The Supreme Court sentenced to death a former member...

The Supreme Court sentenced to death a former member of the Citizen's Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and his companions after they were found guilty of murder and multiple attempted murder. In its 15-page decision, the court condemned to death former CAFGU member Jimmel Sanidad, Ponce "Pambong" Manuel, and two unidentified companions, for the murder of Rolando Tugadi in January 1999. The Supreme Court said it dismissed the appellants' defense stating that, "denial and alibi should be rejected when the identities of accused-appellants are sufficiently and positively established by eyewitnesses to the crime." All 10 victims were on board a jeep when Sanidad and his companions fired bullets at them on January 16, 1999. All the passengers survived the attack apart from Tugadi, who was left inside the vehicle which later burst into flames.