SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 121828. June 27, 2003]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. EDMAR AGILOS,
ODILON LAGLI!A " A!REGON #n$ RENE GA"OT
PILOLA, accused, RENE GA"OT PILOLA, appellant.
D E % I S I O N
%ALLEJO, SR., J.&
Before us is the appeal of appellant Rene Gayot Pilola for the
reversal of the Decision
[1
of the Re!ional "rial Court #R"C$ of Pasi! City%
Branch 1&'% convictin! hi( of (ur)er% sentencin! hi( to
suffer reclusion perpetua an) or)erin! hi( to in)e(nify the heirs of the
victi( *oselito Capa y Rullo)a in the a(ount of P+,%,,, for the latter-s
)eath.
T'e In$()*+en*
On *une /% 1001% E)(ar 2!uilos% O)ilon 3a!li4a y 24re!on an)
appellant Rene Gayot Pilola 5ere char!e) 5ith (ur)er in an Infor(ation
5hich rea)s6
That on or about the 5th day of February, 1988 in the Municipality of
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines, a place within the jurisdiction of this
Honorable ourt, the abo!e"na#ed accused, conspiring and confederating
together with one $onnie %ia#ante who is still at"large and no fi&ed address
and #utually helping and aiding with one another, ar#ed with double"bladed
'ni!es and a bolo and with intent to 'ill, treachery and ta'ing ad!antage of
superior strength, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously
attac', assault hac' and stab one (oselito apa y $ulloda, as a result of which
the latter sustained hac' and stab wounds on the different parts of his body,
which directly caused his death)
*+T$,$- T* .,/)
012
Of the three accuse)% O)ilon 3a!li4a 5as the first to 4e
arreste)
[7
an) trie)% an) su4se8uently convicte) of (ur)er.
['
"he
)ecision of the trial court 4eca(e final an) e9ecutory. 2ccuse) E)(ar
2!uilos re(ains at lar!e 5hile accuse) Ronnie Dia(ante reporte)ly
)ie) a (onth after the inci)ent. :ean5hile% herein appellant Rene
Gayot Pilola 5as arreste). ;e 5as arrai!ne) on :arch 0% 100'%
assiste) 4y counsel% an) plea)e) not !uilty to the char!e.
[+
"hereafter%
trial of the case ensue).
T'e E,($en)e o- *'e P.o/e)u*(on
[&
On <e4ruary +% 1011% at aroun) 1167, p.(.% Elisa Rolan 5as insi)e
their store at &17 Nueve )e Pe4rero Street% :an)aluyon! City% 5aitin!
for her hus4an) to arrive. *oselito Capa an) *ulian 2=ul% *r. 5ere
)rin>in! 4eer. E)(ar 2!uilos an) O)ilon 3a!li4a arrive) at the
store. *oselito an) *ulian invite) the( to ?oin their )rin>in! spree% an)
althou!h alrea)y ine4riate)% the t5o ne5co(ers o4li!e). In the course
of their )rin>in!% the conversation turne) into a heate)
ar!u(ent. E)(ar nettle) *ulian% an) the latter 5as peeve). 2n
altercation 4et5een the t5o ensue). Elisa pacifie) the prota!onists an)
a)vise) the( to !o ho(e as she 5as alrea)y !oin! to close up. E)(ar
an) O)ilon left the store. *oselito an) *ulian 5ere also a4out to leave%
5hen E)(ar an) O)ilon returne)% 4loc>in! their 5ay. E)(ar too> off
his eye!lasses an) punche) *ulian in the face. Elisa shoute)6 @Tama
na. Tama na.A E)(ar an) *ulian i!nore) her an) tra)e) fist 4lo5s until
they reache) 2lin! Sotera-s store at the en) of the street% a4out t5elve
to fifteen (eters a5ay fro( Elisa-s store. <or his part% O)ilon positione)
hi(self on top of a pile of hollo5 4loc>s an) 5atche) as E)(ar an)
*ulian s5appe) punches. *oselito trie) to placate the prota!onists to no
avail. *oselito-s intervention apparently )i) not sit 5ell 5ith O)ilon. ;e
pulle) out his >nife 5ith his ri!ht han) an) steppe) )o5n fro( his
perch. ;e place) his left ar( aroun) *oselito-s nec>% an) sta44e) the
latter. Ronnie an) the appellant% 5ho 5ere across the street% sa5 their
!an!(ate O)ilon sta44in! the victi( an) )eci)e) to ?oin the fray. "hey
pulle) out their >nives% rushe) to the scene an) sta44e) *oselito. Elisa
coul) not tell ho5 (any ti(es the victi( 5as sta44e) or 5hat parts of
his 4o)y 5ere hit 4y 5ho(. "he victi( fell in the canal. O)ilon an) the
appellant fle)% 5hile Ronnie 5ent after *ulian an) trie) to sta4
hi(. *ulian ran for )ear life. Bhen he notice) that Ronnie 5as no
lon!er runnin! after hi(% *ulian stoppe) at E. Ro)ri!ue= Roa) an)
loo>e) 4ac>. ;e sa5 Ronnie pic> up a piece of hollo5 4loc> an) 5ith it
4ashe) *oselito-s hea). Not content% Ronnie !ot a piece of 4ro>en
4ottle an) struc> *oselito once (ore. Ronnie then fle) fro( the
scene. *oselito )ie) on the spot. Elisa rushe) to *oselito-s house an)
infor(e) his 5ife an) 4rother of the inci)ent.
