Antipolo: The Antipolo Regional Trial Court (RTC) has convicted five men for the kidnapping and murder of businessman Jose Saribong, 13 years after the crime took place, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday. In a decision delivered on April 16, the court found Mark Stanly Banghulot, Romeo Baluran, Rudy Benega, Teody Maghuyop, and Adam Paulin guilty of kidnapping for ransom with homicide. The men were sentenced to reclusion perpetua without the possibility of parole.

According to Philippines News Agency, Banghulot had been a business partner of Saribong, who was a former official at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Despite Saribong's family paying PHP800,000 to the kidnappers-far less than the PHP40 million initially demanded-Saribong was found dead. The crime also claimed the life of Saribong's driver, Jimmy Palermo, who was shot during the kidnapping incident at Golden Meadows Subdivision in Brgy. Mayamot, near Saribong's home.

In addition to their prison sentences, the court ordered the defendants to pay PHP100,000 to Saribong's heirs as civil indemnity and PHP890,000 as actual damages. Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas, who led the prosecution, stated that the conviction serves as a warning to criminals who believe they can evade the law.

Torrevillas emphasized the DOJ's commitment to upholding justice, stating that the department will continue to ensure that no offender, regardless of how long they have been at large or how complex their crimes, remains beyond the reach of the judicial system.