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[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$()*+en*
On *une /% 1001% E)(ar 2!uilos% O)ilon 3a!li4a y 24re!on an) appellant Rene
Gayot Pilola 5ere char!e) 5ith (ur)er in an Infor(ation 5hich rea)s6
"hat on or a4out the +th )ay of 7e4ruary% 1011 in the 8unicipality of 8an)aluyon!%
8etro 8anila% Philippines% a place 5ithin the 9uris)iction of this :onora4le Court% the
a4ove;na(e) accuse)% conspirin! an) confe)eratin! to!ether 5ith one Ronnie
Dia(ante 5ho is still at;lar!e an) no fi<e) a))ress an) (utually helpin! an) ai)in!
5ith one another% ar(e) 5ith )ou4le;4la)e) =nives an) a 4olo an) 5ith intent to =ill%
treachery an) ta=in! a)vanta!e of superior stren!th% )i) then an) there 5illfully%
unla5fully an) feloniously attac=% assault hac= an) sta4 one *oselito Capa y Rullo)a%
as a result of 5hich the latter sustaine) hac= an) sta4 5oun)s on the )ifferent parts of
his 4o)y% 5hich )irectly cause) his )eath.
CON"R2R> "O 32?.
@[@
Of the three accuse)% O)ilon 3a!li4a 5as the first to 4e arreste)
A[A
an) trie)% an)
su4seBuently convicte) of (ur)er.
'['
"he )ecision of the trial court 4eca(e final an)
1 [1
Penne) 4y *u)!e 3i4ra)o S. Correa.
@ [@
Recor)s% p. 1.
A [A
Id. at /.
' ['
Decision )ate) 8arch 10% 100, of the R"C of Pasi! City% Branch 1&'% in Cri(inal Case No.
e<ecutory. 2ccuse) E)(ar 2!uilos re(ains at lar!e 5hile accuse) Ronnie Dia(ante
reporte)ly )ie) a (onth after the inci)ent. 8ean5hile% herein appellant Rene Gayot
Pilola 5as arreste). :e 5as arrai!ne) on 8arch 0% 100'% assiste) 4y counsel% an)
plea)e) not !uilty to the char!e.
+[+
"hereafter% trial of the case ensue).
T'e E,($en)e o- *'e P.o/e)u*(on
&[&
On 7e4ruary +% 1011% at aroun) 116A, p.(.% Elisa Rolan 5as insi)e their store at
&1A Nueve )e Pe4rero Street% 8an)aluyon! City% 5aitin! for her hus4an) to arrive.
*oselito Capa an) *ulian 2Cul% *r. 5ere )rin=in! 4eer. E)(ar 2!uilos an) O)ilon
3a!li4a arrive) at the store. *oselito an) *ulian invite) the( to 9oin 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 DTama na. Tama na.E 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. 7or 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 9oin 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. ?hen he notice) that Ronnie 5as no lon!er runnin! after
hi(% *ulian stoppe) at E. Ro)ri!ueC 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)
/A&1+% convictin! accuse) O)ilon 3a!li4a y 24ri!on)o% to 5it6
D2CCORDING3>% the Court fin)s the accuse) O)ilon 3a!li4a y 24ri!on)o GFI3"> 4eyon) reasona4le
)ou4t of the cri(inal offense of 8ur)er in the slayin! of *essie Capa as char!e) in the
infor(ation file) in Cri(inal Case No. /A&1+G an) therefore% here4y i(poses upon hi( the
penalty of life i(prison(entG an) to in)e(nify the heirs of *essie Capa in the a(ount of
PA,%,,,.,,G as 5ell as to pay the costs.E #Recor)s% pp. 1A;1,,.$
+ [+
Recor)s% pp. 1,+;1,&.
& [&
"he prosecution presente) the follo5in! 5itnesses6 Elisa Rolan% Dr. Bienveni)o 8uHoC% *ulian
2Cul% *r.% 3y)ia Cla(uha.
4rother of the inci)ent.