[/
"he ne9t )ay% Dr. Bienveni)o :uCo=% Supervisin! :e)icoD3e!al
Officer of the National Bureau of Investi!ation% con)ucte) an autopsy on
the ca)aver of *oselito an) prepare) 2utopsy Report No. ND11D7/+%
[1
5ith the follo5in! fin)in!s6
P*3TM*$T4M F5+%5+63
Pallor, conjuncti!ae and integu#ent, #ar'ed and generali7ed)
ontused abrasions8 te#ple, right, 9): & 9): c#); #andibular region, right, 1): &
8): c#); bac', suprascapular region, left, 9): & <): c#); deltoid region, right, 1):
& 9): c#)
.acerated wound, scalp, occipital region, <): c#)
5ncised wounds8 forehead, right side, 5)5 c#); ar#, left, upper third, posterior
aspect, 1)5 c#)
3tab wounds8
1) 4lliptical, 1)8 c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut,
#edial e&tre#ity is sharp, lateral e&tre#ity is blunt; located at the anterior chest
wall, le!el of 9
rd
intercostal space, right, 5): c#) fro# anterior #edian line;
directed bac'ward, upward and #edially, non"penetrating, with an appro&i#ate
depth of 9): c#);
1) 4lliptical, 1)5 c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut, one
e&tre#ity is sharp and the other is blunt; located at the antero"lateral aspect of
chest, le!el of 9
rd
intercostal space, left, 9): c#) fro# anterior #edian line;
directed bac'ward, downward and #edially, into the left thoracic ca!ity,
penetrating the left !entricle of the heart with an appro&i#ate depth of 1:):
c#);
9) 4lliptical, 9): c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut, one
e&tre#ity is sharp and the other is blunt; located at the antero"lateral aspect of
chest, le!el of <
th
intercostal space, 11): c#) fro# anterior #edian line; directed
bac'ward, downward and #edially, penetrating upper lobe of left lung with an
appro&i#ate depth of 9): c#);
<) 4lliptical, 1): c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut, one
e&tre#ity is sharp and the other is blunt; located at the antero"lateral aspect of
chest, le!el of 5
th
intercostal space, left, 15): c#) fro# anterior #edian line;
directed bac'ward, downward and #edially, penetrating the left thoracic ca!ity
and then lower lobe of left lung and then penetrating the left !entricle of the
heart with an appro&i#ate depth of 11): c#);
5) 4lliptical, 1)9 c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut, one
e&tre#ity is sharp and the other is blunt; located at the lateral chest wall, le!el
of =
th
intercostal space, left, 1>): c#) fro# anterior #edian line; directed
bac'ward, upward and #edially, into the left thoracic ca!ity and then
penetrating the lower lobe of left lung with an appro&i#ately depth of 1:): c#);
>) 4lliptical, <): c#), oriented al#ost hori7ontally, edges are clean"cut, one
e&tre#ity is sharp and the other is blunt; located at the lu#bar region, left, 1<):
c#) fro# anterior #edian line; directed bac'ward, upward and #edially, into
the abdo#inal ca!ity and then penetrating ileu#;
=) 4lliptical, 1)5 c#), oriented al#ost !ertically, edges are clean"cut, upper
e&tre#ity is sharp, lower e&tre#ity is blunt; located at the chest, lateral, le!el of
9
th
intercostal space, left; 1<): c#) fro# posterior #edian line; directed
forward, upward and #edially, non"penetrating with an appro&i#ate depth of
<): c#);
