Cons- People vs Jara

8/13/2019 Cons- People vs Jara

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ManilaEN BANC

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,Plaintiff-Appellee,

G. R. No. L-61!6-!"

Septe#$e% &, 1'(6 -)e%*+*-FELICISIMO ARA, REMN/O 0ERGARAan ROBERTO BERNA/AS,

/efenant*-Appellant*.

/ E C I S I O NGTIERRE2, R., .3

4e a%e, on5e aain, 5on*t%aine to ta7e a 8a% loo7 into t8e *+ffi5ien59 of e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* a* t8e *ole $a*i* fo% t8e i#po*ition of t8e *+p%e#e penalt9of eat8. T8e t8%ee appellant* <e%e all *enten5e to eat8 in C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6> fo% Ro$$e%9 <it8 Ho#i5ie. In t8e 5o#panion 5a*e of pa%%i5ie, one <a**enten5e to anot8e% eat8 penalt9 <8ile t8e t<o ot8e% appellant* %e5ei)e *enten5e* %anin f%o# 1= to =& 9ea%* of i#p%i*on#ent. O+% ta*7 i* #ae iffi5+lt $9t8e fa5t t8at t8e 5%i#e* <e%e *pe5iall9 %+t8le** an $a%$a%o+* in t8ei% 5o##i**ion. No le** t8an t8e 5o+n*el fo% t8e appellant* *tate* t8at t8e people of P+e%toP%in5e*a a%e no *t%ane%* to 5%i#e an t8at t8e f%e?+en59 of 5%i#inal a5t* in t8ei% 5it9 8a* *o#e8o< $en+#$e t8e *en*i$ilitie* of it* 5iti@en*. et, t8e i*5o)e%9on +ne ', 1'"( of t8e $%+tall9 an $al9 $a*8e 5o%p*e* of t<o <ell-7no<n an lo)e <o#en of t8ei% 5o##+nit9 <a* *till *8o57in to t8ei% *en*e*.

T8e%e i* t8e ae fa5to% t8at t8e poli5e offi5e%* <8o in)e*tiate t8e 5%i#e an *e5+%e t8e 5onfe**ion* *ee#e *o 5e%tain t8at inee t8e t8%ee appellant* a%et8e #alefa5to%*. T8e 5onfe**ion* a%e 5on)in5in in t8ei% etail*. T8e t%ial 5o+%t note t8at $ot8 )i5ti#* <e%e a**a+lte an 7ille <it8 t8e #i8t an f+%9 of one

%eall9 <8o 8a 8a%$o%e *o lon a %+e an 8ate an onl9 Feli5i*i#o a%a 8a t8at 7in of ill-<ill aain*t 8i* e*t%ane <ife an 8e% fe#ale 5o#panion.Mo%eo)e%, a%a, a %e5ii)i*t fo% t8e 5%i#e of 8o#i5ie, <a* 58a%a5te%i@e a* an e:pe%ien5e 7ille%. T8e%e #+*t $e #an9 %e*ient* of P+e%to P%in5e*a <8o a%et8+*, 5on)in5e a$o+t t8e 5o%%e5t *ol+tion of t8e 5%i#e. An pe%8ap*, t8e appellant* 5o+l 8a)e $een t8e 7ille%*.5%ala<

T8e f+n5tion of t8i* Co+%t, 8o<e)e%, i* not to in+le in *+%#i*e* o% p%o$a$ilitie*. T8e i**+e $efo%e * i* <8et8e% o% not t8e e)ien5e of +ilt i* a#i**i$le +ne%t8e *tana%* fi:e $9 t8e Con*tit+tion an, if t8e ?+ant+# of p%oof <8i58 4e a%e allo<e $9 t8e Con*tit+tion to 5on*ie%, e*ta$li*8e* +ilt $e9on %ea*ona$leo+$t.5%ala<

T8e e5i*ion of t8e fo%#e% Co+%t of Fi%*t In*tan5e of Pala<an, "t8 +i5ial /i*t%i5t, B%an58 1 in t8e 5on*oliate 5a*e* of People of t8e P8ilippine* )e%*+*Feli5i*i#o a%a, et al. C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6> fo% Ro$$e%9 <it8 Ho#i5ieD an People of t8e P8ilippine* )*. Feli5i*i#o a%a, et al. C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6!fo% Pa%%i5ie i* in)ol)e in t8i* a+to#ati5 %e)ie<. All t8e t8%ee a55+*e in C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6> <e%e *enten5e to *+ffe% t8e #a:i#+# penalt9 of eat8, toine#nif9 ;ointl9 an *e)e%all9 t8e 8ei%* of t8e e5ea*e A#pa%o Banti+e in t8e *+# of Pl,&&&.&&, t8e a#o+nt *tolen, an t8e *+# of P1=,&&&.&&. InC%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6!, fo% t8e 7illin of L+i*a a%a, a55+*e Feli5i*i#o a%a <a* fo+n +ilt9 $e9on %ea*ona$le o+$t of t8e 5%i#e of pa%%i5ie an #ete o+tt8e #a:i#+# penalt9 of eat8 <8ile t8e t<o ot8e% a55+*e <e%e fo+n +ilt9 of 8o#i5ie an *enten5e to *+ffe% an inete%#inate penalt9 of t<el)e 1= 9ea%*of p%i*ion #a9o% a* #ini#+#, to t<ent9 =& 9ea%* of %e5l+*ion te#po%al a* #a:i#+#. All t8e a55+*e <e%e o%e%e to ine#nif9, ;ointl9 an *e)e%all9, t8e 8ei%*of L+i*a a%a in t8e *+# of P1=,&&&.&&.5%ala<

T8e Info%#ation fo% t8e 5%i#e of Ro$$e%9 <it8 Ho#i5ie in C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6> %ea* a* follo<*3

T8at on o% a$o+t t8e 't8 a9 of +ne, 1'"(, a$o+t 13& o5lo57 in t8e #o%nin, at Mal)a% St., P+e%to P%in5e*a Cit9, P8ilippine* an <it8in t8e ;+%i*i5tion of t8i*Hono%a$le Co+%t, t8e a$o)e-na#e a55+*e, 5on*pi%in an 5onfee%atin toet8e% an #+t+all9 8elpin ea58 ot8e%, <it8 intent to 7ill, e)ient p%e#eitationan t%ea58e%9, afte% ainin ent%an5e to t8e 8o+*e t8%+ t8e <ino<, an openin not intene fo% ent%an5e o% e%e**, i t8en an t8e%e <ilf+ll9, +nla<f+ll9 anfelonio+*l9 *t%i7e <it8 a 8a##e%, A#pa%o 0a. e Banti+e, 8ittin 8e% on t8e )ital pa%t* of 8e% $o9 an *ta$$e <it8 a *5i**o% <8ile *8e <a* *o+nl9 *leepinin 8e% $e%oo# <it8 one, L+i*a a%a, t8e%e$9 5a+*in 8e% in*tantaneo+* eat8 a* a %e*+lt t8e%eof, an t8at afte% 7illin A#pa%o 0a. e Banti+e, a55+*e in5on*pi%a59 <it8 ea58 ot8e%, <it8 intent to ain an <it8o+t t8e 5on*ent of t8e o<ne% t8e%eof, too7, *tole an 5a%%ie a<a9 a pi9 $an7 an a $+8a $an75ontainin #one9 in t8e a#o+nt of not #o%e t8an P=&&.&&, to t8e a#ae an p%e;+i5e of t8e 8ei%* of A#pa%o 0a. e Banti+e, in t8e total a#o+nt of T<el)eT8o+*an T<o H+n%e Pe*o* P1=,=&&.&&, P8ilippine C+%%en59.

CONTRAR TO LA4 an 5o##itte <it8 a%a)atin 5i%5+#*tan5e* of Re5ii)i*# <it8 %e*pe5t to a55+*e Feli5i*i#o a%a, t8e latte% 8a)in $een p%e)io+*l95on)i5te of t8e 5%i#e of 8o#i5ie in t8e Co+%t of Fi%*t In*tan5e of Iloilo, an t8e a%a)atin 5i%5+#*tan5e aain*t all t8e a55+*e t8at t8e 5%i#e <a* 5o##itte<it8 t%ea58e%9, in t8e <ellin of t8e offene pa%t9, in t8e ni8tti#e, an <it8 %e*pe5t to a55+*e Re9#+no 0e%a%a an Ro$e%to Be%naa*, fo% 8a)inpa%ti5ipate in t8e 5o##i**ion of t8e 5%i#e in 5on*ie%ation of a p%i@e o% %e<a%.

