BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- The regional trial court here sentenced to 40 years imprisonment a Bacoleño found guilty of killing a man who flirted with his younger sister in a local videoke bar during the 2004 Masskara Festival.

Judge Roberto Chiongson also ordered Arlan Belocora Dingson to pay the heirs of Rey Aragon Denosta P50,000 as indemnity and P25,000 as reimbursement for burial expenses.

His co-accused, Pedrito Opisyal Jr., and three unidentified persons remain at large.

On the evening of October 16, 2004, Denosta, along with Barangay (village) 24 chairman Lope Ledesma Jr. and village councilor Joel Gadayan, were drinking beer at a videoke bar at the corner of Rizal and Lacson streets while discussing their village's participation in the Bacolod?s charter day parade.

Dingson's sister, Joy Belocora, 24, a waitress at the bar, was serving them beer Denosta told her she was beautiful.

Dingson and Opisyal, Joy's live-in partner, arrived with their companions and sat down at a table next to Ledesma's group.

When Joy served the last round of beer ordered by Ledesma's group, Denosta told her again that she was beautiful and promised to marry her in all the churches if she would become his girlfriend.

Dingson approached Denosta from behind and stabbed him in the nape.

Opisyal and their three other companions joined the fray, repeatedly stabbing Denosta.

After Denosta fell to the ground, Dingson again stabbed him twice.

Bacolod City Medico Legal Officer, Dr. Eli Cong, told the court Denosta, who suffered eight stab wounds, died from severe hemorrhage.