8) 4lliptical, 1): c#), oriented al#ost !ertically, edges are clean"cut, upper
e&tre#ity is blunt, lower e&tre#ity is sharp; located at the abdo#en, postero"
lateral aspect, 15): c#) fro# posterior #edian line; directed forward, upward
and laterally, into the abdo#inal ca!ity and then perforating the spleen and
pancreas with an appro&i#ate depth of 19): c#);
9) 4lliptical, 5): c#), oriented al#ost !ertically, edges are clean"cut, upper
e&tre#ity is blunt, lower e&tre#ity is sharp; located at the left ar#, upper third,
anterior; directed bac'ward, downward and #edially, in!ol!ing s'in and
underlying soft tissues with an appro&i#ate depth of >): c#);
1:) 4lliptical, 1)9 c#), oriented al#ost !ertically, edges are clean"cut, upper
e&tre#ity is sharp, lower e&tre#ity is blunt; located at the left forear#, upper
third, anterior; directed bac'ward, upward and #edially and co##unicating
with another wound, ar#, left, #edial aspect, 1): c#);
11) 4lliptical, 1): c#), oriented al#ost !ertically, edges are clean"cut, upper
e&tre#ity blunt, lower e&tre#ity, sharp; located at the left ar#, lower third,
posterior aspect, directed forward, downward and #edially, co##unicating
with another wound, ar#, left, lower third, posterior aspect, 1)5 c#)
He#othora&, left ? 9:: c)c)
He#opericardiu# ? 9:: c)c)
He#operitoneu# ? =5: c)c)
@rain and other !isceral organs, pale)
3to#ach"filled with rice and other food particles)
,A34 *F %4,TH8 Multiple stab wounds)
T'e E,($en)e o- *'e A00e11#n*
"he appellant )enie) sta44in! the victi( an) interpose) the )efense
of ali4i. ;e testifie) that at aroun) 116,, p.(. of <e4ruary +% 1011% he
5as in the house of his cousin% *ulian Ca)ion% at &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero
Street% :an)aluyon! City. ;e su))enly hear) a co((otion co(in!
fro( outsi)e. *ulian rushe) out of the house to fin) out 5hat 5as !oin!
on. "he appellant re(aine) insi)e the house 4ecause he 5as sufferin!
fro( ulcer an) 5as e9periencin! e9cessive pain in his sto(ach. "he
follo5in! (ornin!% the appellant learne) fro( their nei!h4or% Elisa
Rolan% that *oselito ha) 4een sta44e) to )eath. "he appellant )i) not
4other to as> 5ho 5as responsi4le for the sta44in!.
[0
*ulian alias @Bu4oyA Ca)ion corro4orate) the appellant-s
testi(ony. ;e testifie) that the appellant 5as in their house on the ni!ht
of <e4ruary +% 1011% an) 5as sufferin! fro( ulcer. "he appellant staye)
ho(e on the ni!ht of the inci)ent.
[1,
2!ripina Gloria% a fe(ale security !uar) resi)in! at Bloc> 7,% Nueve
)e Pe4rero% &1E% Int. '% 2llison St.% :an)aluyon! City% testifie) that on
<e4ruary +% 1011 at aroun) 116,, p.(.% she hear) a co((otion
outsi)e. :o(entarily% she sa5 Ronnie rush into the >itchen of the
house of her niece "eresitaF he too> a >nife an) run to5ar)s Nueve )e
Pe4rero Street 5here E)(ar an) *ulian 5ere fi!htin!. She then
follo5e) Ronnie an) sa5 *oselito tryin! to pacify the
prota!onists. Ronnie !ra44e) *oselito an) instantly sta44e) the latter%
5ho for a 5hile retreate) an) fell )o5n the canal. Not content% Ronnie
repeate)ly sta44e) *oselito. "hereafter% Ronnie ran to5ar)s the
)irection of the (ental hospital. 2!ripina )i) not see O)ilon or the
appellant any5here 5ithin the vicinity of the inci)ent.