In C%i#inal Ca*e No. =!6!, t8e Info%#ation 58a%e t8e a55+*e a* follo<*3

T8at on o% a$o+t +ne ', 1'"(, at a$o+t 13& o5lo57 in t8e #o%nin, at Mal)a% St., P+e%to P%in5e*a Cit9, P8ilippine* an <it8in t8e ;+%i*i5tion of t8i* Hono%a$leCo+%t, t8e a$o)e-na#e a55+*e, 5on*pi%in an 5onfee%atin toet8e% an #+t+all9 8elpin ea58 ot8e%, <it8 intent to 7ill, t%ea58e%9 an e)ient p%e#eitation,i t8en an t8e%e <ilf+ll9, +nla<f+ll9 an felonio+*l9 *t%i7e *e)e%al ti#e*, <it8 a 8a##e% one, L+i*a a%a, <8o i* t8e la<f+ll9 <ee <ife of a55+*e Feli5i*i#oa%a, an t8e%eafte%, *ta$$e 8e% <it8 a *5i**o% in 8e% 58e*t an a$o#en, <8ile t8e latte% <a* *o+nl9 *leepin <it8 one, A#pa%o 0a. e Banti+e, %e*+ltin tot8e in*tantaneo+* eat8 of *ai L+i*a a%a, to t8e a#ae an p%e;+i5e of t8e 8ei%* of *ai L+i*a a%a in t8e a#o+nt of T<el)e T8o+*an P1=,&&&.&& Pe*o*,P8ilippine C+%%en59.

CONTRAR TO LA4 an 5o##itte <it8 t8e a%a)atin 5i%5+#*tan5e* of %e5ii)i*# <it8 %e*pe5t to a55+*e Feli5i*i#o a%a, t8e latte% 8a)in $een p%e)io+*l95on)i5te of t8e 5%i#e of Ho#i5ie in t8e CFI of Iloilo, an t8e a%a)atin 5i%5+#*tan5e aain*t all t8e a55+*e, na#el93 1 t8at t8e 5%i#e <a* 5o##itte in t8e<ellin of t8e offene pa%t9, = in t8e ni8tti#e, an t%ea58e%9D an t8e a%a)atin 5i%5+#*tan5e aain*t a55+*e Re9#+no 0e%a%a an Ro$e%toBe%naa* of 8a)in pa%ti5ipate in t8e 5o##i**ion of t8e 5%i#e in 5on*ie%ation of a p%i@e o% %e<a%.

All t8e a55+*e pleae not +ilt9 +%in t8e a%%ain#ent. On #otion $9 t8e p%o*e5+tion an t8e efen*e, t8e 5o+%t a ?+o o%e%e a ;oint t%ial of t8e t<o 5a*e*<8i58 a%o*e f%o# one in5ient an <8e%e t8e <itne**e* a%e t8e *a#e. T8e fa5t* a55o%in to t8e p%o*e5+tion a%e a* follo<*3

At a$o+t 63&& o5lo57 in t8e ea%l9 #o%nin of +ne ', 1'"(, t8e <ait%e**e* at Al)in* Canteen *it+ate in Mal)a% St%eet, P+e%to P%in5e*a Cit9, <one%e <89 t8ei%e#plo9e%, t8e e5ea*e A#pa%o Banti+e, i not an*<e% <8en t8e9 5alle at 8e% oo% t8at #o%nin p. ", T.S.N., Ma%58 =1, 1'"'. T8e9 <ent to t8e 7it58enan peepe t8%o+8 a 8ole. T8e9 *a< A#pa%o an L+i*a a%a *ee#inl9 a*leep. T8e9 aain <ent to t8e oo% an 7no57e $+t *till no an*<e% 5a#e. T8e<ait%e**e* 5alle one of L+i*a a%a* <ait%e**e* at Aileen* 5anteen ne:t oo%. Be5o#in app%e8en*i)e, t8e9 <ent $a57 to t8e 7it58en fo% a *e5on loo7. T8e9i*5o)e%e t8e follo<in3 A#pa%o an L+i*a <e%e $ot8 l9in in $eD L+i*a <a* %e**e onl9 in 8e% +ne%<ea% an t8e%e <a* %ie $loo in one of 8e% 8an*D

A#pa%o, *ee#inl9 a*leep, la9 $e*ie 8e% pp. '-11, T.S.N., Ma%58 =1, 1'"'. Finall9, t8e9 e5ie to info%# L+i*a* a+8te%, Mine%)a, a$o+t t8ei%app%e8en*ion. 48en t8e9 #et Mine%)a at t8e p+$li5 #a%7et, *8e tea%f+ll9 a55o#panie t8e# $a57 to A#pa%o* %oo#. 48en no one an*<e%e t8ei% 7no57in,Mine%)a 7i57e open t8e oo%. pp. 11-1=, T.S.N., Ma%58 =1, 1'"'. In*ie, t8e9 fo+n t8e t<o <o#en ea f%o# <o+n* infli5te on t8ei% pe%*on* p. 1, T.S.N.,Ma%58 =1, 1'"'.5%ala<



T8e 8+*$an of L+i*a, appellant Feli5i*i#o a%a, t8en ente%e t8e %oo# an *a< t8e 5onition of t8e )i5ti#* p. 1!, T.S.N., Ma%58 =1, 1'"'. In*ie t8e %oo#,*e)e%al 5e%a#i5 pi9 $an7* $elonin to A#pa%o 5ontainin 5oin* e*ti#ate in t8e a#o+nt of P1,&&&.&& <e%e #i**in p. >, T.S.N., Fe$%+a%9 6, 1'"'.S5atte%e +ne%neat8 t8e <ino< of A#pa%o* $e%oo# <e%e 5oin* an $it* an pie5e* of <8at +*e to $e 5e%a#i5 pi9 $an7* E:8. FD pp. 1"-=&, T.S.N.,Fe$. 6, 1'"'. Late%, t<o *+*pe5t* in t8e 7illin, appellant* Re9#+no 0e%a%a an Ro$e%to Be%naa*, <e%e app%e8ene pp. !'-6&, T.S.N., Ma%58 1', 1'"'.

Afte% in)e*tiation, t8e9 5onfe**e t8ei% +ilt to t8e P%o)in5ial Co##ane% of t8e P8ilippine Con*ta$+la%9 in Pala<an an ot8e% poli5e in)e*tiato%* pp. =6-1,TS.N., Ma9 =(, 1'"'. T8e9 al*o po*iti)el9 ientifie appellant Feli5i*i#o a%a a* t8e #a*te%#in <8o 8a plotte t8e 7illin an <8o p%o#i*e t8e# a fee ofP1,&&&.&& ea58 fo% t8ei% pa%ti5ipation E:8i$it* O an N. Befo%e t8e Cit9 Fi*5al an Fi%*t A**i*tant Cit9 Fi*5al of P+e%to P%in5e*a Cit9, %e*pe5ti)el9, appellant*0e%a%a an Be%naa* *+$*5%i$e an *<o%e to t8ei% e:t%a-;+i5ial *tate#ent* <8e%ein t8e9 na%%ate t8ei% %ole an t8at of Feli5i*i#o a%a in t8e 7illin *eeE:8i$it* O an N.5%ala<

T8e%eafte%, t8e 7illin <a* %eena5te $efo%e t8e #ilita%9 a+t8o%itie* an t8e p+$li5, <it8 appellant* 0e%a%a an Be%naa* pa%ti5ipatin p. 1>, T.S.N., +l9 1',

1'"'.5%ala<

T8e a+top*9 %epo%t* E:8i$it* A an C *+$#itte $9 /%. R+fino n@on, t8e Cit9 Healt8 Offi5e% of P+e%to P%in5e*a on t8e e:a#ination of t8e 5aa)e%* of t8ee5ea*e )i5ti#* ini5ate t8at eat8 in $ot8 5a*e* %e*+lte f%o# 8e#o%%8ae, int%a-5%anial *e5ona%9 to #+ltiple 5o##in+te-ep%e**e f%a5t+%e of t8e 5%anial$one*. A#pa%o Banti+e* <o+n* <e%e e*5%i$e a* follo<*3

POST MORTEM FIN/INGS

1. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t 1 l> in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate at t8e fo%e8ea,%i8t, +ppe% po%tion.

=. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t 1 1 in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate at t8e fo%e8ea,5ent%al po%tion.

. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 5i%5+la% in *8ape, a$o+t 1 1! in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate at t8efo%e8ea, #eiall9 to t8e left e9e$%o<.

>. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 t%ian+la% in *8ape <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate a$o)e t8e left e9e$%o<.

!. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, elonate <it8 f%a5t+%e of t8e al)eola% $one, lo5ate at t8e +ppe% lip, 5ent%al po%tion.

6. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, elonate, a$o+t 1= in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one <it8 $%ain ti**+e 5o#in o+t lo5ate att8e left pa%ieto te#po%al %eion.

". 4o+n, #a5e%ate, elonate, a$o+t =1= in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate at t8e left te#po%al %eion,ante%io% po%tion.

(. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, elonate, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e left fa5e.

'. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e %i8t te#po%al%eion.

1&. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, elonate, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one lo5ate at t8e %i8t fa5e.

11. 4o+n, *ta$$e, a$o+t an in58 in lent8 at t8e %i8t 58e*t, $et<een t8e % an >t8 inte%5o*tal *pa5e, penet%atin t8e t8o%a5i5 5a)it9 in)ol)in t8e %i8t l+n.

1=. 4o+n, *ta$$e, a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8, lo5ate at t8e 58e*t, 5ent%al po%tion, penet%atin t8e *te%n+#, t8en t8o%a5i5 5a)it9 pie%5in t8e %i8t a+%i5le, 8ea%t.

1. 4o+n, *ta$$e, a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8, lo5ate at t8e %i8t +ppe% a$o#en penet%atin t8e a$o#inal 5a)it9 in)ol)in t8e li)e% an *to#a58. E:8i$it A.

CASE OF /EATH3 HEMORRHAGE INTRA-CRANIAL SEC. TO MLTIPLE COMMINTE/-/EPRESSE/ FRACTRE OF THE CRANIAL BONES.

On t8e ot8e% 8an, L+i*a a%a *+ffe%e f%o# t8e follo<in <o+n*3

POST MORTEM FIN/INGS

1. 4o+n,#a5e%ate,%o+8l9 5i%5+la% in *8ape,a$o+t 1 1= in58e* in ia#ete% <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one*, lo5ate at t8e %i8tf%ontal %eion.

=. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, <it8 a lette% T *8ape, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e 5ent%al po%tionof t8e f%ontal %eion.

. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 t%ian+la% in *8ape, a$o+t 1 1= in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e %i8t*ie of t8e no*e.

>. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 elonate in *8ape, a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e lefte9e$%o<, late%al po%tion.

!. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e left late%alpo%tion of t8e fo%e8ea.

6. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e pa%ietal %eion,

left.

". 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 elonate in *8ape a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e te#po%al%eion, left.

(. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 elonate in *8ape, a$o+t 11= in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8ete#po%al %eion, left.

'. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 *tellate in *8ape, a$o+t = in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e left#ani$+la% %eion.

1&. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 o)al in *8ape, a$o+t 1 l= in58e* in lent8, <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e left fa5e.



11. 4o+n,in5i*e,a$o+t l > in58e* in lent8, lo5ate at t8e left +ppe% po%tion of ne57, left *ie.

1=. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 elonate in *8ape, a$o+t in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e %i8tte#po%al %eion.

1. Cont+*ion <it8 8e#ato#a, 5i%5+la% in *8ape, lo5ate late%all9 f%o# t8e %i8t e9e$%o<.

1>. 4o+n, #a5e%ate, %o+8l9 elonate in *8ape a$o+t = in58e* in lent8 <it8 ep%e**e-5o##in+te f%a5t+%e of t8e +ne%l9in $one, lo5ate at t8e o55ipital%eion, +ppe% po%tion.

1!. 4o+n, *ta$$e, a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8, lo5ate at t8e 58e*t, 5ent%al po%tion penet%atin in*ie t8e t8o%a5i5 5a)it9 in)ol)in 8ea%t an l+n.

16. 4o+n, *ta$$e, a$o+t 1 in58 in lent8, lo5ate at t8e le)el of t9p8oi p%o5e** penet%atin t8e t8o%a5i5 5a)it9 in)ol)in t8e %i8t l+n, lo<e% lo$e. E:8i$itC.

CASE OF /EATH3 HEMORRHAGE, INTRA-CRANIAL SEC. TO MLTIPLE COMMINTE/-/EPRESSE/ FRACTRE OF THE CRANIAL BONES.

Feli5i*i#o a%a enie t8e 58a%e t8at 8e <a* t8e one <8o 7ille 8i* <ife, L+i*a, toet8e% <it8 8e% f%ien, A#pa%o Banti+e. He inte%po*e ali$i a* a efen*e ante*tifie t8at at t8e ti#e t8e 7illin* too7 pla5e at Al)in* Canteen at Mal)a% St%eet, P+e%to P%in5e*a Cit9, 8e <a* fa*t a*leep <it8 8i* %an58il%en at 8i**tepa+8te%* 8o+*e in Pinea S+$i)i*ion. T8e ot8e% a55+*e, Re9#+no 0e%a%a an Ro$e%to Be%naa*, %et%a5te t8ei% %e*pe5ti)e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion*a#ittin t8ei% pa%ti5ipation in t8e 5%i#e* 58a%e an ientif9in t8ei% #a*te%#in a* t8e a55+*e a%a +%in p%o5eein* $efo%e t8e In?+e*t Fi*5al. T8e95onte*te t8e a#i**i$ilit9 of t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* an t8e *+$*e?+ent %e-ena5t#ent of t8e 5%i#e on t8e %o+n t8at t8ei% pa%ti5ipation* in t8e*eo55a*ion* <e%e not f%ee an )ol+nta%9 an <e%e <it8o+t t8e $enefit of 5o+n*el.

T8e 5o+%t $elo< %+le t8at t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* of t8e a55+*e Be%naa* an 0e%a%a E:8i$it* N an O, %e*pe5ti)el9, toet8e% <it8 t8e p%oof of5o%p+* eli5ti of t8e Spe5ial C%i#e of Ro$$e%9 <it8 Ho#i5ie e*ta$li*8e t8e +ilt of t8e a55+*e $e9on #o%al 5e%taint9. In t8ei% $%ief, t8e a55+*e-appellant*5ontene t8at t8e 5o+%t a ?+o e%%e3

I.IN CON0ICTING THE ACCSE/ /ESPITE THE TTER ABSENCE OF AN IN/ OF E0I/ENCE, /IRECT OR CIRCMSTANTIAL.II.IN A/MITTING THE ALLEGE/ ETRA-/ICIAL CONFESSIONS OF ACCSE/-APPELLANTS REMN/O 0ERGARA AN/ ROBERTO BERNA/AS,4HICH 4ERE TAEN THR FORCE AN/ 4ITHOT BENEFIT OF CONSEL.III.IN A/MITTING THE ALLEGE/ ETRA-/ICIAL CONFESSIONS OF ACCSE/-APPELLANTS REMN/O 0ERGARA AN/ ROBERTO BERNA/AS

AGAINST THEIRCO-ACCSE/, APPELLANT FELICISIMO ARA.I0.IN FIN/ING THE PRESENCE OF CONSPIRAC /ESPITE THE ABSENCE OF PROOF THEREOF.0.IN ALLO4ING THE PLAING OF AN ALLEGE/ TAPE/ CONFESSION.0I.

IN A/MITTING THE PICTRES, EHS. T TO T- =, 4HICH 4ERE NE0ER PROPERL I/ENTIFIE/. All t8e*e a**ine e%%o%* $oil o<n to t8e i**+e of <8et8e% o% not t8e%e i* *+ffi5ient e)ien5e a* $o%ne $9 t8e %e5o%* to e*ta$li*8 t8e +ilt of t8e a55+*e $e9on%ea*ona$le o+$t.5%ala<Se5tion =&, A%ti5le I0 of t8e Con*tit+tion p%o)ie*3

No pe%*on *8all $e 5o#pelle to $e a <itne** aain*t 8i#*elf. An9 pe%*on +ne% in)e*tiation fo% t8e 5o##i**ion of an offen*e *8all 8a)e t8e %i8t to %e#ain*ilent an to 5o+n*el, an to $e info%#e of *+58 %i8t. No fo%5e, )iolen5e, t8%eat, inti#iation, o% an9 ot8e% #ean* <8i58 )itiate* t8e f%ee <ill *8all $e +*eaain*t 8i#. An9 5onfe**ion o$taine in )iolation of t8i* *e5tion *8all $e ina#i**i$le in e)ien5e.

