After nineteen long years, justice continues to elude Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde, victims of
a heinous crime, of rape and homicide.

It is difficult to understand how the Supreme Court could reverse the decisions of two lower courts who
actually saw and heard the witnesses and were convinced by the prosecutors whom they also saw and
listened to, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused were guilty. It prompts one to ask: How reasonable
was the doubt of the justices who voted for acquittal? With the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the
rulings of the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals, we are back to square one – who killed the
Vizcondes?

We share the grief and anguish of Lauro Vizconde who was treacherously robbed of a family and a
peaceful life nineteen years ago. The wounds have been opened up again and there seems to be no closure
to his ordeal.

Time is running out for those determined to bring the perpetrators to a court of law.
We implore the government to find and determine who the killers are and bring them before the bars of
justice. This is made more urgent by the fact that no charges can be filed against them after the
prescriptive period lapses (20 years according to news reports). And this investigation should not exclude
those acquitted since even the spokesperson of the Supreme Court said their acquittal does not mean they
are not guilty. We ask the Supreme Court to consider a motion of reconsideration by the prosecutors
especially if they can present new witnesses.

Those who have knowledge of what happened on that fateful night of June 30, 1991, should come out and
tell the truth. Be not afraid for the Lord our God is with you.
We ask those whose hands are bloodied by these heinous crimes to confess and accept the consequences.
Sooner or later, you will face the Lord and be judged.

We pray for the victims – Estrellita, Carmela, Jennifer – that they may find peace in the bosom of our
Lord.

We pray too for Lauro Vizconde at this time of great stress and ask the Lord to give him strength and
courage to once again go through this ordeal. We beg in all humility that our just and loving Father give
justice to Lauro and his family.

Sr. Mary John M. Mananzan, OSB Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, OP
AMRSP Co- Chairpersons