[11
On :ay 7% 100+% the trial court ren)ere) its assaile) )ecision% the
)ispositive portion of 5hich rea)s% to 5it6
/H4$4F*$4, this ourt finds $4+4 6,-*T P5.*., of >:> +ue!e de
Febrero 3treet, Mandaluyong ity, 6A5.T- beyond reasonable doubt of
Murder punished under ,rticle 1<8 of the $e!ised Penal ode, and there being
no #itigating nor aggra!ating circu#stances, he is hereby sentenced
to reclusion perpetua) Pilola is hereby ordered to inde#nify the heirs of
deceased (oselito apa alias (essie in the a#ount of F5FT- TH*A3,+%
P43*3 BP5:,:::)::C as inde#nity for his death jointly and solidarily with
*dilon .agliba who was earlier con!icted herein) /ith cost against the
accused)
0112
In the case at 4ar% the appellant assails the )ecision of the trial court
conten)in! that6
I
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II
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III
TH4 T$5,. *A$T M,+5F43T.- 4$$4% 5+ *+D5T5+6 ,A34%"
,PP4..,+T *F TH4 $5M4 H,$64% %43P5T4 TH4 F,T TH,T H53
6A5.T /,3 +*T P$*D4% @4-*+% $4,3*+,@.4 %*A@T)
0192
"he appellant avers that Elisa is not a cre)i4le 5itness an) her
testi(ony is 4arren of pro4ative 5ei!ht. "his is so 4ecause she
contra)icte) herself 5hen she testifie) on )irect e9a(ination that
Ronnie struc> the hea) of the victi( 5ith a hollo5 4loc>. ;o5ever% on
crossDe9a(ination% she state) that it 5as E)(ar 5ho struc> the
victi(. "he inconsistency in Elisa-s testi(ony i(paire) her cre)i4ility.
"he contention of the appellant )oes not hol) 5ater.
<irst. "he i)entity of the person 5ho hit the victi( 5ith a hollo5
4loc> is of de minimis i(portance. "he victi( )ie) 4ecause of (ultiple
5oun)s. "he appellant is char!e) 5ith (ur)er for the >illin! of the
victi( 5ith a >nife% in conspiracy 5ith the other accuse).
Secon). "he perceive) inconsistency in Elisa-s account of events is
a (inor an) collateral )etail that )oes not affect the su4stance of her
testi(ony% as it even serves to stren!then rather than )estroy her
cre)i4ility.
[1'
"hir). Elisa has 4een consistent in her testi(ony that the appellant
5as one of the (en 5ho sta44e) the victi(% the others 4ein! Ronnie
an) O)ilon. Elisa-s testi(ony is corro4orate) 4y the autopsy report of
Dr. Bienveni)o :uCo= an) his testi(ony that the victi( sustaine)
eleven sta4 5oun)s. "he )octor testifie) that there 5ere t5o or (ore
assailants6
G Coul) you tell the court 5hat instru(ent coul) have 4een use) 4y the
perpetrator in inflictin! those t5o incise 5oun)sH
2 "hose incise 5oun)s 5ere cause) 4y a sharp instru(ent li>e a >nife or any
si(ilar instru(ent.
I
G No5 you also foun) out fro( the 4o)y of the victi( eleven sta4 5oun)sH
2 Jes% sir.
G No5% tell the court in 5hich part of the 4o)y of the victi( 5here these
eleven sta4 5oun)s [are locate)H
2 Shall I !o one 4y one% all the eleven sta4 5oun)sH
G 2ll the eleven sta4 5oun)sH
2 One sta4 5oun) 5as locate) at the front portion of the chest% ri!ht
si)e. 2nother sta4 5oun) 5as locate) also on the chest left si)e% another
sta4 5oun) 5as locate) at the antero lateral aspect% it-s the front of the
chest al(ost to the si)e. 2n) also another one% also at the chest% another
sta4 5oun) 5as at the left si)e of the chest an) another one 5as at the
lu(4ar re!ion of the a4)o(en left si)e or 5here the left >i)ney is locate)%
lu(4ar area. 2nother one at the si)e of the chest% left si)e of the
chest. 2nother sta4 5oun) in the a4)o(en% another sta4 5oun) at the left
ar(. 2nother one at the left forear( an) the last one in the autopsy report
is locate) at the left ar(. "hese are all the eleven sta4 5oun)s sustaine)
4y the victi(.
I
2 "he instru(ent use) 5as a sharp pointe) e)!e or a sin!le 4la)e)
instru(ent li>e a >nife% >itchen >nife% 4alison! or any si(ilar instru(ent.
G Consi)erin! the nu(4er of sta4 5oun)s% )octor% 5ill you tell us 5hether
there 5ere several assailantsH
2 In (y opinion% there 5ere (ore than one assailants #sic$ here 4ecause of
the presence of )ifferent types of sta4 5oun)s an) lacerate) 5oun)s. "his
lacerate) 5oun) coul) not have 4een inflicte) 4y the one hol)in! the one
5hich inflicte) the instru(ent . . #)iscontinue)$ 5hich inflicte) the sta4
5oun)s.
