In the main, the prosecution evidence centered on the testimony of Rusia.⁷ Twenty-one⁸ witnesses corroborated his testimony on major points. For the defense, appellants James Anthony Uy and Alberto Caño took the witness stand. Appellant Francisco. Juan Larrañaga was supposed to testify on his defense of alibi but the prosecution and the defense, through a stipulation approved by the trial court, dispensed with his testimony. Nineteen witnesses testified for the appellants, corroborating their respective defenses of alibi.  

          The version of the prosecution is narrated as follows:

          On the night of July 16, 1997, sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong, who lived in Cebu City, failed to come home on the expected time. It was raining hard and Mrs. Thelma Chiong thought her daughters were simply having difficulty getting a ride. Thus, she instructed her sons, Bruce and Dennis, to fetch their sisters. They returned home without Marijoy and Jacqueline. Mrs. Chiong was not able to sleep that night. Immediately, at 5:00 o'clock in the morning, her entire family started the search for
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⁷   Rusia testified on August 12, 13, 17 and 20, 1998 and on October 1, 5, 6 and 12, 1998.

⁸   They were Sheila Singson, Analie Konahap, Rolando Dacillo, Williard Redobles, Benjamin Molina, Miguel Vergara,
    Mario Minoza, Manuel Camingao, Alfredo Duarte, Rosendo Rio, Arturo Unabia, Manuel Rodriguez, Dionisio Enad, SPO1
    Alexis Elpusan, P/Ins. Edgardo Lenizo, Dr. Nestor Sator, Jude Daniel Mendoza, Thelma Chiong, SP03 Ramon Ortiz,
    Camilo Canoy, Neptali Cabanos, and P/Ins. Leodegardo Acebedo.