MANILA — The Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court Branch 61 has acquitted the “Himamaylan 7”, including a United Church of Christ in the Philippines pastor, of frustrated murder charges because of the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In his decision promulgated on November 18, 2024, Presiding Judge Rodney Magbanua acquitted UCCP Pastor Jimie Teves, Jodito Montesino, Jeppy Romano, Jasper Aguyong, Rogelio Sabanal, Eliseo Andres and Rodrigo Medes.

The group were charged as supposed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army who attacked and fired at Philippine Army soldiers on May 12, 2018 in Kabankalan City.

The accused were arrested in Himamaylan City.

The court noted in the decision that while the accused offered no other evidence aside from denial and alibi, their arguments cannot be rejected when the circumstances of the arrest and identification cast serious doubts on the reliability of the testimonies of witnesses.

“Had it been true that the members of the Philippine Army were familiar of their assailants during the attack and had identified them, considering that they had been interacting with their community for their community support program in the barangay, it is contrary to human experience that they cannot identify at least one of them when making the initial report,” Judge Magbanua said.

In a statement, the UCCP said the acquittal of the “Himamaylan 7” serves a testament to the power of community.

“The acquittal of Pastor Teves and company is an answered prayer of the whole church,” the UCCP said.