Remember the Vizconde massacre?
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
April 23, 2010 7:33pm CST
The Supreme Court allowed the motion of Hubert Webb to re-test the semen found in the victim, Carmela Vizconde, to see if it is a match to his DNA. The murder took place about 19 years ago. Webb was convicted in 1997 and has been in prison for the last 13 years.
Do you remember this gruesome murder? Where were you at that time? I remember I was still in school and my grandparents became stricter with us girls after that. Do you believe that Webb and his gang committed this crime? It seems that during the trial, the trial court denied the motion of the accused for DNA testing. Do you agree with this? I wonder why the judge denied the motion when it could have resolved the matter once and for all with a simple test (albeit expensive).Do you think the sample taken from Carmela is still intact? Let me know your thoughts.
2 people like this
14 responses
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I'm two years old in 1991. LOL
But the issue of the Vizconde massacre was one of the biggest issues in the 90's. Even during my elementary days (which was years after the murder)developments of the case were shown in news.
What I remember most is the ice skiing video of the Webbs. 
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
You must have been in elementary when they tried the case. I don't remember that video. What I remember the televised reading of the verdict which took hours to finish.
@rsa101 (38399)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I now the story of this gruesome crime, I was in my late teens I guess when this happened. I think I was in college back then. I was not aware before that there was even an attempt to have their DNA tested during that time. I think it was not possible back then and the our local courts do not believe in it back then. I think that DNA taken several years ago if not properly preserved would disintegrate in time. I really hope that they can still get some reliable sample from there to really know the truth in that case.
@rsa101 (38399)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
From what I know it is Mr. Vizconde that is wanting to stop the motion for DNA testing anymore. I think it is the Webb family that are requesting for DNA testing. Hubert is ever ready to have the test done on him. I really do not know if it helps knowing that DNA of the victim is all that preserved and intact and can still be relied on. It is only very recent that we have the facility for DNA testing here in the Philippines and I do not know if the people have preserved that DNA samples taken from Carmela and the suspects. Maybe that why Mr. Vizconde is not relying on it anymore because time must have tarnished the reliability of the sample they had taken 20 years ago. This might be a delaying tactic from the other side of the case.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Me too, I only learned that they filed this motion when the news mentioned it. Probably the DNA testing was not too reliable back then. I do hope that they kept samples so that the truth will come out. To wait twenty years for closure must be really painful for Mr. Vizconde.
1 person likes this
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
28 Apr 10
Lauro Vizconde, at least according to the interview that Channel 7 did on him, was the one who first suggested the DNA test back during the trial. It was Hubert Webb's camp who refused saying that it was their right to refuse to the testing. Now it is Hubert Webb who wants the DNA test, probably thinking that if since the samples would most likely be degraded, then the court will let him go. However, the court has made it known that if the sample is degraded, it will not count in his favor.
It seems though that the NBI does not have custody of the physical evidence. If they had, it would have been intact. Apparently, they have adequate technology for safekeeping DNA technology. Unfortunately for Huber, it was submitted in court. If so, I can bet you that the sample is no longer intact. The lawyers should know about it. So why did they still file the motion?
1 person likes this
@shhheila (1845)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
i remember that, it was more that 10 something years ago... dahh.. justice in the phils is only for the rich... my thoughts about that sample... hmmm im pretty sure its not intact, by that time, we dont have that kind of technology and somethings samples are sent to US for the test. its just my thought.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I am of two minds on your statement that justice is for the rich. On one hand, a son of a rich and powerful senator was convicted and has been languishing there for about fourteen (14) years. On the other hand, he might be set free if the DNA is a match. He would have been able to get this motion approved had he not have the means to do this.
I pity Mr. Vizconde. He has lost his entire family and now the persons who did this might go free. He said that he proposed this test way back during the trial and the Webbs refused it. Now they want to do it. Put that way, sounds fishy.