/[/
"he ne<t )ay% Dr. Bienveni)o 8uHoC% Supervisin! 8e)ico;3e!al Officer of the
National Bureau of Investi!ation% con)ucte) an autopsy on the ca)aver of *oselito an)
prepare) 2utopsy Report No. N;11;A/+%
1[1
5ith the follo5in! fin)in!s6
POS"8OR"E8 7INDINGS
Pallor% con9unctivae an) inte!u(ent% (ar=e) an) !eneraliCe).
Contuse) a4rasions6 te(ple% ri!ht% A., < A., c(.G (an)i4ular re!ion% ri!ht% @., <
1., c(.G 4ac=% suprascapular re!ion% left% A., < '., c(.G )eltoi) re!ion% ri!ht% 1., < A.,
c(.
3acerate) 5oun)% scalp% occipital re!ion% '., c(.
Incise) 5oun)s6 forehea)% ri!ht si)e% +.+ c(.G ar(% left% upper thir)% posterior
aspect% 1.+ c(.
Sta4 5oun)s6
1. Elliptical% 1.1 c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% (e)ial
e<tre(ity is sharp% lateral e<tre(ity is 4luntG locate) at the anterior chest 5all% level of
A
r)
intercostal space% ri!ht% +., c(. fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)%
up5ar) an) (e)ially% non;penetratin!% 5ith an appro<i(ate )epth of A., c(.G
@. Elliptical% 1.+ c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% one
e<tre(ity is sharp an) the other is 4luntG locate) at the antero;lateral aspect of chest%
level of A
r)
intercostal space% left% A., c(. fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)%
)o5n5ar) an) (e)ially% into the left thoracic cavity% penetratin! the left ventricle of the
heart 5ith an appro<i(ate )epth of 1,., c(.G
A. Elliptical% A., c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% one
e<tre(ity is sharp an) the other is 4luntG locate) at the antero;lateral aspect of chest%
level of '
th
intercostal space% 1@., c(. fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)%
)o5n5ar) an) (e)ially% penetratin! upper lo4e of left lun! 5ith an appro<i(ate )epth
of 0., c(.G
'. Elliptical% @., c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% one
e<tre(ity is sharp an) the other is 4luntG locate) at the antero;lateral aspect of chest%
level of +
th
intercostal space% left% 1+., c(. fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte)
4ac=5ar)% )o5n5ar) an) (e)ially% penetratin! the left thoracic cavity an) then lo5er
lo4e of left lun! an) then penetratin! the left ventricle of the heart 5ith an appro<i(ate
)epth of 11., c(.G
+. Elliptical% 1.A c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% one
e<tre(ity is sharp an) the other is 4luntG locate) at the lateral chest 5all% level of /
th
intercostal space% left% 1&., c(. fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)% up5ar)
an) (e)ially% into the left thoracic cavity an) then penetratin! the lo5er lo4e of left lun!
5ith an appro<i(ately )epth of 1,., c(.G
&. Elliptical% '., c(.% oriente) al(ost horiContally% e)!es are clean;cut% one
e<tre(ity is sharp an) the other is 4luntG locate) at the lu(4ar re!ion% left% 1'., c(.
/ [/
"SN% 0 2u!ust 100'.
1 [1
E<hi4its DBE I DB;1EG Recor)s% pp. '@;'A.