T8e%e i* no i*p+te t8at t8e 5onfe**ion* in t8e*e 5a*e* <e%e o$taine in t8e a$*en5e of 5o+n*el. A55o%in to t8e %e5o%*, t8e%e <a* a <ai)e% $9 t8e a55+*e-appellant* of t8ei% %i8t to 5o+n*el.

4a* t8e <ai)e% )ali

4e a%e 5on*t%aine to an*<e% t8i* ?+e*tion in t8e neati)e.5%ala<

Befo%e t8e e:t%a;+i5ial 5onfe**ion of appellant Be%naa* <a* %e+5e to <%itin, Pf5. Hen%9 E. P+la, in t8e p%e*en5e of fo+% ot8e% poli5e offi5e%*, #ae t8efollo<in Pa*+$ali follo<e $9 t8e an*<e%, Opo3

PASBALI3 I7a< a9 na*a ilali# n i*an pa*i*i9a*at at a8il ito a9 ipina$a$ati na#in *a i9o an i9on #a 7a%apatan na *a ilali# n atin Baon SalianBata* a9 i7a< a9 #a9 7a%apatan 7+#+8a n i*an #anananol o a$oao a9on *a *a%ili #on pili #a9%oon 7a %in 7a%apatan na 8ini #aaa%in pilitin*+#aot *a an+#an itatanon *a i9o *a alin#an H+7+#an *a Pilipina*. Na++na<aan #o $a an la8at n #a ipinali<ana na#in *a i9o na9on

SAGOT3 Opo.

Li7e<i*e, in t8e 5a*e of t8e a55+*e 0e%a%a, t8e fo%e<o% of 8i* *ine *<o%n *tate#ent %ea*3

TANONG3 Ma%+non po $a 7a9on *+#+lat $+#a*a n taalo at +#+na<a n <i7an taalo na *i9a natin aa#itin *a pa*i*i9a*at na ito

SAGOT3 Na7a7a+na<a po a7o at na7a7a$a*a pe%o *a pa*+lat a9 8ini #a*9ao.

PALI4ANAG3 +n a9on po a9 ipina$a$ati 7o *a in9o an in9on 7a%apatan na 7a9o a9 #aaa%in #anatilin ta8i#i7 7+n in9on nai*, #a$ia9 ot+#anin #a$ia9 n in9on *ala9*a9, #aaa%i in na 7a9o a9 *+#an+ni #+na *a i*an a$oao 7+n nai* nin9o at an la8at po n in9on *a*a$i8in a9#aaa%in a#itin pa$o% o la$an *a in9o *a an+#an H+7+#an ito *a atin 7ap+l+an na9on ala# na nin9o an ilan *a in9on 7a%apatan 7a9o po $a na#ana9 8ana na na9on #a*ala9*a9 7a8it na 7a9o a9 <ala pan a$oaon 7a8a%ap na *i9an #ananalaa *a in9on 7a%apatan at la8at po n in9on*a*a$i8in a9 pa<an 7at+t+8anan la#an

SAGOT3 Opo.

SG/. REMN/O 0ERGARA /ELA CR2



PATNA3 A7o *i Re9#+no 0e%a%a ela C%+@ a9 na*a*aa na ipinaala# *a a7in an a7in 7a%apatan #anatilin ta8i#i7, 7+n a7in nanai*in, na an la8atna a7in *a*a$i8in a9 #aaa%in a#itin pa$o% o la$an *a a7in at nala#an 7o %in na a7o a9 #aaa%in 7+#+8a n *a%ili 7on a$oao na *i9an nananalaan a7in 7a%apatan na 7+n 8ini 7o 7a9an 7+#+8a a9 $i$i9an a7o n pa#a8alaan.

Na++na<aan 7o an #a 7a%apatan ito, 8ana at 7+*an loo$ a7on na$i$ia9 n a7in *ala9*a9 na9on, *a tanon at *aot na pa%aan. Hini 7o na7ailanan an t+lon n i*an a$oao, na++na<aan 7o an a7in inaa<a, <alan panana7ot, panana7it, pana7o, pa$+9a o an+#an na ina<a *a a7in+pan a7o a9 #a*ala9*a9. Ito a9 *a%ili 7on 7a+*t+8an.

SG/. REMN/O 0ERGARA /ELA CR2

T8i* *te%eot9pe a)i5e appea%in in p%a5ti5all9 all e:t%a;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* <8i58 a%e late% %ep+iate 8a* a**+#e t8e nat+%e of a leal fo%# o% #oel.Poli5e in)e*tiato%* eit8e% a+to#ati5all9 t9pe it toet8e% <it8 t8e 5+%t Opo a* t8e an*<e% o% a*7 t8e a55+*e to *in it o% e)en 5op9 it in t8ei% 8an<%itin. It*ti%e, p+n5tilio+*, fi:e, an a%tifi5iall9 *tate *t9le oe* not 5%eate an i#p%e**ion of )ol+nta%ine** o% e)en +ne%*tanin on t8e pa%t of t8e a55+*e. T8e*8o<in of a *pontaneo+*, f%ee, an +n5on*t%aine i)in +p of a %i8t i* #i**in.

48ene)e% a p%ote5tion i)en $9 t8e Con*tit+tion i* <ai)e $9 t8e pe%*on entitle to t8at p%ote5tion, t8e p%e*+#ption i* al<a9* aain*t t8e <ai)e%. Con*e?+entl9,t8e p%o*e5+tion #+*t p%o)e <it8 *t%onl9 5on)in5in e)ien5e to t8e *ati*fa5tion of t8i* Co+%t t8at inee t8e a55+*e <illinl9 an )ol+nta%il9 *+$#itte 8i*5onfe**ion an 7no<inl9 an eli$e%atel9 #anife*te t8at 8e <a* not inte%e*te in 8a)in a la<9e% a**i*t 8i# +%in t8e ta7in of t8at 5onfe**ion. T8at p%oof i*#i**in in t8i* 5a*e.5%ala<

T8e %e5o%* *+*tain t8e appellant* 5ontention t8at t8ei% e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* $ea% 5lea% ea%#a%7* of illealit9 an i#p%o$a$ilit9. T8e Soli5ito% Gene%al i)e*t8e follo<in a%+#ent* fo% )ol+nta%ine**3

An e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion i* ene%all9 p%e*+#e to 8a)e $een )ol+nta%il9 e:e5+te People ). Ca*taJea, ' SCRA !6. T8e 5onfe**ant 5a%%ie* t8e $+%en of5on)in5in t8e t%ial ;+e t8at 8i* a#i**ion* a%e in)ol+nta%9 o% +nt%+e People ). Ra#o*, '> SCRA (>=. T8e t%ial 5o+%t, in t8i* 5a*e, <a* not 5on)in5e t8at t8ee:t%a;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* of appellant* <e%e #ae in)ol+nta%il9. Con*ie% t8e follo<in %ea*on* fo% t8e 5o+%t* %ef+*al to len 5%een5e to appellant* 5lai#3

1 Apa%t f%o# appellant* *elf-*e%)in 5lai#, no ot8e% e)ien5e on %e5o% *+ppo%t* t8e alleation of in)ol+nta%ine** People ). 0illa, ' SCRA "16.

= On t8e 5ont%a%9, *e)e%al p%o*e5+tion <itne**e* te*tifie t8at t8e 5onfe**ion* <e%e )ol+nta%il9 i)en.

Appellant* o%al an <%itten 5onfe**ion* i)en at )a%io+* ti#e* to *e)e%al in)e*tiatin a+t8o%itie*, not to #ention t8e p+$li5 %e-ena5t#ent of t8e 5%i#e it*elf,i not )a%9 an t8e9 %e)eale etail* onl9 t8e a**ailant* 5o+l 8a)e po**i$l9 7no<n People ). T9 S+i 4on, ( SCRA 1=!D People ). Ba+ti*ta 9 A?+ino, '=SCRA >6!.

> Appellant* 5onfe**ion* <e%e 5o%%o$o%ate $9 t8e e:i*ten5e of 5o%p+* eli5ti e*ta$li*8e $9 inepenent e)ien5e People ). F%an5i*5o, ' SCRA !1.

