MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the sentence of up to eight years imprisonment imposed by a regional trial court on a policeman and his companion who waylaid a couple in 2006 and ran off with more than PHP3.5 million in cheques and cash.
The CA Fifth Division affirmed the conviction of PO1 Dennis Salviejo and Roseno Colendrino, positively identified by the victims as the persons who apprehended them while they were on their home from a bank at about 11 a.m. on May 18, 2006 in Santiago City, Isabela province.
Salviejo denied the allegations, saying at the supposed time and date of the robbery, he was on his way to Camp Adduru, the Police Regional Office 2 headquarters in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
"The defenses of the accused, unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence, cannot prevail over their positive identification by (victim) Raul," read the CA decision dated June 19 and made public Friday.
Salviejo and Colendrino shot at the two front tires of the couple's car, ordered them to step out and hand over their money, and fled on a motorcycle.
The victims immediately reported the incident and recognized the two men from photos shown to them.
Aside from the PHP3 million in checks and cash, the duo also took the credit cards and mobile phones of the victims. (PNA)
