Court acquits pastor, 7 others of murder

BACOLOD CITY – A United Church of Christ in the Philippines pastor and co-accused, known as the “Himamaylan 7,” were acquitted on Monday of two counts of murder and seven counts of frustrated murder for the death of two soldiers and the injury of seven others during a clash with suspected communist rebels in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on May 12, 2018.

Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Rodney Magbanua found no sufficient evidence against Pastor Jimie Teves, Jodito Montesino, Susan Medez, Jaypee Romano, Jasper Aguyong, Rogen Sabanal, Eliseo Andres, and Rodrigo Medez, all members of Tribu Ituman, an Indigenous People’s group helping farmers avail of government projects.