! T8e 5lai# of 5oe%5ion 5annot p%e)ail o)e% t8e te*ti#on9 of t8e *+$*5%i$in fi*5al t8at *ai 5onfe**ion <a* )ol+nta%9 People ). Ca%a#onte, '> SCRA 1!&.

T8e People ). Ca*taJea %+lin applie* to a 5%i#e 5o##itte $efo%e t8e Bill of Ri8t* <a* a#ene to in5l+e Se5tion =& on t8e %i8t to %e#ain *ilent an to5o+n*el an to $e info%#e of *+58 %i8t. T8e p%e*+#ption t8at no one <o+l e5la%e an9t8in aain*t 8i#*elf +nle** *+58 e5la%ation* <e%e t%+e a**+#e*t8at *+58 e5la%ation* a%e i)en f%eel9 an )ol+nta%il9. T8e ne< Con*tit+tion, in e:p%e**l9 aoptin t8e *o-5alle Mi%ana ). A%i@ona (> .S. >6 %+le, 8a*%e)e%*e t8e p%e*+#ption. T8e p%o*e5+tion #+*t no< p%o)e t8at an e:t%a;+i5ial 5onfe**ion <a* )ol+nta%il9 i)en, in*tea of %el9in on a p%e*+#ption an

%e?+i%in t8e a55+*e to off*et it. T8e%e <o+l 8a)e $een no nee to a#en t8e 5ent+%ie*-ol p%o)i*ion* of t8e Bill of Ri8t* an to e:p%e**l9 a t8e inte%i5tiont8at no fo%5e, )iolen5e, t8%eat, inti#iation, o% an9 ot8e% #ean* <8i58 )itiate* t8e f%ee <ill *8all $e +*e aain*t 8i# t8e pe%*on $ein in)e*tiate if t8ef%a#e%* intene * to 5ontin+e appl9in t8e p%e-1'" o% p%e-a#en#ent p%e*+#ption*.

Mi%ana ). A%i@ona, in e:plainin t8e %+le <8i58 t8e .S. S+p%e#e Co+%t aopte, *tate*3

48ile t8e a#i**ion* o% 5onfe**ion* of t8e p%i*one%, <8en )ol+nta%il9 an f%eel9 #ae, 8a)e al<a9* %an7e 8i8 in t8e *5ale of in5%i#inatin e)ien5e, if ana55+*e pe%*on $e a*7e to e:plain 8i* appa%ent 5onne5tion <it8 a 5%i#e +ne% in)e*tiation, t8e ea*e <it8 <8i58 t8e ?+e*tion* p+t to 8i# #a9 a**+#e anin?+i*ito%ial 58a%a5te%, t8e te#ptation to p%e** t8e <itne** +n+l9, to $%o<$eat 8i# if 8e $e ti#i o% %el+5tant, to p+*8 8i# into a 5o%ne% an to ent%ap 8i# intofatal 5ont%ai5tion*, <8i58 i* *o painf+ll9 e)ient #ae t8e 5ontinental *9*te# *o oio+* a* to i)e %i*e to a e#an fo% it* total a$olition.

It i* nat+%al an to $e e:pe5te t8at t8e poli5e offi5e%* <8o *e5+%e t8e 5onfe**ion* in t8e*e 5a*e* *8o+l te*tif9 t8at t8e *tate#ent* <e%e )ol+nta%il9 i)en.Ho<e)e%, t8e %e5o%* *8o< t8at t8e inte%%oation* <e%e 5on+5te in5o##+ni5ao in a poli5e-o#inate at#o*p8e%e. 48en appellant Be%naa* a)e 8i*5onfe**ion, 8i* 5o#panion* in t8e %oo# <e%e fi)e poli5e offi5e%*. T8e onl9 people <it8 0e%a%a <8en 8e 5onfe**e <e%e al*o poli5e in)e*tiato%*. 4e ?+ote

*o#e #o%e pa**ae* f%o# Mi%ana3

Aain, 4e *t%e** t8at t8e #oe%n p%a5ti5e of in-5+*to9 inte%%oation i* p*958oloi5all9 %at8e% t8an p89*i5all9 o%iente. A* <e 8a)e *tate $efo%e, Sin5eC8a#$e%* ). Flo%ia, &', S ==" (> L e "16, 6& S Ct >"=, t8i* Co+%t 8a* %e5oni@e t8at 5oe%5ion 5an $e #ental a* <ell a* p89*i5al, an t8at t8e $loo oft8e a55+*e i* not t8e onl9 8all#a%7 of an +n5on*tit+tional in?+i*ition. Bla57$+%n ). Ala$a#a, 61 S 1'', =&6, > L e = =>=, =>", (& S Ct ="> K1'6&.Inte%%oation *till ta7e* pla5e in p%i)a59. P%i)a59 %e*+lt* in *e5%e59 an t8i* in t+%n %e*+lt* in a ap in o+% 7no<lee a* to <8at in fa5t oe* on in t8e inte%%oation%oo#*. A )al+a$le *o+%5e of info%#ation a$o+t p%e*ent poli5e p%a5ti5e*, 8o<e)e%, #a9 $e fo+n in )a%io+* poli5e #an+al* an te:t* <8i58 o5+#ent p%o5e+%e*e#plo9e <it8 *+55e** in t8e pa*t, an <8i58 %e5o##en )a%io+* ot8e% effe5ti)e ta5ti5*. T8e*e te:t* a%e +*e $9 la< enfo%5e#ent aen5ie* t8e#*el)e* a*+ie*. It *8o+l $e note t8at t8e*e te:t* p%ofe**el9 p%e*ent t8e #o*t enli8tene an effe5ti)e #ean* p%e*entl9 +*e to o$tain *tate#ent* t8%o+8 5+*toialinte%%oation. B9 5on*ie%in t8e*e te:t* an ot8e% ata, it i* po**i$le to e*5%i$e p%o5e+%e* o$*e%)e an note a%o+n t8e 5o+nt%9.

T8e offi5e%* a%e tol $9 t8e #an+al* t8at t8e p%in5ipal p*958oloi5al fa5to% 5ont%i$+tin to a *+55e**f+l inte%%oation i* p%i)a59 - $ein alone <it8 t8e pe%*on+ne% inte%%oation. T8e effi5a59 of t8i* ta5ti5 8a* $een e:plaine a* follo<*3

If at all p%a5ti5a$le, t8e inte%%oation *8o+l ta7e pla5e in t8e in)e*tiato%* offi5e o% at lea*t in a %oo# of 8i* o<n 58oi5e. T8e *+$;e5t *8o+l $e ep%i)e of e)e%9p*958oloi5al a)antae. In 8i* o<n 8o#e, 8e #a9 $e 5onfient, ininant, o% %e5al5it%ant. He i* #o%e 7eenl9 a<a%e of 8i* %i8t* an #o%e %el+5tant to tell of 8i*ini*5%etion* o% 5%i#inal $e8a)io% <it8in t8e <all* of 8i* 8o#e. Mo%eo)e% 8i* fa#il9 an ot8e% f%ien* a%e nea%$9, t8ei% p%e*en5e lenin #o%al *+ppo%t. In 8i* o<noffi5e, t8e in)e*tiato% po**e**e* all t8e a)antae*. T8e at#o*p8e%e *+e*t* t8e in)in5i$ilit9 of t8e fo%5e* of t8e la<.

To 8i8li8t t8e i*olation an +nfa#ilia% *+%%o+nin*, t8e #an+al* in*t%+5t t8e poli5e to i*pla9 an ai% of 5onfien5e in t8e *+*pe5t* +ilt an f%o# o+t<a%appea%an5e to #aintain onl9 an inte%e*t in 5onfi%#in 5e%tain etail*. T8e +ilt of t8e *+$;e5t i* to $e po*ite a* a fa5t. T8e inte%%oato% *8o+l i%e5t 8i*5o##ent* to<a% t8e %ea*on* <89 t8e *+$;e5t 5o##itte t8e a5t, %at8e% t8an 5o+%t fail+%e $9 a*7in t8e *+$;e5t <8et8e% 8e i it. Li7e ot8e% #en, pe%8ap* t8e*+$;e5t 8a* a $a fa#il9 life, 8a an +n8app9 58il8oo, 8a too #+58 to %in7, 8a an +n%e?+ite e*i%e fo% <o#en. T8e offi5e%* a%e in*t%+5te to #ini#i@e t8e#o%al *e%io+*ne** of t8e offen*e, to 5a*t $la#e on t8e )i5ti# o% on *o5iet9. T8e*e ta5ti5* a%e e*ine to p+t t8e *+$;e5t in a p*958oloi5al *tate <8e%e 8i* *to%9i* $+t an ela$o%ation of <8at t8e poli5e p+%po%t to 7no< al%ea9 - t8at 8e i* +ilt9. E:planation* to t8e 5ont%a%9 a%e i*#i**e an i*5o+%ae.