fro( anterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)% up5ar) an) (e)ially% into the a4)o(inal
cavity an) then penetratin! ileu(G
/. Elliptical% 1.+ c(.% oriente) al(ost vertically% e)!es are clean;cut% upper
e<tre(ity is sharp% lo5er e<tre(ity is 4luntG locate) at the chest% lateral% level of 0
th
intercostal space% leftG 1'., c(. fro( posterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) for5ar)% up5ar)
an) (e)ially% non;penetratin! 5ith an appro<i(ate )epth of '., c(.G
1. Elliptical% @., c(.% oriente) al(ost vertically% e)!es are clean;cut% upper
e<tre(ity is 4lunt% lo5er e<tre(ity is sharpG locate) at the a4)o(en% postero;lateral
aspect% 1+., c(. fro( posterior (e)ian lineG )irecte) for5ar)% up5ar) an) laterally% into
the a4)o(inal cavity an) then perforatin! the spleen an) pancreas 5ith an
appro<i(ate )epth of 1A., c(.G
0. Elliptical% +., c(.% oriente) al(ost vertically% e)!es are clean;cut% upper
e<tre(ity is 4lunt% lo5er e<tre(ity is sharpG locate) at the left ar(% upper thir)% anteriorG
)irecte) 4ac=5ar)% )o5n5ar) an) (e)ially% involvin! s=in an) un)erlyin! soft tissues
5ith an appro<i(ate )epth of &., c(.G
1,. Elliptical% @.A c(.% oriente) al(ost vertically% e)!es are clean;cut% upper
e<tre(ity is sharp% lo5er e<tre(ity is 4luntG locate) at the left forear(% upper thir)%
anteriorG )irecte) 4ac=5ar)% up5ar) an) (e)ially an) co((unicatin! 5ith another
5oun)% ar(% left% (e)ial aspect% @., c(.G
11. Elliptical% @., c(.% oriente) al(ost vertically% e)!es are clean;cut% upper
e<tre(ity 4lunt% lo5er e<tre(ity% sharpG locate) at the left ar(% lo5er thir)% posterior
aspect% )irecte) for5ar)% )o5n5ar) an) (e)ially% co((unicatin! 5ith another 5oun)%
ar(% left% lo5er thir)% posterior aspect% 1.+ c(.
:e(othora<% left J 0,, c.c.
:e(opericar)iu( J A,, c.c.
:e(operitoneu( J /+, c.c.
Brain an) other visceral or!ans% pale.
Sto(ach;fille) 5ith rice an) other foo) particles.
C2FSE O7 DE2":6 8ultiple sta4 5oun)s.
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 7e4ruary +% 1011% he 5as in the house of his
cousin% *ulian Ca)ion% at &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero Street% 8an)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 e<periencin! e<cessive 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[0
*ulian alias DBu4oyE Ca)ion corro4orate) the appellant-s testi(ony. :e testifie) that
the appellant 5as in their house on the ni!ht of 7e4ruary +% 1011% an) 5as sufferin!
fro( ulcer. "he appellant staye) ho(e on the ni!ht of the inci)ent.
1,[1,
2!ripina Gloria% a fe(ale security !uar) resi)in! at Bloc= A,% Nueve )e Pe4rero%
&1@% Int. '% 2llison St.% 8an)aluyon! City% testifie) that on 7e4ruary +% 1011 at aroun)
116,, p.(.% she hear) a co((otion outsi)e. 8o(entarily% she sa5 Ronnie rush into the
=itchen of the house of her niece "eresitaG 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[11
On 8ay A% 100+% the trial court ren)ere) its assaile) )ecision% the )ispositive portion
of 5hich rea)s% to 5it6
?:ERE7ORE% this Court fin)s RENE G2>O" PI3O32 of &,& Nueve )e 7e4rero
Street% 8an)aluyon! City% GFI3"> 4eyon) reasona4le )ou4t of 8ur)er punishe)
un)er 2rticle @'1 of the Revise) Penal Co)e% an) there 4ein! no (iti!atin! nor
a!!ravatin! circu(stances% he is here4y sentence) to reclusion perpetua. Pilola is
here4y or)ere) to in)e(nify the heirs of )ecease) *oselito Capa alias *essie in the
a(ount of 7I7"> ":OFS2ND PESOS #P+,%,,,.,,$ as in)e(nity for his )eath 9ointly
an) soli)arily 5ith O)ilon 3a!li4a 5ho 5as earlier convicte) herein. ?ith cost a!ainst
the accuse).
1@[1@
In the case at 4ar% the appellant assails the )ecision of the trial court conten)in!
that6
I
":E "RI23 COFR" ERRED IN CONC3FDING ":2" ":ERE ?2S CONSPIR2C>
2NEN" ":E 2SS2I3ED INCIDEN".