On the other hand, I also pity the Webbs, except Hubert. I believe in karma and so I think his sins has finally caught up with him. But of course, the justice system does not work that way. The Webbs believe in Hubert's innocence all these years. They have devoted their life to freeing Hubert. What if the sample is intact and it matches Hubert's DNA? Just a thought.
@Metatronik (6198)
• Pasay, Philippines
16 Dec 10
Wow! seems that it has a big repercussion after this big issue. I was still a kid at that time definitely 6 years old if this happened on June 30 1991. I was grade one if that is the case. Unfortunately I am not aware about this news or I wasn't able to hear anyone here in our home about this Vizconde massacre. Or if ever they are talking about this issue it is either I don't remember or I don't know what are they talking about or I don't really care anything at all since this is a sensitive issue that I doubt if anyone here from home would tell me about this massacre. Maybe I should ask my parents later about this matter 
if what are they doing when this issue became so popular.
Then it was already 1995 when my neighbor and relatives were talking about the Vizconde massacre that I thought it happened during that time. I never realized that it was 4 years ago already. That was the time that Jessica Alfaro shown up and she is so popular as star witness, believing that she is telling the truth about Hubert Webb. That is the time I realized and aware of the whole issue that it happened during 1991 then it became national issue. I remember my dad told us that we must be beware to those people that we get along.
What I am wondering here is that as I remember and understand regarding this matter, before the crime happened Carmela was expecting somebody to go in her house to the extent that the gate was opened for them even the door at her house. That is the reason why it was an easy access for them to go inside the house and surprisingly they are going to do a crime. I am also wondering if the Vizconde family does not have their maids. It only means that they were only 3 of them that are inside the house.
if what are they doing when this issue became so popular.
Then it was already 1995 when my neighbor and relatives were talking about the Vizconde massacre that I thought it happened during that time. I never realized that it was 4 years ago already. That was the time that Jessica Alfaro shown up and she is so popular as star witness, believing that she is telling the truth about Hubert Webb. That is the time I realized and aware of the whole issue that it happened during 1991 then it became national issue. I remember my dad told us that we must be beware to those people that we get along.
What I am wondering here is that as I remember and understand regarding this matter, before the crime happened Carmela was expecting somebody to go in her house to the extent that the gate was opened for them even the door at her house. That is the reason why it was an easy access for them to go inside the house and surprisingly they are going to do a crime. I am also wondering if the Vizconde family does not have their maids. It only means that they were only 3 of them that are inside the house. @TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
3 Jan 11
And did you watch the movie?
I remember that someone testified that the side gate was opened and that is how the killers entered. I think they did not have a maid at that time.
I remember that someone testified that the side gate was opened and that is how the killers entered. I think they did not have a maid at that time.1 person likes this
@Metatronik (6198)
• Pasay, Philippines
6 Jan 11
I didn't watch the movie but then regarding on how the killers entered my parents told me that the doors or gate is open for them to enter the house since Carmela was expecting somebody. I think they got this information from the news.
@ladycharm421 (59)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I was in elementary when it happened. The talk of the town massacre on the 90's which brought a lot of parents to be strict on their children specially the girls.The semen sample taken from Carmela could be still intact if it is properly preserved, but the DNA testing could be done before so that the accuracy will be most likely. I feel sorry for Mr. Lauro Vizconde but he must learn also to forgive as the accused has been in prisoned for 15 years. This will help him in a way to lessen his burden. If God forgive the sinners and criminals, why can't he?
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
If the DNA test will not match the DNA of Webb, I am sure even Mr. Vizconde will begin to doubt the conviction. How would the testimony of Alfaro be viewed in light of the DNA results?
Forgiveness is earned. I don't Hubert's gang has ever apologized for it. They have maintained their innocence until now.