T8e te:t* t8+* *t%e** t8at t8e #a;o% ?+alitie* an inte%%oato% *8o+l po**e** a%e patien5e an pe%*e)e%an5e. One <%ite% e*5%i$e* t8e effi5a59 of t8e*e58a%a5te%i*ti5* in t8i* #anne%3



In t8e p%e5ein pa%a%ap8*, e#p8a*i* 8a* $een pla5e on 7inne** an *t%atae#*. T8e in)e*tiato% <ill, 8o<e)e%, en5o+nte% #an9 *it+ation* <8e%e t8e*8ee% <ei8t of 8i* pe%*onalit9 <ill $e t8e e5iin fa5to%. 48e%e e#otional appeal* an t%i57* a%e e#plo9e to no a)ail, 8e #+*t %el9 on an opp%e**i)eat#o*p8e%e of oe pe%*i*ten5e. He #+*t inte%%oate *teail9 an <it8o+t %elent, lea)in t8e *+$;e5t no p%o*pe5t of *+%e 5ea*e. He #+*t o#inate 8i* *+$;e5tan o)e%<8el# 8i# <it8 8i* ine:o%a$le <ill to o$tain t8e t%+t8. He *8o+l inte%%oate fo% a *pell of *e)e%al 8o+%*, pa+*in onl9 fo% t8e *+$;e5t* ne5e**itie* ina57no<le#ent of t8e nee to a)oi a 58a%e of +%e** t8at 5an $e te58ni5all9 *+$*tantiate. In a *e%io+* 5a*e, t8e inte%%oation #a9 5ontin+e fo% a9*, <it8t8e %e?+i%e inte%)al* fo% foo an *leep, $+t <it8o+t %e*pite f%o# t8e at#o*p8e%e of o#ination. It i* po**i$le in t8i* <a9 to in+5e t8e *+$;e5t to tal7 <it8o+t%e*o%tin to +%e** o% 5oe%5ion. T8e #et8o *8o+l $e +*e onl9 <8en t8e +ilt of t8e *+$;e5t appea%* 8i8l9 p%o$a$le. (> S at pp. >>(->!1.

T8e 5ite poli5e #an+al* *tate t8at t8e a$o)e #et8o* *8o+l $e +*e onl9 <8en t8e +ilt of t8e *+$;e5t appea%* 8i8l9 p%o$a$le. A* ea%lie% *tate, t8ein)e*tiato%* in t8e 5a*e* no< $efo%e * appea% to 8a)e $een 5on)in5e t8at t8e a55+*e-appellant* <e%e t8e 5+lp%it*. Nonet8ele**, t8e e)il* of in5o##+ni5aointe%%oation* <it8o+t ae?+ate *afe+a%* to in*+%e )ol+nta%ine** 5o+l *till %e*+lt in t8e 5on)i5tion of inno5ent pe%*on*. Mo%e i#po%tant, <8at t8e Con*tit+tion5o##an* #+*t $e o$e9e e)en at t8e %i*7 of lettin e)en 8a%ene 5%i#inal* #i: on5e #o%e <it8 t8e la<-a$iin <o%l.

A* to t8e %e-ena5t#ent, t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial-5onfe**ion* *e%)e a* a *5%ipt fo% <8at <a* to follo<. Pi5t+%e* %e-ena5tin a 5%i#e <8i58 a%e $a*e on an ina#i**i$le5onfe**ion a%e t8e#*el)e* ina#i**i$le. T8e%e a%e ot8e% fa5to%* to $e 5on*ie%e in t8e*e 5a*e*. 0e%a%a an Ba%naa* 8a $een etaine fo% #o%e t8an t<o= <ee7* $efo%e t8e9 e5ie to i)e )ol+nta%9 5onfe**ion*. 4e o+$t if it <a* t<o <ee7* of *o+l-*ea%58in an int%o*pe5tion alone <8i58 le t8e# to 5onfe**.T8e%e #+*t 8a)e $een ot8e% pe%*+a*ion*.5%ala<

T8e%e <e%e t<o *en*ational #+%e% 5a*e* in Pala<an <8i58 p%e5ee t8e 7illin* no< $efo%e *. T8e PC Co##an an t8e Inte%ate National Poli5e <e%e+ne% p%e**+%e to *ol)e t8e*e aitional *en*ational 7illin*. T8e 5o+n*el fo% appellant* #ention* a fa5to% not %ef+te $9 t8e appellee in it* $%ief, na#el93

LT. COL. SABAS IMBONG, SGT. EGENIO ENRIE2, PFC HENR PLGA an CPL. A/OLFO AGMIS all a%e 5onne5te <it8 t8e P%o)in5ial Con*ta$+la%9Co##an <8i58 in)e*tiate t8e 5a*e, p%e#at+%el9 p+$li5i@e t8e *ol+tion of t8e 5a*e <it8 t8e allee e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* of t<o = a55+*e, $+t <8o<e%e %e$+ffe <8en t8e t<o = a55+*e, +pon t8e fi%*t oppo%t+nit9 to o *o in p+$li5, <8i58 <a* t8e p%eli#ina%9 in)e*tiation, %e5ante an %et%a5te t8ei%allee e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* a* t8e9 <e%e ta7en <it8 t8e +*e of fo%5e, )iolen5e, an inti#iation, <a* p%epa%e $9 t8e in)e*tiato%* t8e#*el)e*, an

<it8o+t $enefit of 5o+n*el.5%ala<

All a%e 5o#%ae* in-a%#* of Pat. Ma#e%to Banti+e, <8o i* t8e *on of t8e e5ea*e A#pa%o Banti+e. Pat. Banti+e <a* i#pli5ate in *e)e%al 5oe%5ion anp89*i5al in;+%ie* 5a*e* file <it8 t8e Cit9 Co+%t $9 pe%*on* <8o 8a $een p89*i5all9 atta57e an )iolate $9 8i# in 5onne5tion <it8 t8e #+%e% of 8i* #ot8e%.Li7e<i*e, 8e e)ae ;+*ti5e $9 e*5apin f%o# t8e la< afte% #+%e%in a 5o#panion of a55+*e a%a an atte#ptin to 7ill t8e latte%. He %e#ain* at la%e.5%ala<

A PC Se%eant, O*5a% Pon5e e Leon, a**ine at t8e PC Mei5al /i*pen*a%9, te*tifie t8at 8e t%eate Ro$e%to Be%naa* fo% 5ia%ette $+%n* an Re9#+no0e%a%a fo% a <o+n at t8e tip of 8i* %i8t 8an. 48ile t8e #ei5ine 8e applie <a* onl9 #e%t8iolate, t8e po**i$ilit9 5annot $e i*5o+nte t8at in aition to t8ep*958oloi5al effe5t of in5o##+ni5ao ?+e*tionin, li8te 5ia%ette* an ot8e% #ean* of pe%*+a*ion <8i58 lea)e p89*i5al #a%7*, <e%e al*o +tili@e to *e5+%et8e 5onfe**ion*.5%ala<

A55+*e Re9#+no 0e%a%a <a* i)en an oppo%t+nit9 to o *5ot f%ee $9 t+%nin *tate <itne**. He %ef+*e. Apa%t f%o# t8ei% e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion*, no ot8e%e)ien5e to i#pli5ate Be%naa* an 0e%a%a a* pe%pet%ato%* of t8e 7illin <a* int%o+5e $9 t8e p%o*e5+tion. Sin5e t8e*e 5onfe**ion* a%e ina#i**i$le ine)ien5e, t8e t<o appellant* 8a)e to $e a5?+itte.5%ala<

T8e *t%one*t e)ien5e aain*t Feli5i*i#o a%a a%e t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* of 8i* t<o 5o-a55+*e. Be%naa* an 0e%a%a point to a%a a* t8e one <8o

