Sheriff’s killer sentenced to life imprisonment
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Iloilo City convicted the suspect in the killing of a court sheriff more than two years ago.
Judge Rene Hortillo of RTC Branch 31 sentenced Larry Mallorca to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment for killing Johnny Tugado at the latter’s home at Sapphire St., Sto. Niño Subdivision, Brgy. Cagbang, Oton, Iloilo last July 12, 2007.
Hortillo also ordered the suspect to pay P170,000 actual damages, P300,000 moral damages, and P75,000 indemnity for the victim’s death.
Mallorca’s arrest came after Jimmy Dollete was nabbed for alarm and scandal days after the killing.
During the course of the investigation, Dollete admitted that they planned Tugado’s assassination. By they, he made mentioned of Mallorca and two other men.
He added that Mallorca revealed to them that someone put a P200,000 bounty for Tugado’s death.
Later, the court dropped the charge against Dollete and two others for lack of probable cause.
In convicting Mallorca, the court gave credence to the witnesses’ statement claiming that Mallorca was one of the three gunmen who killed Tugado.
Hortillo noted that the convicted suspect failed to present evidence to disprove the witnesses’ allegations.
Mallorca is presently detained at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center in Nanga, Pototan, while awaiting his transfer to the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
But aside from Mallorca’s killing, he has other cases for murder and robbery.