G So there coul) have 4een t5o or three assailantsH
2 :ore than one.
[1+
"he physical evi)ence is a (ute 4ut elo8uent (anifestation of the
veracity of Elisa-s testi(ony.
[1&
<ourth. Even the appellant hi(self )eclare) on the 5itness stan)
that he coul) not thin> of any reason 5hy Elisa pointe) to hi( as one of
the assailants. In a litany of cases% 5e have rule) that 5hen there is no
sho5in! of any i(proper (otive on the part of a 5itness to testify falsely
a!ainst the accuse) or to falsely i(plicate the latter in the co((ission
of the cri(e% as in the case at 4ar% the lo!ical conclusion is that no such
i(proper (otive e9ists% an) that the testi(ony is 5orthy of full faith an)
cre)ence.
[1/
<ifth. "he trial court !ave cre)ence an) full pro4ative 5ei!ht to
Elisa-s testi(ony. Case la5 has it that the trial court-s cali4ration of the
testi(onial evi)ence of the parties% its assess(ent of the cre)i4ility of
5itnesses an) the pro4ative 5ei!ht thereof is !iven hi!h respect% if not
conclusive effect% 4y the appellate court.
"he appellant ar!ues that the prosecution faile) to prove that he
conspire) 5ith Ronnie an) O)ilon in sta44in! the victi( to )eath. ;e
conten)s that for one to 4e a conspirator% his participation in the cri(inal
resolution of another (ust either prece)e or 4e concurrent 5ith the
cri(inal acts. ;e asserts that even if it 5ere true that he 5as present at
the situs criminis an) that he sta44e) the victi(% it 5as O)ilon 5ho ha)
alrea)y )eci)e)% an) in fact fatally sta44e) the victi(. ;e coul) not
have conspire) 5ith O)ilon as the inci)ent 5as only a chance encounter
4et5een the victi(% the appellant an) his coDaccuse). In the a4sence of
a conspiracy% the appellant cannot 4e hel) lia4le as a principal 4y )irect
participation. Elisa coul) not cate!orically an) positively assert as to
5hat part of the victi(-s 4o)y 5as hit 4y 5ho(% an) ho5 (any ti(es the
victi( 5as sta44e) 4y the appellant. ;e asserts that he is (erely an
acco(plice an) not a principal 4y )irect participation.
Be are not persua)e) 4y the ru(inations of the appellant.
"here is conspiracy 5hen t5o or (ore persons a!ree to co((it a
felony an) )eci)e to co((it it.
[11
Conspiracy as a (o)e of incurrin!
cri(inal lia4ility (ust 4e prove) separately fro( an) 5ith the sa(e
8uantu( of proof as the cri(e itself. Conspiracy nee) not 4e proven 4y
)irect evi)ence. 2fter all% secrecy an) conceal(ent are essential
features of a successful conspiracy. It (ay 4e inferre) fro( the con)uct
of the accuse) 4efore% )urin! an) after the co((ission of the cri(e%
sho5in! that they ha) acte) 5ith a co((on purpose an) )esi!n.
[10
Conspiracy (ay 4e i(plie) if it is prove) that t5o or (ore persons
ai(e) 4y their acts to5ar)s the acco(plish(ent of the sa(e unla5ful
o4?ect% each )oin! a part so that their co(4ine) acts% thou!h apparently
in)epen)ent of each other% 5ere% in fact% connecte) an) cooperative%
in)icatin! a closeness of personal association an) a concurrence of
senti(ent.
[E,
There may be conspiracy even if an offender does not
know the identities of the other offenders%
[E1
and even though he is not
aware of all the details of the plan of operation or was not in on the
scheme from the beginning.
[EE
One need only to knowingly contribute his
efforts in furtherance of it.
[E7
One 5ho ?oins a cri(inal conspiracy in effect
a)opts as his o5n the cri(inal )esi!ns of his coDconspirators. If
conspiracy is esta4lishe)% all the conspirators are lia4le as coDprincipals
re!ar)less of the (anner an) e9tent of their participation since in
conte(plation of la5% the act of one 5oul) 4e the act of all.
[E'
Each of the
conspirators is the a!ent of all the others.
[E+
"o hol) an accuse) !uilty as a coDprincipal 4y reason of conspiracy%
he (ust 4e sho5n to have perfor(e) an overt act in pursuance or
furtherance of the conspiracy.
