Case Unclosed

Case Unclosed
Created by GMA Network
Developed by GMA News and Public Affairs
Starring Arnold Clavio
Country of origin Philippines
No. of episodes 70 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time 1 hour
Release
Original network GMA Network
Picture format 480i SDTV
Original release October 2, 2008 – February 26, 2010
Chronology
Preceded by 100% Pinoy
Followed by Kandidato

Case Unclosed was a news and public affairs television show in the Philippines aired every Thursday evenings by GMA Network. The show was hosted by Arnold Clavio. Kara David served as the first host until March 5, 2009 when she was replaced by Clavio to host OFW Diaries.

Case Unclosed featured some of the sensational cases in the Philippines that is up until now is not yet solved by the authorities. The episodes were directed by some award-winning Filipino independent film directors. The program was also broadcast on GMA News TV's Channel 11.

Host

SEASON HOST GUEST-HOST
1
 Kara David Ivan Mayrina / Rhea Santos / Tina Panganiban-Perez
2
 Arnold Clavio

2008 episodes

October

A 2008 photograph of the building that housed Ozone Disco.

The evening of March 18, 1996 turns to tragedy when a fire broke out in the Ozone Disco nightclub. There were 162 casualties and 95 injuries due to the stampede. Some of victims are unidentified and the owner became responsible for what happened. Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.

One of the most controversial treasures of all time and in history is Yamashita's treasure. Some of the treasures of General Tomoyuki Yamashita still exists. The discovery of the Golden Buddha by Roger Roxas in 1971 led him to his imprisonment under dictator president Ferdinand Marcos. Directed by Tata Illenberger.

On July 16, 1997, sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were kidnapped by unidentified persons in Cebu. Marijoy's body was found the next morning while Jacqueline is not yet found until now. Some of the suspects came from prominent families in Cebu. Directed by Milo Tolentino.

On July 13, 1991, Maureen Hultman, Roland John Chapman and Jussi Leino were shot by Claudo Teehankee, Jr., son of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee, Sr. It also became controversial when Teehankee was released from jail. Directed by Raya Martin.

On May 10, 1897, Andres Bonifacio, known as the Supreme leader of the Katipunan together with his brother Procopio were killed at Mount Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite after a military trial. Some say that Emilio Aguinaldo was responsible for the killings.And the story discuss how they died, from several hack wounds or shot by his fellow Katipuneros under orders of Aguinaldo and his men, a certain Macapagal does the dirty job after Bonifacio disagrees with Aguinaldo. Directed by Paul Morales.

November

On November 7, 2001, actress Nida Blanca was found dead in a building in Greenhills. Philip Medel, Jr. claimed her husband Roger Lauren Strunk, nicknamed "Rod" masterminded the crime, but this proved to be wrong. Strunk later died in 2007 when he reportedly fell from the second floor balcony of a motel in Tracy, California, United States 20 feet below onto a parking lot. His death was ruled to be a suicide.

Cris Mendez was killed by hazing by some of the members of the Sigma Rho Fraternity. Lenny Villa suffered that same fate in 1991. But the case is still in court.The story is about the rule in almost all fraternities,that in order to secure loyalties from initiates by putting them in several challenges, including beatings, burnings, punchings and even sodomy. Directed by Rica Arevalo.

During the Marcos administration, many activists were kidnapped but not yet found, even their remains. Some were killed during the Arroyo and Aquino III administration. Impunity sets in. Directed by Alvin Yapan.

On June 30, 1991, Estrelita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde were killed inside their house in Parañaque. At first, some of the suspects were acquitted. After four years, Jessica Alfaro became responsible for re-opening the case. Many years later, they are acquitted under lack of evidence. Directed by Mark Shandii Bacolod.

December

November 24, 2000, PR man Bubby Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito were kidnapped and were found dead and burned four days after. P/Col. Glenn Dumlao, one of the accused, named former Po/Supt. Cezar Mancao and former S/Supt. Michael Ray Aquino as the brains behind the crime. Mancao and Aquino were members of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force or PAOCTF, headed by then Gen. Panfilo Lacson. They also imply a certain "Bigote" as the mastermind. Directed by Charlie Bebs Gohetia.

