Court convicts suspect in Julia Campbell killing

MANILA, Philippines – The suspect in the killing of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for the death of the American national in April last year, a GMA News Flash report said.

In her 36-page decision, Judge Esther Pisoco-Flor of the Banaue, Ifugao Regional Trial Court Branch 34 found woodcarver Juan Donald Duntugan guilty beyond reasonable doubt for killing Campbell, who was slain in 2007 while vacationing in the country.

Duntugan, a native of Batad, will be imprisoned from 20 years and one day to a maximum of 40 years without parole.

Piscoso-Flor said she found "treachery and use of superior strength" as the two aggravating circumstances to convict Duntugan, debunking claims that the murder was caused by a "spur-of-the-moment" anger.

The local court also ordered Duntugan to pay civil liabilities and damage amounting to P39,674,056.52.

The promulgation was held amid a packed justice hall in Barangay (village) Tam-an in Batad. The decision was read in the span of more than an hour by two court employees.

Campbell's sister, Gerry Morris, welcomed the court decision. "We were hopeful for a just verdict," she said.

On April 8, 2007, Campbell was trekking a trail toward the scenic rice terraces of the Ifugao when she was pummeled to the head by Duntugan, who mistook the American for his arch rival.

Campbell's body was discovered in a shallow grave 10 days after she was killed.

"It is impossible that Duntugan could have not recognized Julia when in his own testimony, he was able to recognize Melvin Churhangon whom he met in the same trail few minutes after he dumped Julia's body," the court said.

The court also noted it could have meted Duntugan with death penalty were it not prohibited by law. - Mark Merueñas, Bernabe Almirol, GMANews.TV