[E&
"he (ere presence of an accuse) at
the situs of the cri(e 5ill not sufficeF (ere >no5le)!e% ac8uiescence or
approval of the act 5ithout cooperation or a!ree(ent to cooperate on
the part of the accuse) is not enou!h to (a>e hi( a party to a
conspiracy. "here (ust 4e intentional participation in the transaction
5ith a vie5 to the furtherance of the co((on )esi!n an) purpose.
[E/
Conspiracy to e9ist )oes not re8uire an a!ree(ent for an apprecia4le
perio) prior to the occurrence. <ro( the le!al stan)point% conspiracy
e9ists if% at the ti(e of the co((ission of the offense% the accuse) ha)
the same purpose an) 5ere united in its e9ecution.
[E1
2s a rule% the
concurrence of 5ills% 5hich is the essence of conspiracy% (ay 4e
)e)uce) fro( the evi)ence of facts an) circu(stances% 5hich ta>en
to!ether% in)icate that the parties cooperate) an) la4ore) to the sa(e
en).
[E0
Even if t5o or (ore offen)ers )o not conspire to co((it ho(ici)e or
(ur)er% they (ay 4e hel) cri(inally lia4le as principals 4y )irect
participation if they perfor( overt acts 5hich (e)iately or i((e)iately
cause or accelerate the )eath of the victi(% applyin! 2rticle '%
para!raph 1 of the Revise) Penal Co)e6
,rt) <) Criminal liability. ? ri#inal liability shall be incurred8
1) @y any person co##itting a felony BdelitoC although the wrongful act
done be different fro# that which he intended)
In such a case% it is not necessary that each of the separate in?uries
is fatal in itself. It is sufficient if the in?uries cooperate) in 4rin!in! a4out
the victi(-s )eath. Both the offen)ers are cri(inally lia4le for the sa(e
cri(e 4y reason of their in)ivi)ual an) separate overt cri(inal acts.
[7,
24sent conspiracy 4et5een t5o or (ore offen)ers% they (ay 4e !uilty
of ho(ici)e or (ur)er for the )eath of the victi(% one as a principal 4y
)irect participation% an) the other as an acco(plice% un)er 2rticle 11 of
the Revise) Penal Co)e6
,rt) 18) Accomplices. ? ,cco#plices are the persons who, not being included
in ,rticle 1=, cooperate in the e&ecution of the offense by pre!ious or
si#ultaneous acts)
"o hol) a person lia4le as an acco(plice% t5o ele(ents (ust
concur6 #a$ the co((unity of cri(inal )esi!nF that is% >no5in! the
cri(inal )esi!n of the principal 4y )irect participation% he concurs 5ith
the latter in his purposeF #4$ the perfor(ance of previous or
si(ultaneous acts that are not in)ispensa4le to the co((ission of the
cri(e.
[71
2cco(plices co(e to >no5 a4out the cri(inal resolution of the
principal 4y )irect participation after the principal has reache) the
)ecision to co((it the felony an) only then )oes the acco(plice a!ree
to cooperate in its e9ecution. 2cco(plices )o not )eci)e 5hether the
cri(e shoul) 4e co((itte)F they (erely assent to the plan of the
principal 4y )irect participation an) cooperate in its acco(plish(ent.
[7E
;o5ever% 5here one cooperates in the co((ission of the cri(e 4y
perfor(in! overt acts 5hich 4y the(selves are acts of e9ecution% he is a
principal 4y )irect participation% an) not (erely an acco(plice.
[77
In this case% O)ilon all 4y hi(self initially )eci)e) to sta4 the
victi(. "he appellant an) Ronnie 5ere on the si)e of the
street. ;o5ever% 5hile O)ilon 5as sta44in! the victi(% the appellant
an) Ronnie a!ree) to ?oin inF they rushe) to the scene an) also sta44e)
the victi( 5ith their respective >nives. "he three (en si(ultaneously
sta44e) the hapless victi(. O)ilon an) the appellant fle) fro( the
scene to!ether% 5hile Ronnie 5ent after *ulian. Bhen he faile) to
overta>e an) collar *ulian% Ronnie returne) to 5here *oselito fell an) hit
hi( 5ith a hollo5 4loc> an) a 4ro>en 4ottle. Ronnie then hurrie)ly
left. 2ll the overt acts of O)ilon% Ronnie an) the appellant 4efore%
)urin!% an) after the sta44in! inci)ent in)u4ita4ly sho5 that they
conspire) to >ill the victi(.
