evidence

• Family's Skepticism:

  • Family doubted robbery motive; appliances and car keys were left behind
  • Investigators considered drug involvement among affluent youths in BF Homes

Eyewitness Testimony

• Jessica Alfaro:

  • Came forward in 1995, implicated wealthy Alabang boys in the crime, including Hubert Webb
  • Described drug use and premeditated assault on the Visconde family
  • Stated Hubert expressed intent to violate Carmela

• Jessica's Details:

  • Witnessed the crime while high on drugs
  • Told of Hubert's involvement and the violent acts committed

Trial Proceedings

• Charges Filed:

  • National Bureau of Investigation used Jessica's testimony to charge Hubert and 7 others with homicide
  • Hubert and accomplices arrested; defense claimed he was in the U.S at the time

• Defense Strategies:

  • Discredited Jessica based on her drug history
  • Proved Hubert's alibi using travel documents and testimonies
  • Defense argued against the reliability of Jessica's statements

Verdict and Acquittal

• Initial Conviction:

  • In 2000, Hubert and others were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment

• Supreme Court Decision:

  • In 2010, acquitted Hubert and others due to prosecution's failure to prove guilt
  • Evidence crucial to the case was reported missing

Continuing Investigation

• New Evidence:
  • 2011: Justice Secretary De Lima confirmed Hubert was not in the Philippines at the time of the crime
  • New motion for reversal of acquittal denied due to double jeopardy law

Conclusion

• Ongoing Questions:
  • Flaws in the case include unreliable witnesses, evidence mishandling, and justice credibility
  • Questions remain about true perpetrators and justice for the Visconde family.