On August 16, 2007, the body of Geraldine Palma, a seven-year-old girl was found in North Harbour packed in luggage. Some say that the nanny is responsible for her death. But there are speculations that the body found is not Geraldine Palma's. Directed by Jay Abello.

The whole Philippines and the world was shocked on March 17, 1957 when a Douglas C-47 crashed at Mount Manunggal in Cebu. One of the casualties is famous President Ramon Magsaysay. Speculations say that it was an accident due to aircraft problems while some claim it was a sabotage. Newspaper journalist Nestor Mata is the sole survivor in the crash and lived to tell the tale of what happened. Directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo.

This episode was the year-end special, showing three previous episodes of the show: "Yaman ni Yamashita", "Lihim ng 1897" and "Magsaysay Plane Crash".

2009 episodes

January

Gregorio del Pilar.

This episode was Part 2 of the year-end special, showing nine previous episodes: "Alaala ng Ozone", "Kapatiran hanggang Kamatayan", "Desaparecidos", "Hultman-Chapman Double Murder Case", "Dacer-Corbito Murder Case", "Nida Blanca Murder Case" "Vizconde Massacre", "Ang Bakas ng Karahasan: The Chiong Murder Case" and "Ang Pagkawala ni Geraldine Palma".

On December 2, 1899, General Gregorio del Pilar was assassinated after the Battle of Tirad Pass. The story focuses in del Pilar's history, from his allegiance of Aguinaldo,to his influences on the deaths of both high ranking Spanish, Filipino and Mestizos.

Directed by Sari Lluch Dalena.

More than 300 people were buried alive when a mountain of garbage collapsed in Payatas on July 10, 2000. Although almost a decade had passed, no one has been made responsible and punished for what happened until now. Directed by Eli Balce.

Ten lives ended On May 16, 2008 after a group of men robbed the RCBC Light and Science branch in Cabuyao, Laguna in May of last year. Because victims were shot in the head, the case has been dubbed as the bloodiest bank robbery in the history of the Philippines.

Directed by Joaquin Pedro Valdes.

Philippine Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño was found dead with a gunshot in his head on September 27, 1995. People claim he committed suicide, but others said that he was murdered because of his knowledge in some corrupt officials engaging in every corrupted deals in the Navy. Some people says that he was tortured by his superiors, shot him in the head and plant the suicide note.

Directed by Maikel Cardoz.

February

73 people died and hundreds were injured in the stampede at the PhilSports Arena for the first anniversary of the ABS-CBN noontime show Wowowee during the afternoon hours of February 4, 2006. Up until now, no one is responsible for the tragic incident. Worst of all, the Guinness World Records gave it the title of the "Greatest Gameshow Death toll". ABS-CBN remains its record until now. The question, "how do we get justice if the show's host Willie Revillame is now hosting in TV5?" remains unanswered.

Directed by indie director Anna Isabelle Matutina.

Education is believed to be the best legacy we can leave our children. To ensure their children's future, thousands of Filipinos buy education plans. In April 2005, however, 30,000 parents were alarmed when news broke out that Pacific Plans, Incorporated, one of the largest companies in the pre-need industry, went bankrupt and would not be able to pay for the tuition fees of its planholders.

Directed by indie director Sigfried Barros Sanchez.

Chop-chop: A term coined to describe what is done to easily and inconspicuously dispose of the remains of a murder victim by separating the victim's body to pieces and throws the parts in separate areas. The term was first used in the Philippines when the dismembered body parts of Lucila Lalu were found in different cities in May 1967. The suspects included her live-in partner, a policeman and her other boyfriend, who is angry about her relationship with the policeman. But the more famous story of a victim was roled by Kris Aquino became more famous than Lucila Lalu.

