G.R. No. 218915 -

Ruling

WHEREFORE, after finding accused Hector Comista y Reotutar, Alvin Labra y Cornista and Ricardo Banaay, Jr. y Sinangote GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt as principals for the crime of Kidnapping for Ransom with Homicide under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. 7659, this Court hereby sentences them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua instead of the death penalty by virtue of R.A. 9346 and said accused shall not be eligible for parole under Act No. 4103, the Indeterminate Sentence Law, as amended. In addition, the said accused are ordered to pay, jointly and severally, to the family of victim, Arturo Picones[,]through Carmelita V. Picones the amount of P200,000.00 as actual damages for the wake and coffin; P50,000.00 each as moral damages; P50,000.00 each by way of exemplary damages; P75,000.00 as civil indemnity for the death of the victim; and the amount of P470,000.00 actually given as ransom money. However, accused Romeo Rayga y Banco, Arnel Cañega y Lagunsad, Freeman Bagares y Robenta, Antonio Batucan y Abanilla, Joel Atenta Dionaldo and Isidro Arguilles Inosanto, Jr. are ACQUITTED for insufficiency of evidence and for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt for the crime charged. Meantime, the case against Elorde Bitangol, Gary Bathan, Andy Quintana, Pedro Sorima, alias "Lito," and alias "Toto" who are at large is ordered archived pending their arrest. x x x x SO ORDERED.