7 new witnesses vs Hubert Webb, says Lauro Vizconde

The National Bureau of Investigation has at least seven new witnesses who can prove that Hubert Webb was in the country when the Vizconde massacre took place 20 years ago, Lauro Vizconde told the Inquirer on Monday.

Vizconde said he had information that the witnesses, mostly residents or workers based in Parañaque City, claimed in separate dialogues with NBI agents that they saw Webb in the vicinity of BF Homes around the time his family was massacred.

Vizconde’s wife Estrellita, 47, and daughters Carmela, 18, and Jennifer, 7, were all stabbed to death in the master bedroom of their residence at Pitong Daan enclave, BF Homes, on June 30, 1991. Carmela was also raped.

Webb, the principal accused, claimed he was in the United States from March 1991 to October 1992 and could not have masterminded the massacre that had caught the nation’s attention for years.

On Dec. 14 last year, the Supreme Court acquitted Webb and his five coaccused—all scions of prominent families—of the murders after spending 15 years in jail.

The court said the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against Webb, 42, son of popular basketball player and former Sen. Freddie Webb.

Vizconde was at the NBI headquarters in Manila on Monday afternoon to confer with investigators and get an update about their efforts.

Pressure is on the NBI to provide new leads on the case especially since the 20-year prescription period for the filing of a case against new suspects will end on Thursday, the 20th anniversary of the murders.

“Even if we fail to convince the Supreme Court of Webb’s guilt with the new evidence, we will be consoled by the fact that we were right all along. That he really was guilty,” Vizconde said in an interview.

Double jeopardy

Under the law, Vizconde can no longer revive the case of rape with homicide against Webb and his cohorts as this would constitute double jeopardy, barred under the Constitution.

“But still, the fact that we can still prove their guilt, that we were right all along, that he was really here and was the one who did it. It’s a matter of principle. Even if we cannot prosecute them anymore, the whole world knows and that’s important,” Vizconde said.

NBI agents began scouring BF Homes for possible witnesses after President Aquino called for a new probe following the public uproar over Webb’s acquittal.

The high tribunal was unconvinced with star witness Jessica Alfaro’s testimony and said the prosecution failed to prove Webb et al.’s guilt “beyond reasonable doubt.”

Vizconde said he was initially wary whether the NBI’s new search would still be fruitful.

“The information given to me about how the witnesses were gathered, the patience the agents exerted in making all this come about really gives me hope despite the time element involved,” Vizconde said.

They know each other

Vizconde said he was told that the witnesses were from different walks of life, had varying economic backgrounds and “are not known to each other.”

“They said some of these people are not even Hubert’s friends but are familiar with his movements, like where he played basketball and where he hung out. That’s why they know he was just here in BF Homes even if he claimed to be in the US. People saw him there,” the widower said.

Vizconde said he was not surprised when told by NBI agents that it took a lot of persuasion before the new witnesses decided to come up with their stories of Webb sightings.

“They would be going against a family with considerable influence. I cannot blame them if they fear for their lives,” Vizconde said.

“But after hearing the story of the NBI agents, especially about the witness who even knew about Hubert’s ailments, I am encouraged to fight on.”