Directed by Gawad CCP awardee indie director Sandino Magno

More than a hundred men… Brought to the southern part of the Philippines to be secretly trained in guerrilla tactics… The year was 1967 and their mission was to infiltrate and invade Sabah, Malaysia. But early in the morning of March 18, 1968, something happened on 100 recruits. They are killed by their superiors when they suspected rebellion. Suspicions circulate that Marcos himself abandoned the plan and silenced the involved.

Directed by Onin Tagaro

March

August 21, 1983 has gone down in history as the day former Senator Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. But 12 years before Ninoy’s death, another event happened that left a deep mark in history: the Plaza Miranda Bombing. The incident started when a political rally of the Liberal Party members are preparing for their speech when unknown gunmen throws grenades and shoots the panicked crowd. Many persons, including several politicians. Marcos declared martial law afterwards.Suspects included from rebels, to Marcos himself to declare the law and cancel the election.

Directed by Kiri Lluch Dalena.

Flor Contemplacion, a 42-year-old maid was hanged to death for murder. She was accused of killing Delia Maga, another OFW, and her four-year-old Singaporean ward. It was a bitter ending for Flor as she was hanged at 6:00 on the morning of March 17, 1995 with three male drug traffickers. Suspects included Contemplacion herself, or Delia's employer, a Singaporean Chinese man that was angry over Delia due to her negligence resulting to his son's death, killed Delia and framed Flor

Directed by Jon Red.

On March 14, 2005, 6:30 a.m. A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf was scheduled to be brought to court for an early hearing. As handcuffs were about to be put on him, he grabbed the jail guard's firearm and shot at other prison officers. Other imprisoned members of the Abu Sayyaf immediately got out of their cells, armed themselves and barricaded the second floor of the building at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan where they were incarcerated. A prison riot and siege ensued and ends up all Abu Sayyaf members, including some high-ranking members, killed, along with some jailguards and police officers.

Directed by Sasi Casas

China Airlines flight 811 lands in Manila International Airport between the hours of later morning and early noon of August 21, 1983. Despite the heavy presence of more than 1,000 members of the military and police on the tarmac with three armed bodyguards escorting him, someone found an opportunity to fatally shoot Ninoy Aquino in the head. The man was identified as Rolando Galman at first but reports say that Galman was presumed innocent and scapegoated. Afterwards, his wife and his girlfriend vanished without a trace after the incident. The AVSECOM soldiers were later tried and were imprisoned. Some were released later but others died during the incarceration.

Directed by Richard Somes

April

On July 2, 1993, during the Bocaue River Festival tragedy struck when around 500 people rode the floating pagoda causing it to sink killing more than 200. The pagoda float was way beyond its capacity. Despite hundreds of lives lost, no one seems to have been made accountable for the tragedies. But along the tragedy, heroism prevailed in the form of a Muslim scout volunteer named Sajid Bulig.

Directed by J. Pacena

In September 1991 Maricris Sioson, a 22-year-old dancer arrived in the Philippines in a casket. The Japanese government said that she died from hepatitis, but she had burns, bruises and stab wounds all over her body. Suspicion arose to her Japanese live-in partner.

Directed by Benji Garciayjufgchdfrh

It was the night of August 6, 2008 and the birthday of Tara Santelices. She was on her way home to Cainta with her friend, Joee Mejias, when they got mugged in the jeepney they were riding. Tara was shot in the head after struggling with the mugger over her bag. She was comatosed and later died.

Directed by Jade Francis Castro

May

Dr. Jose Rizal is known to be the Philippines' national hero. To some Filipinos, however, he is more than that. They consider Rizal to be the "Kristong Kayumanggi" or the "Brown Christ".

Directed by Ruelo Lozendo

On the night of April 25, 1990, UP law graduate Ernesto "Cochise" Bernabe II and his beautiful girlfriend Anna Lourdes "Beebom" Castaños were abducted outside a restaurant where they planned to have dinner. After 19 years, the prime suspect Rodolfo Manalili was granted Executive Clemency although he was sentenced to double-life imprisonment.

Directed by Aloy Adlawan

Edgar Bentain, a former PAGCOR employee became known as the one who caught then-Vice President Joseph Estrada on camera playing poker with some friends. After many years, he just disappeared.

