Metrobriefs

Dog groomer found guilty of homicide

A dog groomer has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court found him guilty of killing his neighbor four years ago. Judge Carlos Valenzuela of the Mandaluyong RTC Branch 213 convicted Diosdado Estimada, a resident of Barangay (village) Malamig in the city, for homicide for the death of Rolando Angeles. Based on court records, Estimada stabbed the victim on May 1, 2007, while the latter was attending the birthday celebration of his brother. The victim’s brother, Ramoncito, had positively identified the accused as the one who stabbed his brother at least four times. Ramoncito said the accused also stabbed his two other brothers although both survived. He told the court that three months before the stabbings took place, he and the accused had a confrontation that led to his filing of charges of physical injury against Estimada. The accused, meanwhile, claimed that he stabbed the victim to defend himself. The judge, however, noted that he did not present any witnesses to support his defense.—Niña Calleja

Valera; 68

Agripina Ortiz Valera, a dedicated teacher and loving wife, died of an aneurysm on July 28. She was 68 years old. Valera started her teaching career as a grade school teacher in Cacilingan, Cordon, Isabela, in 1969 after she earned a degree in education at Northeastern College, Isabela. She taught in Isabela for six years until her transfer to Divisoria Elementary School in Santiago where she stayed until her retirement in 1999. She received various awards, including a citation in girl scouting. Valera is survived by her husband, Catalino, their children Aristotle, Malou and Victor; eldest brother Johnny; daughter-in-law Grace; and grandchildren Athena and Arissa. A necrological service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the family’s house in Divisoria while interment will be held on Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Santiago City Memorial Park in Barangay (village) Rosario.