Man convicted of arson in Dumaguete

The Dumaguete Regional Trial Court (RTC) has convicted a man who set his home and two neighboring houses on fire after a spat with his wife in 2013.

Sentenced to suffer imprisonment of up to 16 years was Jerrylou Gomolon.

In a decision made public Tuesday, Dumaguete Regional Trial Court Branch 40 said Gomolon was guilty of simple arson.

Gomolon burned his house down in Banilad, Dumaguete City after an argument with his wife on April 4, 2013, said witness Simon Guiuan whom the wife of Gomolon had sought out help from.

Guiuan said that prior to the fire, Geordana Gomolon asked for help after her husband threatened to burn the house down when she walked away after an argument.

When they arrived, the house had already been eaten by the fire. Upon their arrival, Gomolon even tried to choke his wife but was later on arrested and turned over to the police.

Gomolon denied the charges and said at the same night, he had looked for his family in the house and when he asked his wife, she did not respond.

He then decided to go to Mangnao dancing hall and prior to arriving at the venue, he noticed their home on fire. Gomolon said he tried saving the house but was stopped by the barangay officer. He tried to choke his wife after noticing her in the mob.

The house of neighbor Ramil S. Daclizon was also charred in the fire while the house of Jimboy Jornales was partially burned.

The court said Gomolon’s alibi was “outweighed by positive identification” of the witnesses.

“[It is] categorical, consistent and untainted by any ill motive… Alibi and denial, if not substantiated by clear and convincing evidence are negative and self-serving evidence underserving of weight in law,” the court said. Kirsten Jamilla, INQUIRER.net trainee/RAM/rga

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