II
":E "RI23 COFR" ERRED IN GIVING CREDENCE "O ":E FNRE3I2B3E 2ND
INCONSIS"EN" "ES"I8ON> O7 PROSECF"ION ?I"NESS E3IS2 RO32N 2ND IN
SE""ING 2SIDE ":E EVIDENCE PRO77ERED B> 2CCFSED;2PPE332N".
III
":E "RI23 COFR" 82NI7ES"3> ERRED IN CONVIC"ING 2CCFSED;2PPE332N"
O7 ":E CRI8E C:2RGED DESPI"E ":E 72C" ":2" :IS GFI3" ?2S NO"
0 [0
"SN% @@ 7e4ruary 100+.
1, [1,
"SN% 1& 8arch 100+.
11 [11
"SN% @ 8arch 100+% pp. 1;&.
1@ [1@
Recor)s% p. @,A.
PROVED BE>OND RE2SON2B3E DOFB".
1A[1A
"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 e<a(ination that Ronnie struc= the hea) of the victi( 5ith a hollo5 4loc=.
:o5ever% on cross;e<a(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.
7irst. "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'[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 8uHoC an) his testi(ony that the
victi( sustaine) eleven sta4 5oun)s. "he )octor testifie) that there 5ere t5o or (ore
assailants6
K Coul) you tell the court 5hat instru(ent coul) have 4een use) 4y the perpetrator
in inflictin! those t5o incise 5oun)sL
2 "hose incise 5oun)s 5ere cause) 4y a sharp instru(ent li=e a =nife or any si(ilar
instru(ent.
M
K No5 you also foun) out fro( the 4o)y of the victi( eleven sta4 5oun)sL
2 >es% sir.
K No5% tell the court in 5hich part of the 4o)y of the victi( 5here these eleven sta4
5oun)s [are locate)L
2 Shall I !o one 4y one% all the eleven sta4 5oun)sL
K 2ll the eleven sta4 5oun)sL
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
1A [1A
Rollo, pp. 1,';1,+.
1' [1'
People v . :arovilla , G.R. No. 1'+/10 % 2u!ust @,% @,,@.
is locate) at the left ar(. "hese are all the eleven sta4 5oun)s sustaine) 4y the
victi(.
M
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.
K Consi)erin! the nu(4er of sta4 5oun)s% )octor% 5ill you tell us 5hether there 5ere
several assailantsL
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.
K So there coul) have 4een t5o or three assailantsL
2 8ore than one.
1+[1+
"he physical evi)ence is a (ute 4ut eloBuent (anifestation of the veracity of Elisa-s
testi(ony.
1&[1&
7ourth. 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 e<ists% an) that the testi(ony is 5orthy of full faith an) cre)ence.
1/[1/
7ifth. "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 co;accuse). 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.
1+ [1+
"SN% @ 7e4ruary 100+% pp. +;1.
1& [1&
People v . Bonifacio% G.R. No. 1AA/00 % 7e4ruary +% @,,@.
1/ [1/
People v . 8en)oCa% G.R. No. 1'+AA0;'@ % Nove(4er @&% @,,@.
?e 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[11
Conspiracy as a (o)e of incurrin! cri(inal lia4ility (ust 4e prove)
separately fro( an) 5ith the sa(e Buantu( 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[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 o49ect% 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.
@,[@,
There may be
conspiracy even if an offender does not know the identities of the other offenders%
@1[@1
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.
@@[@@
One need only to knowingly contribute his efforts
in furtherance of it.
@A[@A
One 5ho 9oins a cri(inal conspiracy in effect a)opts as his o5n
the cri(inal )esi!ns of his co;conspirators. If conspiracy is esta4lishe)% all the
conspirators are lia4le as co;principals re!ar)less of the (anner an) e<tent of their
participation since in conte(plation of la5% the act of one 5oul) 4e the act of all.
@'[@'
Each
of the conspirators is the a!ent of all the others.
@+[@+
"o hol) an accuse) !uilty as a co;principal 4y reason of conspiracy% he (ust 4e
sho5n to have perfor(e) an overt act in pursuance or furtherance of the conspiracy.
@&[@&
"he (ere presence of an accuse) at the situs of the cri(e 5ill not sufficeG (ere
=no5le)!e% acBuiescence 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.
