Tributes pour in for Lauro Vizconde

Published February 14, 2016 8:33pm

MALACAÑANG as well as netizens on Sunday extended their sympathies to the family of anti-crime advocate Lauro Vizconde who passed away on Saturday.

"Lubos kaming nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Ginoong Lauro Vizconde na pumanaw kahapon," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.

Vizconde had suffered fourth cardiac arrest before his death.

His remains were taken to the Heritage Memorial Park for public viewing.

A family statement released immediately after his passing said the 77-year-old had a cardiac arrest caused by diabetic and pulmonary complications.

"Nais po naming hingin ang inyong taimtim na dasal para sa kaniyang kaluluwa. Inilaan po ni Tito Oro ang kaniyang buhay para sa kaniyang pamilya at sa ibang biktima ng heinous crimes," Rodel Vizconde said as he read the prepared statement.

"Sabi nga nila hindi niya nakamtam ang justice dito sa world na ito pero up there definitely makukuha naman ni Tito yung justice," he later told reporters.

Vizconde's wife and two daughters were murdered inside their home in Paranaque City in June 1991 in what was infamously known as the Vizconde massacre.

Estrellita Vizconde, then 49, had suffered 13 stab wounds while daughter Carmela, then 18, sustained 17 stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed. Six year old Jennifer had 19 stab wounds.

Lauro was working in the United States when the killings took place.

Hubert Webb, son of former senator and basketball star Freddie Webb, and six others were arrested in 1995 and were charged with the multiple murder.

The other defendants were Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura

They were convicted by the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court. Filart and Ventura were convicted in absentia.

Webb insisted he was in the United States when the Vizcondes were killed.

Webb, Lejano, Fernandez, Gatchalian, Rodriguez and Estrada were later acquitted by the Supreme Court which dismissed the testimony of star witness Jessica Alfaro.

The high court said the prosecution failed to prove the defendants' guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Webb and his co-accused were consequently freed after spending 15 years in jail.

'I did my best'

During the 20th anniversary of the killing, Vizconde visited the tomb of his family and told them that, "I did my best" in seeking justice for them.

“I told my family that I did my best. I also updated them on the new twist in the investigation. Even if we were denied justice, I consoled them that at least people already know what really happened,” he said.

Messages of condolences and criticisms on the country's criminal justice system erupted in social networking sites following Vizconde's death.

Rest in peace, Mr. Lauro Vizconde. May you finally find the peace and happiness you've long been searching for with your family in heaven.
— Francesca Litton (@CheckLit) February 13, 2016

Lauro Vizconde may not get the justice he is seeking here on earth, he'll definitely get it in the next. Our prayers https://t.co/fHDbyAQb5Q
— Bloggista (@bloggista) February 12, 2016

After everything that he has gone thru, I think it is time for Lauro Vizconde to finally be at peace & be reunited with his loved ones. :(
— Pinoymommy (@pinoymommy) February 12, 2016

Rest in peace, Lauro Vizconde. You fought long and hard for justice for your wife and daughters, persevered no matter...
Posted by Alma Anonas-Carpio on Saturday, February 13, 2016

My heart bleeds for Mr. Vizconde. Genuine judgment is in God's hands, for He is just, fair, perfect and righteous Judge....
Posted by Car La on Sunday, February 14, 2016

Lauro Vizconde, a symbol of an ordinary Filipino victimized by a bureaucracy that is very good in crime coverup. First,...
Posted by Felixberto Ayahao on Saturday, February 13, 2016

Just sad. Mr. Lauro Vizconde died without getting the justice he wanted for his family. But someday KARMA will do its...
Posted by Joseph Gerald Rico-Maximillian Carreon on Saturday, February 13, 2016

,,,seeking for justice in our country is a long agonizing journey,,f the rich people cant win over the powerful corrupt...
Posted by D Black Swan on Saturday, February 13, 2016

Nakakaiyak :( He died without getting the justice he wants for his family. He died fighting for the justice that this...
Posted by Kobe Carbonilla on Saturday, February 13, 2016

In our land full of corruption, you can never find justice. Rest in peace Mr. Lauro Vizconde. Our prayers are with you. Find eternal love with your family. Rest in eternal peace with God.
Posted by Edward Espela on Saturday, February 13, 2016

— APG, GMA News

Tags: laurovizconde, vizcondemassacre