"he victi( )ie) 4ecause of (ultiple sta4 5oun)s inflicte) 4y t5o or
(ore persons. "here is no evi)ence that 4efore the arrival of Ronnie
an) the appellant at the situs criminis% the victi( 5as alrea)y )ea). It
cannot thus 4e ar!ue) that 4y the ti(e the appellant an) Ronnie ?oine)
O)ilon in sta44in! the victi(% the cri(e 5as alrea)y consu((ate).
2ll thin!s consi)ere)% 5e rule that Ronnie an) the appellant
conspire) 5ith O)ilon to >ill the victi(F hence% all of the( are cri(inally
lia4le for the latter-s )eath. "he appellant is not (erely an acco(plice
4ut is a principal 4y )irect participation.
Even assu(in! that the appellant )i) not conspire 5ith Ronnie an)
O)ilon to >ill the victi(% the appellant is nevertheless cri(inally lia4le as
a principal 4y )irect participation. "he sta4 5oun)s inflicte) 4y hi(
cooperate) in 4rin!in! a4out an) accelerate) the )eath of the victi( or
contri4ute) (aterially thereto.
[7'
"he trial court correctly overrule) the appellant-s )efense of
ali4i. 2li4i is a 5ea>% if not the 5ea>est of )efenses in a cri(inal
prosecution% 4ecause it is easy to concoct 4ut har) to )isprove. "o serve
as 4asis for ac8uittal% it (ust 4e esta4lishe) 4y clear an) convincin!
evi)ence. <or it to prosper% the accuse) (ust prove not only that he
5as a4sent fro( the scene of the cri(e at the ti(e of its co((ission%
4ut also that it 5as physically i(possi4le for hi( to have 4een present
then.
[7+
In this case% the appellant avers that at the ti(e of the sta44in!
inci)ent% he 5as restin! in the house of his cousin at &,& Nueve )e
Pe4rero Street as he 5as sufferin! fro( sto(ach pain )ue to his ulcer.
[7&
But the appellant faile) to a))uce any (e)ical certificate that he 5as
sufferin! fro( the ail(ent. :oreover% Elisa positively i)entifie) the
appellant as one of the (en 5ho repeate)ly sta44e) the victi(. "he
appellant-s )efense of ali4i cannot prevail over the positive an)
strai!htfor5ar) i)entification of the appellant as one of the victi(-s
assailants. "he appellant hi(self a)(itte) that his cousin-s house% the
place 5here he 5as alle!e)ly restin! 5hen the victi( 5as sta44e)% 5as
(erely ten to fifteen (eters a5ay fro( the scene of the
sta44in!. In)ee)% the appellant-s )efense of )enial an) ali4i%
unsu4stantiate) 4y clear an) convincin! evi)ence% are ne!ative an)
selfDservin! an) cannot 4e !iven !reater evi)entiary 5ei!ht than the
positive testi(ony of prosecution eye5itness Elisa Rolan.
[7/
"he appellant-s )efenses (ust cru(4le in the face of evi)ence that
he fle) fro( the situs criminis an) later left his house. "he recor)s
sho5 that )espite 4ein! infor(e) that he 5as sou!ht after 4y the
authorities as a suspect for the >illin! of the victi(% the appellant
su))enly an) inscruta4ly )isappeare) fro( his resi)ence at Nueve )e
Pe4rero. 2s early as :ay +% 1011% a su4poena for the appellant 5as
returne) unserve) 4ecause he 5as @out of to5n.A
[71
"he appellant-s o5n
5itness% *ulian Ca)ion% testifie) that the appellant ha) left an) 5as no
lon!er seen at Nueve )e Pe4rero after the inci)ent% thus6
G So% ho5 lon! )i) you stay at &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero after <e4ruary +%
1011H
2 One 5ee> only% sir% an) then three 5ee>s after% I returne) to Nueve )e
Pe4rero.
G "he 5hole 5ee> after <e4ruary +% 1011% 5as Rene Pilola still livin! at &,&
Nueve )e Pe4reroH
2 I )i) not see hi( any(ore% sir.
G 2n) then three 5ee>s thereafter% you 5ent 4ac> to Nueve )e Pe4rero. Is
that 5hat you 5ere then sayin!H
2 Jes% sir.
G No5% at the ti(e that you 5ent 4ac> to &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero% 5as Rene
Pilola thereH
2 I )i) not see hi( any(ore% sir.
[70
"he recor)s sho5 that the appellant >ne5 that he 5as char!e) for
the sta44in! of the victi(. ;o5ever% instea) of surren)erin! to the
police authorities% he a)roitly eva)e) arrest. "he appellant-s fli!ht is
evi)ence of !uilt an)% fro( the factual circu(stances o4tainin! in the
case at 4ar% no reason can 4e )e)uce) fro( it other than that he 5as
)riven 4y a stron! sense of !uilt an) a)(ission that he ha) no tena4le
)efense.