@/[@/
Conspiracy to e<ist )oes not reBuire an
a!ree(ent for an apprecia4le perio) prior to the occurrence. 7ro( the le!al stan)point%
conspiracy e<ists if% at the ti(e of the co((ission of the offense% the accuse) ha) the
11 [11
2rticle 1% Revise) Penal Co)e.
8ost (o)ern co)es )efine conspiracy in ter(s of a sin!le actor a!reein! 5ith another% rather than as an
a!ree(ent 4et5een t5o or (ore persons.
10 [10
People v . Kuilaton % A@' SCR2 &/, #@,,,$.
@, [@,
People v . Del Rosario % A,+ SCR2 /', #1000$.
@1 [@1
Fnite) States v. ?atson, +0' 7.@). 1AA, #10/0$.
@@ [@@
Fnite) States v. Burchinal% &+/ 7.@). 01+ #1010$.
@A [@A
Phelps v. Fnite) States% 1&, 7.@) 1+1 #10'/$.
@' [@'
People v . 2lta4ano % A1/ SCR2 /,1 #1000$.
@+ [@+
2llen v. Fnite) States% ' 7.@) &11 #10@+$.
@& [@&
People v . Eli9or)e % A,& SCR2 111 #1000$.
@/ [@/
People v. Del Rosario% supra.
same purpose an) 5ere united in its e<ecution.
@1[@1
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).
@0[@0
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
2rt. '. Criminal liability. J Cri(inal lia4ility shall 4e incurre)6
1. By any person co((ittin! a felony #)elito$ althou!h the 5ron!ful act )one 4e
)ifferent fro( that 5hich he inten)e).
In such a case% it is not necessary that each of the separate in9uries is fatal in itself.
It is sufficient if the in9uries 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.
A,[A,
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
2rt. 11. Accomplices. J 2cco(plices are the persons 5ho% not 4ein! inclu)e) in
2rticle 1/% cooperate in the e<ecution of the offense 4y previous 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!nG that is% =no5in! the cri(inal )esi!n of the principal 4y
)irect participation% he concurs 5ith the latter in his purposeG #4$ the perfor(ance of
previous or si(ultaneous acts that are not in)ispensa4le to the co((ission of the
cri(e.
A1[A1
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 e<ecution. 2cco(plices )o not
)eci)e 5hether the cri(e shoul) 4e co((itte)G they (erely assent to the plan of the
principal 4y )irect participation an) cooperate in its acco(plish(ent.
A@[A@
:o5ever% 5here
one cooperates in the co((ission of the cri(e 4y perfor(in! overt acts 5hich 4y
the(selves are acts of e<ecution% he is a principal 4y )irect participation% an) not (erely
an acco(plice.
AA[AA
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 9oin inG they rushe) to the scene an) also
@1 [@1
People v . 3isterio % AA+ SCR2 ', #@,,,$.
@0 [@0
People v . Catian% G.R. No. 1A0&0A % *anuary @'% @,,@.
A, [A,
People v. Cutura% ' SCR2 &&A #10&@$.
A1 [A1
People v . De Vera % A1@ SCR2 &', #1000$.
A@ [A@
See note @+.
AA [AA
People v. 8a!alon!, @'' SCR2 11/ #100+$G People v . Orte!a% *r. % @/& SCR2 1&& #100/$.
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. ?hen 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 9oine) 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(G 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.
A'[A'
"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 acBuittal% it (ust 4e esta4lishe) 4y clear an)
convincin! evi)ence. 7or 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.
A+[A+
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.
A&[A&
But the appellant faile) to a))uce any (e)ical certificate that he 5as sufferin!
fro( the ail(ent. 8oreover% 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) self;servin!
an) cannot 4e !iven !reater evi)entiary 5ei!ht than the positive testi(ony of
prosecution eye5itness Elisa Rolan.
A/[A/
"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)
A' [A'
See note @1.
A+ [A+
People v . 8atore% G.R. No. 1A11/' % 2u!ust @@% @,,@.
A& [A&
"SN% @@ 7e4ruary 100+% pp. @;A #Rene Pilola$.