Directed by Martin Cabrera

The death of a girl named Rosario Baluyot (renamed "Neneng" for legal protection) in May 1987 wakes the country to the reality of pedophilia. Neneng and another child named Jessie Ramirez (renamed as Boyet) were sexually molested in a hotel by a foreigner named Heinrich Stefan Ritter, an Austrian medical doctor in 1986. Ritter made Boyet masturbate and get an erection while he inserts an electric vibrator in Neneng's vagina when his penis did not fit in but the vibrator's screw broke off. Boyet sleepily saw the incident but ignored it. After the children were paid the next morning, seven months later, Neneng complained of pain in her private part. She was found unconscious in a rural sidewalk by a bystander and with the help of a group by a Filipino-American priest, Fr. Shay Cullen, an operation was done to remove the vibrator's screw in her cervix. Her conditions worsened and she dies of blood poisoning. Ritter was first convicted and sentenced for two years in prison but the Supreme Court acquits and deports him back to Austria. The story focuses on pedophile cases. And the story goes to Pagsanjan, a thriving town,prostitution including young girls, teens and even young male rowers in Pagsanjan Falls. There is also pictures of suspected trafficked kids was shown.

NOTE: This was one of the episodes that GMA and the show had real people renamed for legal purposes

Directed by Jeyow Evangelista

June

More than two decades have passed since former President Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from power but the shadow of his regime reaches to this day. There are Martial Law victims requesting for compensations.

Directed by Mario AV Guzman

Every family dreams to have a house of their own. This became the reason why Cherry Hills Subdivision was built for the poor families who cannot afford a house and lot of their own. A tragedy suddenly struck the Cherry Hills residents on the night of August 2, 1999 when Typhoon Olga hits the Philippines. Because the subdivision was built on a sloped ground, a landslide occurred, burying 300 homes and more than 50 people alive.

Directed by Paolo Herras

Bro. Eli Soriano, the well-known televangelist and leader of Ang Dating Daan was charged of raping Daniel Veridiano. The case, however, was initially dismissed but was refiled by former DOJ secretary Raul Gonzales. Today, Veridiano is a member of Iglesia ni Cristo.Eli Soriano is now in exile in United States and does his preaches there after he became wanted in Philippines for libel, perjury, and rape of Veridiano and others.

Directed by Michael Angelo Dangalan

Kilusang Mayo Uno leader Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay met their deaths in November 1986 when members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa were said to have killed them to wreak havoc. This was during the term of the late former President Cory Aquino when coups d'état were being launched left and right. Suspects ranges from Government agents to disgruntled extreme leftists.

Directed by Ogi Suhatan

July

It was the height of the war between the United States and the Philippines when rumours that Gen. Antonio Luna was going to launch a coup d'état against President Emilio Aguinaldo. To prevent him from carrying out his alleged plan, on June 5, 1899 soldiers close to the president hacked Gen. Luna to death. Strangely, not one of the soldiers involved in the general’s death was punished. He was shown being hacked to death by his own men.

Directed by Tara Illenberger

Jose Ma. "Bong" Panlilio was charged for the murder of brother's Albert Gutierrez and Ariel De Castro. Today, he is one of the PNP's Most Wanted criminals with a reward of 5 million pesos and is now posted everywhere around the country. The PNP's search for Panlilio continues up until now. He was now captured in Thailand on 2010.

Directed by EJ Salcedo

Marlene Esperat, a former employee of the Department of Agriculture and a journalist, once dreamed of ridding the government agency she worked for of corruption. But on March 24, 2005, she was forever silenced by a single gunshot. Suspected are members of DA implied by Esperat in scams involving the department.

Directed by Ron Bryant

Something strange happened in Sitio Kulasisi, San Luis, Antipolo on December 3, 1993. The usually meek Winefredo Masagca went into rage and hacked five people to death. Many thought he was possessed by evil spirits,including his own wife.But Police investigations revealed that he was a part of a heist in a farm, but relented. He was silenced by the actual thieves by poisoning him, dismissing the suspicion of committing suicide in the tree after the thieves hacked to death the sleeping neighbors in their house, dispelling Masagca doing it alone.