$l+eone t8e t<o )i5ti#* <it8 a 8a##e% an t8en +*e a pai% of *5i**o%* in infli5tin t8e *ta$ <o+n*. He <a* al*o allee to 8a)e offe%e t8e# P1,&&&.&&ea58 if t8e9 <o+l 8elp 8i# in t8e 7illin of 8i* <ife. Ho<e)e%, *in5e t8e 5onfe**ion* of Be%naa* an 0e%a%a a%e ina#i**i$le aain*t t8e#, <it8 #o%e %ea*on5an t8e9 not $e +*e aain*t a%a.5%ala<

Apa%t f%o# t8e a$o)e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion*, ot8e% 5i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e <a* p%e*ente to *+ppo%t a )e%i5t of 5on)i5tion. 4o+l *+58 e)ien5e in t8ea$*en5e of t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial 5onfe**ion* $e *+ffi5ient to o)e%t+%n t8e p%e*+#ption of inno5en5e in fa)o% of t8e a55+*e a%a E)ien5e atte*tin to t8e fa5t t8ata55+*e a%a an 8i* <ife 8a not $een in oo te%#* fo% a$o+t t8%ee 9ea%* $efo%e t8e 7illin* <a* p%e*ente. T8e9 +*e to ?+a%%el <it8 ea58 ot8e% an t8e98a not $een *leepin toet8e% *in5e t8e e5ea*e L+i*a a%a *lept at Al)in* Canteen toet8e% <it8 t8e ot8e% e5ea*e, A#pa%o Banti+e. Goof%eo Ana*i*nep8e< of L+i*a a%a, te*tifie t8at 8i* a+nt <a* a to#$o9 an t8at *8e an A#pa%o Banti+e li)e toet8e% a* 8+*$an an <ife. T8e t<o <ent to t8e#o)ie* toet8e%. T8e %elation*8ip of t8e t<o <o#en ane%e Feli5i*i#o a%a an <a* a 5a+*e of t8ei% f%e?+ent ?+a%%el*. He %e*ente not onl9 8i* <ife $+t al*o8e% <o#an 5o#panion.5%ala<

T8e te*ti#on9 on t8e fa5t of L+i*a a%a an A#pa%o Banti+e *leepin toet8e% i* 5o%%o$o%ate $9 t8e fa5t t8at t8e9 <e%e $l+eone to eat8 <8ile *leepin onone $e an t8ei% $oie* i*5o)e%e on t8at *a#e $e. At t8e Aileen* Canteen #anae $9 t8e e5ea*e L+i*a, a55+*e Feli5i*i#o a%a i t8e 5oo7in an<8ene)e% 8e 5o##itte e)en t8e *li8te*t #i*ta7e*, 8i* <ife *5ole an 5+%*e 8i#, t%eatin 8i# a* t8o+8 8e <e%e onl9 one of t8e *e%)ant* of t8e %e*ta+%ant.T.S.N., Ma9 1, 1'"', pp. 1(=1-1(&. T8e %e5o%* a%e %eplete <it8 te*ti#on9 to *8o< t8at Feli5i*i#o a%a 8a %ea*on to 8ate 8i* <ife eno+8 to 7ill 8e% an 8e%5o#panion.5%ala<

T8e lo<e% 5o+%t, in it* e5i*ion, *tate t8at t8e nat+%e an t8e n+#$e% of <o+n*, %efle5te in t8e a+top*9 %epo%t*, 5on)in5inl9 *8o< t8at onl9 a pe%*on <8o 8a8a%$o%e *o #+58 8ate an %e*ent#ent 5o+l 8a)e infli5te *+58 #+ltiple fatal $lo<*. It opine t8at a55+*e a%a i* t8e onl9 pe%*on <8o <o+l 8a)e *+ffi5ient#oti)e to <i*8 t8e eat8 of t8e e5ea*e fo% 8e 8a not $een t%eate <ell a* a 8+*$an $9 8i* <ife.5%ala<

/+%in t8e in)e*tiation at t8e *5ene of t8e 5%i#e, $loo *tain* <e%e fo+n *platte%e in t8e t%o+*e%* an *8i%t <o%n $9 a55+*e a%a. Hi* e9ela**e* <e%e al*o*#ea%e <it8 $loo. 48en a*7e to e:plain t8e p%e*en5e of *ai $loo *tain*, a55+*e a%a tol t8e poli5e t8at $efo%e 8e lea%ne a$o+t t8e 7illin, 8e <a* <it88i* *tepa+8te% Mine%)a i#ene@ in t8e p+$li5 #a%7et %e**in 58i57en*. T.S.N., Ma9 =(, 1'"', pp. '"-'(. He al*o *ai in 8i* te*ti#on9 in open 5o+%t t8at<8en 8e *a< 8i* <ife l9in ea on t8e $e, 8e app%oa58e 8e% an 8+e 8e% in 8i* effo%t to <a7e 8e% +p. T.S.N., Septe#$e% &, 1'(&, p. 1=&. Afte% ala$o%ato%9 e:a#ination of t8e e9ela**e* E:8i$it I, t%o+*e%* E:8i$it , an *8i%t E:8i$it , t8e NBI $ioloi*t )e%ifie in 8e% %epo%t t8at t8e $loo *tain*<e%e not 58i57en $loo $+t 8+#an $loo E:8i$it L. T8e $loo *tain* fo+n in a55+*e a%a* t%o+*e%* fo%#e 5e%tain ienti5al 5i%5+la% patte%n*, a *platte%in of$loo <8i58, a55o%in to t8e NBI $ioloi*t, 5o+l $e 5a+*e $9 an in*t%+#ent li7e t8at of a 8a##ne%. S+58 5i%5+la% patte%n* <ill onl9 o55+% at t8e ti#e of t8ei#pa5t of t8e in*t%+#ent, t8e )e%9 #o#ent it 8it* t8e )i5ti#. He f+%t8e% e:plaine t8at t8e%e <a* no po**i$ilit9 of t8e *platte%in of $loo if t8e )i5ti# ie 8o+%*$efo%e $e5a+*e $loo *ta%t* to 5oa+late o% 5lo, 1! #in+te* afte% t8e <o+n i* 5a+*e. T.S.N., Ma%58 1', 1'"', pp. =="D =>>D =>(-=!&. T8e $loo of t8ee5ea*e )i5ti#* in t8e 5a*e at $a% 8a al%ea9 5oa+late in t8e #o%nin of +ne ', 1'"(, <8en a55+*e a%a 5lai#e t8at t8e $loo *tain* on 8i* *8i%t <e%e*#+e <8en 8e 8+e 8i* <ife.5%ala<

T8e NBI $ioloi*t, <8o*e finin* <e%e late% *ine $9 t8e C8ief of t8e Fo%en*i5 C8e#i*t%9 /i)i*ion, te*tifie t8at 8+#an $loo <a* fo+n on t8e e9ela**e* ofappellant a%a, on t8e f%ont *ie lo<e% po%tion of t8e left le of t8e t%o+*e%*, at t8e left $+tto57* of t8e pant* an t8e $a57 po%tion nea% t8e t%o+*e%*, an *#+e8+#an $loo *tain* on t8e appellant* T-*8i%t. T8e 8+#an $loo *tain* <e%e T9pe B. A fail+%e to et e)ien5e on t8e $loo t9pe* of t8e t<o )i5ti#* 7eep* t8i**e5on 5i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e, toet8e% <it8 t8e 5lea% #oti)e, f%o# $ein <ell-ni8 5on5l+*i)e. Ho<e)e%, it i* *till *t%on e)ien5e in t8e 58ain of 5i%5+#*tan5e*pointin to a%a a* t8e 7ille% of 8i* <ife.5%ala<

Anot8e% 5i%5+#*tan5e i* t8e 5o)e%-+p atte#pt $9 a%a. He lie a$o+t t8e $loo on 8i* 5lot8e* an e9ela**e*. He fal*el9 5lai#e t8at t8e $loo 5a#e f%o# t8e58i57en* 8e 8a $een *la+8te%in fo% t8e #a%7et. T8e%e i* no e:planation a$o+t t8e *o+%5e an 5a+*e of t8e 8+#an $loo *tain* *platte%e all o)e% 8i#.5%ala<

T8e%e i* no ?+e*tion t8at appellant a%a <a* at t8e *5ene of t8e 5%i#e. pon t8e i*5o)e%9 of t8e $oie* an t8e fo%5i$le openin of t8e oo%, a%a <a* <it8 t8e%o+p. He <ent t8%o+8 t8e #otion* of e#$%a5in 8i* <ife alt8o+8 t8e o$*e%)e%* note t8at e)en in eat8, t8e%e <a* no lo)e lo*t $et<een 8+*$an an <ife.