A/ [A/
People v . GonCales , G.R. No. 1'@0A@ % 8ay @0% @,,@.
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 8ay +% 1011% a su4poena for the appellant 5as returne) unserve)
4ecause he 5as Dout of to5n.E
A1[A1
"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
K So% ho5 lon! )i) you stay at &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero after 7e4ruary +% 1011L
2 One 5ee= only% sir% an) then three 5ee=s after% I returne) to Nueve )e Pe4rero.
K "he 5hole 5ee= after 7e4ruary +% 1011% 5as Rene Pilola still livin! at &,& Nueve
)e Pe4reroL
2 I )i) not see hi( any(ore% sir.
K 2n) then three 5ee=s thereafter% you 5ent 4ac= to Nueve )e Pe4rero. Is that 5hat
you 5ere then sayin!L
2 >es% sir.
K No5% at the ti(e that you 5ent 4ac= to &,& Nueve )e Pe4rero% 5as Rene Pilola
thereL
2 I )i) not see hi( any(ore% sir.
A0[A0
"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 Bualifie) 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 e<ecution thereof 5hich ten) )irectly an) specially to
insure its e<ecution% 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) une<pecte) attac= on the
unar(e) victi( 5ithout the sli!htest provocation on his part.
'1['1
In this case% the attac=
on the unar(e) victi( 5as su))en. O)ilon% 5ithout provocation% su))enly place) his
A1 [A1
E<hi4it DG.E
A0 [A0
"SN% 1& 8arch 100+% pp. 1,;11.
', [',
People v . 8en)oCa% G.R. No. 1'+AA0;'@ % Nove(4er @&% @,,@.
'1 ['1
People v . 24a)ies% G.R. No. 1A+0/+ % 2u!ust 1'% @,,@.
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.
FnBuestiona4ly% the nature an) location of the 5oun)s sho5e) that the =illin! 5as
e<ecute) in a treacherous (anner% preventin! any (eans of )efense on the part of the
victi(. 2s testifie) to 4y Dr. Bienveni)o 8uHoC% the victi( 5as sta44e)% not 9ust once%
4ut eleven ti(es (ostly on the chest an) the a4)o(inal area. Si< of the sta4 5oun)s
5ere fatal% causin! )a(a!e to the victi(-s vital internal or!ans.
'@['@
"he a!!ravatin! circu(stance of a4use of superior stren!th is a4sor4e) 4y
treachery.
'A['A
"here is no (iti!atin! circu(stance that atten)e) the co((ission of the
felony. "he penalty for (ur)er un)er 2rticle @'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 &A 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 e delicto% in accor) 5ith current
9urispru)ence.
''[''
"he sai) heirs are li=e5ise entitle) to (oral )a(a!es in the a(ount of
P+,%,,,% also confor(a4ly to current 9urispru)ence.
'+['+
In a))ition% the heirs are entitle)
to e<e(plary )a(a!es in the a(ount of P@+%,,,.
'&['&
4HEREFORE% the Decision% )ate) 8ay A% 100+% of Branch 1&' of the Re!ional
"rial Court of Pasi! City in Cri(inal Case No. /A&1+% fin)in! appellant Rene Gayot
Pilola GFI3"> 4eyon) reasona4le )ou4t of the cri(e of (ur)er is 277IR8ED ?I":
8ODI7IC2"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(nityG the a(ount of P+,%,,, as
(oral )a(a!esG an) the a(ount of P@+%,,, as e<e(plary )a(a!es.
SO ORDERED.
!ellosillo, "Chairman#, an) $uisumbing, %%., concur.
Austria&'artine(, %., on official leave.
'@ ['@
"SN% @ 7e4ruary 100+% pp. &;/ #Dr. Bienveni)o 8uHoC$.
'A ['A
People v . CruC% G.R. No. 1@//10 % 2pril @% @,,@.
'' [''
People v . Garcia% G.R. No. 1'++,+ % 8arch 1'% @,,A.
'+ ['+
See note A+.
'& ['&
People v . Catu4i! % A&A SCR2 &@1 #@,,1$.