Directed by Jerrold Tarog

Tara Santelices died on July 27, 2009, after struggling to live for almost a year. Her story is told on the ABS-CBN show, Maalaala Mo Kaya in the episode "Gitara" (Guitar)

Directed by Jade Francis Castro

August

It was said to be Filipino-American Melissa Roxas’ worst nightmare: to be (allegedly) abducted and tortured. According to Melissa's account, the incident happened on May 19, as she said, when soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines accused her of being a member of the New People’s Army.

Directed by Ed Lejano

Many were shocked on December 2, 2008 to hear from the news that former 1970s singing star Didith Reyes died. The reports said she had a heart attack. Her only son, Arvey, thinks otherwise. He believes that the alleged constant beating her mother experienced from her live-in partner Eulogio Disongla may have caused her death.

Directed by Earl Bontuyan

The midnight hours of December 3, 1998 is the event of tragedy. 28 people died and many of them were rescued from the fire in the Associacion de Damas de Filipinas Settlement House. But, due to the help of President Joseph Estrada, the Settlement House was reconstructed.

Directed by Cris Pablo

On November 7, 2005, a shoot-out occurred in Ortigas Avenue between members of a carnap group made up of sons of influential people and TMG. According to the Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police. Three members of the Valle Verde Group, one of the known carnapping groups in Metro Manila were killed by the police. The team leader is Hansel Marantan, infamous and notorious in cases like the shootout which killed a father and his daughter and the Atimonan Rubout case involving security guards of a former Police Colonel and the police and soldiers led by Marantan.

Directed by Philip Espina

September

On June 13, 1996, 5 men were responsible for the ambush murder of Col. Rolando Abadilla in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. The suspects became known as the "Abadilla 5".

Directed by Borgy Torre III

Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, sister of former beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda went missing since March 14, 2007. After two years, she was found in a steel case in a drum filled with cement in a sea in Navotas. Until now, the case is still running.

Directed by Vic Acedillo Jr.

Forty-two-year-old mother and wife Karen Vertido will never forget March 29, 1996. She claims that she was raped by her 60-year-old boss, Jose Custodio on that date. Her grief continued when the court found Custodio not guilty of rape.

Directed by Pam Miras

On April 16, 2008, Apong Lucing Cunanan was found dead inside her own home in Pampanga. Her husband and children suspect robbers came into the house to steal money and jewelry from the family vault and when they found out that she was awake, they killed her. But the police found evidences that point her husband killed her when they quarrel about her husband's obsession with gambling and the money she saved losing every time. Until now, the case is running while her husband is incarcerated.

Directed by Hector Macaso

October

The Philippines was badly hit by Typhoon Ondoy. Metro Manila was heavily flooded, resulting to more than 200 deaths. Millions worth of properties were also damaged due to the raging floodwaters. With these casualties, many still wonder how it happened. What are the measures that should have been done to prevent Ondoy's wrath? , 4 years after Ondoy wrath on November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (strongest typhoon in history) make landfall in the Visayas region, resulting to more than 6,000 deaths.

Because they were promised that the company would double their investments, many agreed to put their money in Multitel. Unfortunately, their get-rich-easy plans turned into one of the biggest scam in the country's history. It was called the Multitel Pyramiding Scam.

Directed by Arnold S. Argaño

Tragedy struck in a subdivision in Paranaque on December 5, 2008. Jun De Vera and his daughter, Lia was allegedly caught in a crossfire between the police and a gang of criminals. Jun and Lia died. Ten months after their death, Jun's widow Lilian is still crying for justice. She wants to know if there was foul play in the supposedly accidental shooting. Directed by Elfardo

It's been almost seven decades, but the worst memories of the comfort women from the Japanese Imperial army are still etched in their minds. They filed every possible case against them. Up to now, the government of Japan ignores their plea. Directed by Arnold S. Argaño

November

It has been two years since the Glorietta Mall bombing in Makati on October 19, 2007, but a lot of questions are still left unanswered. What caused the fatal bombing? Was it an accident or an act of terrorism? Until now, this case is still unclosed.