@Ecchi_boi3 (2)
• Australia
30 Dec 10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Fingerprinting
http://www.brainwavescience.com
Subject everyone (witnesses and suspects) to the test. Tell our DOJ or the media about this new forensic method. Tell Mr. Vizconde and his friends/relatives or the Govt/NGO units about this.
If this fails, nothing will succeed.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
3 Jan 11
This technology is very interesting. However, I can just hear our government officials saying that this is not an acceptable method of investigation. Even in the US, this is one method that is not yet widely accepted and practiced. I will be very interested in finding out if the main witness really told the truth.
@grecychunny26 (9482)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yes I still remember it. I don't know when it was happened but the was gruesome of all the massacre I came to know before. And Carmela was so beautiful. I really don't know if the semen is still intact. According to Forensic Expert Raquel Fortun it depends if they preserve the semen. I do believe Hubert Webb and company really did the murder based on Jessica Alfaro's testimony.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I think this massacre has been dethroned by the Maguindanao Massacre. But you are right, this massacre reigned supreme for a long time. I doubt if the semen was preserved well by the government. They would probably blame brownouts for the degradation of the sample.
@dorisday1971 (5657)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I still remember the Visconde massacre as I was already in college then . ..
It was very painful for Mr. Lauro Vizconde who was then out of the country when the massacre happened.
I hope there will be justice. .
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I still remember the news coverage of Mr. Vizconde's arrival. He was not immediately told what happened for fear that he might have a heart attack. As he was approaching the house, he saw the 3 coffins there. I can still see his reaction at that time in my head. I cried in sympathy when I saw him fall down and cry.
@jlamela (4897)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I just graduated in high school when Vizconde Massacre happened and I was horrified with that case because I realized we're not safe even in our own home. I was also shocked when Hubert Webb became the primary suspect of the heinous crime because at that time his father was a Philippine senator. So this new twist of the case is somewhat puzzling because I don't think the sample is still reliable.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Did Hubert Webb really make a motion for DNA testing? Well, that could be a development. But as far as the tuning public is concerned, the verdict had been made. The prosecution and the defense had exchanged deliberations then. Webb and his gangmates, all of whom simply depended on Webb's alibi, were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In court, I believe, witness prevails over alibi. And you could ask it again - why would Alfaro testify? What has she to gain? And she has so much to lose. Not unless she is telling the truth! The DNA could make another media commotion but the fact remains the Vizconde women were violated and killed. This hype could reenact that massacre all over again. I say let us allow them to rest in peace. Anyway someone told me that the gang is doing just fine in their Munti world.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yes, Hubert filed the motion. He filed the same motion during the trial in the lower court, but the motion was denied. I don't remember why, probably as suggested by bingaling, DNA testing was not yet proven to be accurate at that time (There was no CSI at that time).
I agree that a positive assertion prevails over an alibi. As I understand it, Hubert is hoping to debunk the testimony of Alfaro by saying that since the semen that was recovered in Carmela's body is not his (or so he hopes), then Alfaro lied when she testified that I raped Carmela. If the sample was preserved, and the DNA is not a match, the whole case might fall apart.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
It is never too late to do justice. I do think though that there is little chance that the samples are still intact. All the drama may be all for naught.
@ersanmiguel (476)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Absolutely agree with you, Advocate. The DNA testing should have been done a long time ago. I doubt that the specimen from the victim is still intact. I pity mr.visconde, i think he hasn't have peace of mind for the past 15yrs and now its as if everything will repeat all over again.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
With the way we run the government, would you think that there is even a remote chance that it was properly stored? They only raised the hopes of the people only to say later that the sample is degraded. It's like reliving all the nightmare. I hope that Mr. Vizconde has made peace with himself.
@Ecchi_boi3 (2)
• Australia
30 Dec 10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Fingerprinting
http://www.brainwavescience.com
Subject everyone (witnesses and suspects) to this test.
If possible provide this info to DOJ, vizconde's relatives/friends, media, govt and NGO units, if justice is to be served.
If this fails, nothing will succeed.