One of t8e <ait%e**e* at t8e Al)in* Canteen <8o *a< a55+*e a%a* %ea5tion a* 8e ente%e t8e %oo# <8e%e t8e )i5ti#* la9 ea o$*e%)e t8at 8e *8e notea%* an 8i* fa5e i not *8o< an9 ini5ation of *o%%o<. T.S.N., Ma%58 =1, 1'"', pp. "-">.5%ala<

T8e 8a##e% +*e in t8e 7illin i* an in*t%+#ent <it8 <8i58 appellant a%a i* fa#ilia%. It <a* p%o)en +%in t8e t%ial of t8e 5a*e t8at t8e 8a##e% <it8 t8e lette% Aon it* 8anle <8i58 <a* one of t8e in*t%+#ent* +*e in t8e pe%pet%ation of t8e 5%i#e, $elone to L+i*a a%a <8o 8a 7ept it at Aileen* Canteen <8e%e 8e%8+*$an, appellant a%a 8elpe a* 5oo7.5%ala<

R+le 1, Se5tion ! of t8e R+le* of Co+%t p%o)ie*3

Ci%5+#*tantial e)ien5e, <8en *+ffi5ient. - Ci%5+#*tantial e)ien5e i* *+ffi5ient fo% 5on)i5tion if3

a T8e%e i* #o%e t8an one 5i%5+#*tan5eD

$ T8e fa5t* f%o# <8i58 t8e infe%en5e* a%e e%i)e a%e p%o)enD an

5 T8e 5o#$ination of all t8e 5i%5+#*tan5e* i* *+58 a* to p%o+5e a 5on)i5tion $e9on a %ea*ona$le o+$t. See People ). /+e%o, 16 SCRA !1!.

Ci%5+#*tantial e)ien5e, a* a $a*i* fo% 5on)i5tion of a 5%i#e, *8o+l $e a5te on an <ei8e <it8 %eat 5a+tion, pa%ti5+la%l9 <8e%e t8e 5%i#e i* 8eino+* an t8epenalt9 i* eat8, a* in t8e in*tant 5a*e*. In ete%#inin t8e *+ffi5ien59 of 5i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e to *+ppo%t a 5on)i5tion, ea58 5a*e i* to $e ete%#ine on it*o<n pe5+lia% 5i%5+#*tan5e* an all of t8e fa5t* an 5i%5+#*tan5e* a%e to $e 5on*ie%e toet8e% a* a <8ole, an, <8en *o 5on*ie%e, #a9 $e *+ffi5ient to*+ppo%t a 5on)i5tion, alt8o+8 one o% #o%e of t8e fa5t* ta7en *epa%atel9 <o+l not $e *+ffi5ient fo% t8i* p+%po*e. = CS p. !!!. No ene%al %+le 8a* $eenfo%#+late a* to t8e ?+antit9 of 5i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e <8i58 <ill *+ffi5e fo% an9 5a*e, $+t t8at #atte%* not. Fo% all t8at i* %e?+i%e i* t8at t8e 5i%5+#*tan5e*p%o)e #+*t $e 5on*i*tent <it8 ea58 ot8e%, an at t8e *a#e ti#e in5on*i*tent <it8 t8e 89pot8e*i* t8at 8e i* inno5ent an <it8 e)e%9 ot8e% %ational 89pot8e*i*e:5ept t8at of +ilt. People ). Contante, 1= SCRA 6!.

T8e %e?+i%e#ent* fo% 5i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e to *+*tain a 5on)i5tion a%e p%e*ent in t8i* 5a*e. T8e afo%e#entione 5i%5+#*tan5e* 5on*tit+te an +n$%o7en 58ainleain to one fai% an %ea*ona$le 5on5l+*ion <8i58 point* to t8e +ilt of t8e a55+*e a%a $e9on %ea*ona$le o+$t See S ). 0illo*, 6 P8il. !1&D People ).S+$ano, " P8il. 6'=. Me%e enial* of t8e a55+*e a* to 8i* pa%ti5ipation in t8e 5%i#e a%e onl9 *elf-*e%)in neati)e e)ien5e <8i58 5annot o+t<ei85i%5+#*tantial e)ien5e 5lea%l9 e*ta$li*8in 8i* a5ti)e pa%ti5ipation in t8e 5%i#e.5%ala<

T8e efen*e of ali$i i)en $9 t8e a55+*e a%a i* <ea7. A*ie f%o# 8i#*elf, t8e onl9 pe%*on <8o )o+58e fo% 8i* p%e*en5e at *o#e pla5e a<a9 f%o# t8e *5eneof t8e 5%i#e <a* 8i* *tepa+8te% f%o# <8o# 8e 8a *o+8t a$oe. Hen5e, t8e ali$i i* #ae #o%e +$io+* 5on*ie%in t8at no ot8e% 5%ei$le pe%*on* <e%ep%e*ente <8o <o+l, in t8e nat+%al o%e% of t8in*, $e $e*t *it+ate to *+ppo%t t8e tene%e ali$i People ). Ca$anit, 1' SCRA '>, 5itin People ). B%io*o, "SCRA 6D People ). Baa*ala, ' SCRA =6D People ). Ca%ino, !! SCRA !16. Mo%e i#po%tantl9, t8e efen*e of ali$i 5annot p%o*pe% $e5a+*e it i* not eno+8to p%o)e t8at efenant <a* *o#e<8e%e el*e <8en t8e 5%i#e <a* 5o##itte. He #+*t, li7e<i*e, e#on*t%ate t8at it <a* p89*i5all9 i#po**i$le fo% 8i# to 8a)e$een at t8e *5ene of t8e 5%i#e at t8at ti#e. People ). Al5anta%a, SCRA (1=. S+58 p%oof i* <antin in t8i* 5a*e.5%ala<

T8e 7illin of A#pa%o Banti+e <a* #a%7e $9 t%ea58e%9 an e)ient p%e#eitation. T8e t%ial 5o+%t note %e5ii)i*# in*ofa% a* Feli5i*i#o a%a, p%e)io+*l95on)i5te of Ho#i5ie, <a* 5on5e#e, toet8e% <it8 <ellin an ni8tti#e. Ho<e)e%, t8e *+ppo*e %o$$e%9 of t8e pi9 $an7 an B+8a $an7 i* p%o)e onl9$9 t8e e:t%a-;+i5ial *tate#ent* fo+n ina#i**i$le. T8e offen*e aain*t Banti+e <a* *i#ple M+%e%. In*ofa% a* t8e Pa%%i5ie 5a*e i* 5on5e%ne aain*ta55+*e a%a, t8e lo<e% 5o+%t i not e%% in finin +ilt a* 8a)in $een e*ta$li*8e $e9on %ea*ona$le o+$t.5%ala<

4HEREFORE, t8e ;+#ent of t8e lo<e% 5o+%t i* #oifie a* follo<*3

In C%i#. Ca*e No. =!6>, t8e a55+*e Be%naa* an 0e%a%a a%e a5?+itte of t8e 5%i#e of Ro$$e%9 <it8 Ho#i5ie on t8e %o+n of %ea*ona$le o+$t. A55+*ea%a i* 5on)i5te of t8e 5%i#e of M+%e% an i* *enten5e to *+ffe% t8e penalt9 of eat8

In C%i#. Ca*e No. =!6!, t8e a55+*e Be%naa* an 0e%a%a a%e li7e<i*e a5?+itte of t8e 5%i#e of Ho#i5ie on t8e %o+n of %ea*ona$le o+$t. A55+*e a%a i*5on)i5te of t8e 5%i#e of Pa%%i5ie an i* *enten5e to *+ffe% t8e penalt9 of eat8.

Con*ie%in, 8o<e)e%, t8at t8e a55+*e a%a i* no< o)e% "& 9ea%* of ae, t8e penalt9 of eat8 i* lo<e%e to %e5l+*ion pe%pet+a.

In $ot8 5a*e*, a55+*e a%a i* o%e%e to ine#nif9 t8e 8ei%* of t8e e5ea*e A#pa%o Banti+e an L+i*a a%a in t8e a#o+nt of T8i%t9 T8o+*an Pe*o*P&,&&&.&&, %e*pe5ti)el9.

SO OR/ERE/.

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