Directed by Ray Defante Gibraltar

The celebration of Calumpit, Bulacan’s fiesta two years ago was suddenly cut short when the town’s former mayor, Ramon “Monching" Pagdanganan, younger brother of former Governor Obet Pagdanganan was ambushed. He died on the spot. Suspects includes his political rival and members of NPA. Directed by Elfardo

Prudencio Calubid along with his wife were abducted and tortured as they were going home in Samar on June 26, 2006. They say that they were abducted by the military and they are still missing and are presumed dead until now. Directed by Arnold Argaño

Some historians claim that during the last few days, Rizal retracted all his strong views of corruption and abuse of power by the Spanish friars. If proven true, it can be a basis to question Rizal's status as our National Hero.

Directed by Arnold Argaño

December

Judge Henrick Gingoyon was shot dead in Bacoor, Cavite on New Year's Eve 2005. Gingoyon is known as the judge in some of the most talked issues in the Philippines. The suspect is still unknown.

Directed by Ric Reyes

On Christmas Day 2006, the Picardal family went to a carnival fair in Marikina. But tragedy struck Kimberly and Katherine Picardal. Reyes family was also present in the carnival, but the child was disabled by the tragedy. Both victims of the tragedy, Picardals helps Reyeses for the justice which still eludes them.

Directed by Arnold Argaño

More than four thousand passengers from the provinces of Samar and Leyte boarded MV Dona Paz on December 20, 1987. They were all hoping to celebrate Christmas in Manila. Halfway through the travel, tragedy struck when an oil tanker collides the passenger ship. Until now, Sulpicio Lines never finished paying the damage caused of the accident.

Directed by Arnold Argaño

This was the year-end special, showing three previous episodes: "Dacer-Corbito Murder Case", "Ang Pagkawala ni Geraldine Palma" and "Ang Bakas ng Karahasan: The Chiong Murder Case".

2010 episodes

January

On April 28, 2007, San Carlos City, Pangasinan Mayor Julian Resuello was shot dead while attending their town fiesta. Directed by Elfardo

Teachers are said to be modern-day heroes during the election season. But in some cases, such momentous event could also have a tragic ending. It was dawn of May 9, 1995 when two men allegedly snatched the ballots from a group of election officers at Talaga Elementary School in Mabini, Batangas. In the middle of the commotion, Filomena Tatlonghari was shot by unidentified man. Directed by Arnold Argaño

On July 31, 2004, radio commentator Roger Mariano was ambushed by armed men while on his way home. After six years, there was no court decision on his case. Directed by Arnold Argaño

On December 16, 2007, fashion designer Ernest Santiago was found dead in Pagsanjan, Laguna after robbers invaded his house and killed him. After two years, the family of Santiago is still hoping for justice. Directed by Arnold Argaño

February

In the Part 1 of the special episode, Case Unclosed revisited the worst tragedies that besieged the nation. Cases of fire, maritime disasters and landslides that took thousands of lives and damaged millions of properties. Has anyone been made accountable for these tragedies?

In the Part 2 of the special episode, Case Unclosed revisited the controversies of history and showed the episodes "Antonio Luna", "Gregorio del Pilar, Bayani o Berdugo?", "Bayani nga ba?", "Lihim ng 1897", "Yaman ni Yamashita", "Desaparecidos", "Plaza Miranda Bombing" and "Magsaysay Plane Crash".

In the Part 3 of the special episode, Case Unclosed will revisit again the stories of violence against Women and showing the episodes are the following: "Nida Blanca Murder Case", "Sisig Queen", "Ruby Rose Barrameda Story", "Lucila Lalu: Chop-chop Lady" and "Didith Reyes: Namatay o Pinatay?".

In the final episode, Case Unclosed will revisit again the stories of violence against Youth and showing the episodes are the following: "Ang Pagkawala ni Geraldine Palma" and "Wala na si "Neneng".

Awards and recognition

Public Attorney's Office Awards

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption

See also

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