TAYUG–The principal suspect in the slaying of a leader of a militant farmers’ organization in Pangasinan some four years ago was meted life imprisonment, and another 10 to 14 years imprisonment for the wounding of the victim’s brother.

In a decision penned by Regional Trial Court Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan of Branch 51, Joel Flores, a native of Barangay Domampot, Asingan, was meted the sentence for the murder of Jose Doton, chairman of the militant Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwayawaya ti Agno  (TIMMAWA), using an unlicensed firearm and for frustrated murder in connection with the wounding of Doton’s brother, Diosdado, alias “Cancio”.

The judge also ordered Flores to indemnify the heirs of the late Doton in the amount of P500,000 and P200,000 to Diosdado.

The crime happened in the morning of May 16, 2006 when the brothers were on their way home aboard a motorcycle driven by Diosdado with Jose as backrider.

The gunmen, who were riding in another motorcycle and wearing crash helmets, opened fire on the Dotons. After the victims fell from their motorcycle, the gunman pumped more bullets into Jose’s body.

Diosdado, however, managed to roll into a cornfield, too far for the suspects to fire and finish him off.

Flores was initially arrested for illegal possession of firearms, then ballistic tests showed the Caliber 45 pistol in his possession matched that of the one used for Doton’s murder.

Flores was arrested on June 1, 2006 when policemen noticed he had a pistol tucked in his waist while he was arguing with one Johnny Pascua over a monthly amortization settlement.

Corroboration of the result of the ballistic examination came from Juanito Primero, 43, farmer, who testified in court that he saw the incident from a distance of 10 meters and identified Flores as the gunman when he removed his helmet before delivering the coup de grace on Doton.

The companion of Flores who was driving the motorcycle remains at large.—LM

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