[',
T'e %.(+e %o++(**e$ 23 *'e A00e11#n*
#n$ *'e P.o0e. Pen#1*3 T'e.e-o.
"he trial court correctly convicte) the appellant of (ur)er 8ualifie)
4y treachery. 24use of superior stren!th li>e5ise atten)e) the
co((ission of the cri(e. "here is treachery 5hen the offen)er co((its
any of the cri(es a!ainst persons% e(ployin! (eans% (etho)s or for(s
in the e9ecution thereof 5hich ten) )irectly an) specially to insure its
e9ecution% 5ithout ris> to hi(self arisin! fro( the )efense 5hich the
offen)e) party (i!ht (a>e. "he essence of treachery is the s5ift an)
une9pecte) attac> on the unar(e) victi( 5ithout the sli!htest
provocation on his part.
['1
In this case% the attac> on the unar(e) victi(
5as su))en. O)ilon% 5ithout provocation% su))enly place) his ar(
aroun) the victi(-s nec> an) forth5ith sta44e) the latter. "he victi( ha)
no in>lin! that he 5oul) 4e attac>e) as he 5as atte(ptin! to pacify
E)(ar an) *ulian. Ronnie an) the appellant% 4oth also ar(e) 5ith
)ea)ly 5eapons% rushe) to the scene an) sta44e) the victi(% !ivin! no
real opportunity for the latter to )efen) hi(self. 2n) even as the victi(
5as alrea)y spra5le) on the canal% Ronnie 4ashe) his hea) 5ith a
hollo5 4loc>. "he peace(a>er 4eca(e the victi( of violence.
Kn8uestiona4ly% the nature an) location of the 5oun)s sho5e) that
the >illin! 5as e9ecute) in a treacherous (anner% preventin! any
(eans of )efense on the part of the victi(. 2s testifie) to 4y Dr.
Bienveni)o :uCo=% the victi( 5as sta44e)% not ?ust once% 4ut eleven
ti(es (ostly on the chest an) the a4)o(inal area. Si9 of the sta4
5oun)s 5ere fatal% causin! )a(a!e to the victi(-s vital internal or!ans.
['E
"he a!!ravatin! circu(stance of a4use of superior stren!th is
a4sor4e) 4y treachery.
['7
"here is no (iti!atin! circu(stance that
atten)e) the co((ission of the felony. "he penalty for (ur)er un)er
2rticle E'1 of the Revise) Penal Co)e is reclusion perpetua to
)eath. Since no a!!ravatin! an) (iti!atin! circu(stances atten)e) the
co((ission of the cri(e% the proper penalty is reclusion perpetua%
confor(a4ly to 2rticle &7 of the Revise) Penal Co)e.
%(,(1 L(#2(1(*(e/ o- *'e A00e11#n*
"he trial court correctly )irecte) the appellant to pay to the heirs of
the victi( *oselita Capa the a(ount of P+,%,,, as civil in)e(nity ex
delicto% in accor) 5ith current ?urispru)ence.
[''
"he sai) heirs are
li>e5ise entitle) to (oral )a(a!es in the a(ount of P+,%,,,% also
confor(a4ly to current ?urispru)ence.
['+
In a))ition% the heirs are entitle)
to e9e(plary )a(a!es in the a(ount ofPE+%,,,.
['&
4HEREFORE% the Decision% )ate) :ay 7% 100+% of Branch 1&' of
the Re!ional "rial Court of Pasi! City in Cri(inal Case No. /7&1+%
fin)in! appellant Rene Gayot Pilola GKI3"J 4eyon) reasona4le )ou4t
of the cri(e of (ur)er is 2<<IR:ED BI"; :ODI<IC2"ION. "he
appellant is here4y )irecte) to pay to the heirs of the victi( *oselito
Capa the a(ount of P+,%,,, as civil in)e(nityF the a(ount of P+,%,,,
as (oral )a(a!esF an) the a(ount of PE+%,,, as e9e(plary )a(a!es.
SO ORDERED.