G.R. Nos.

136149-51 September 19, 2000

PEOPLE OF THE PHLPPNES, appellee,
vs.
!"LP"N L"#$""L"% y %H"$L &'(&s )!"RP"N,) appellant.
D E C I S I O N
P"NG"N*"N, J.:
Republic Act No. 8294 penalizes simple illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms, p"ovi#e# t$at t$e pe"son a""este# committe# %no ot$e" c"ime.% &u"t$e"mo"e,
i! t$e pe"son is $el# liable !o" mu"#e" o" $omici#e, illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms is an a"avatin ci"cumstance, but not a sepa"ate o!!ense. 'ence,
($e"e an accuse# (as convicte# o! #i"ect assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#e !o" !i"in an unlicense# )*+4 "i!le at seve"al policemen ($o
(e"e about to se"ve a sea"c$ (a""ant, $e cannot be $el# uilt, o! t$e sepa"ate o!!ense o! illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms. Neit$e" can suc$ unla(!ul
act be consi#e"e# to $ave a"avate# t$e #i"ect assault.
-$e Case
.alpan /a#0aalam y )i$a0il, also 1no(n as %.a"pan,% appeals be!o"e us t$e Septembe" +2, +998 Decision
+
o! t$e Reional -"ial Cou"t 3R-C4 o!
5amboana Cit, 36"anc$ +74, ($ic$ !oun# $im uilt, o! t$"ee out o! t$e !ou" c$a"es lo#e# aainst $im.
&ile# aainst appellant (e"e !ou" In!o"mations,
2
all sine# b, Assistant Reional State 8"osecuto" Rica"#o 9. Caba"on an# #ate# Septembe" 2:,
+992. -$e !i"st In!o"mation
;
(as !o" maintainin a #en !o" t$e use o! "eulate# #"us. It "ea#s as !ollo(s<
%-$at on o" about Septembe" 24, +992, in t$e Cit, o! 5amboana, 8$ilippines, an# (it$in t$e 0u"is#iction o! t$is 'ono"able Cou"t, t$e above*name#
accuse#, .alpan /a#0aalam bein t$en t$e o(ne" o! a "esi#ential $ouse locate# at Rio 'on#o,
4
t$is Cit,, conspi"in an# con!e#e"atin toet$e",
mutuall, ai#in an# assistin = = = $is co*accuse# (i!e Nu"*in /a#0aalam an# A$ma# Sailabbi , 'a0a"aini, #i# t$en an# t$e"e (il!ull,, unla(!ull, an#
!eloniousl,, maintain sai# $ouse as a #en, ($e"e "eulate# #"u >(as? use# in an, !o"m.%
:
-$e secon# In!o"mation
7
c$a"e# appellant (it$ illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms an# ammunition. .e @uote it belo(<
%-$at on o" about Septembe" 24, +992, in t$e Cit, o! 5amboana, 8$ilippines, an# (it$in t$e 0u"is#iction o! t$is 'ono"able Cou"t, t$e above*name#
accuse#, conspi"in an# con!e#e"atin toet$e", mutuall, ai#in an# assistin (it$ one anot$e", (it$out an, 0usti!iable "eason o" pu"pose ot$e" t$an
to use it in t$e commission o! c"ime, #i# t$en an# t$e"e, (il!ull,, unla(!ull,, an# !eloniousl, $ave in t$ei" possession an# un#e" t$ei" custo#, an#
cont"ol, t$e !ollo(in (eapons, to (it< one 3+4 )+4 "i!le (it$ SN +:::22: (it$ maazines an# seven 324 "oun#s o! live ammunitionA t(o 324
maazines (it$ t(ent, 32B4 an# t(ent,>*one? 32+4 "oun#s o! live >ammunition?A one 3+4 $omema#e calibe" .;8 "evolve" (it$ !ive 3:4 live ammunitionA
one 3+4 )*29 3sinle4 "i!le (it$ pouc$ an# (it$ !ive 3:4 empt, s$ell>s?A one 3+4 $ome ma#e calibe" .;8 (it$ SN*;++B92 (it$ !ive live ammunition an#
one empt, s$ell o! >a? cal. ;8 = = = Smit$ an# .essonA t(o 324 .;8 Calibe" palti1 "evolve" (it$ Se"ial Numbe" ;++B92 an# one #e!ace# )29 "ena#e
launc$e" palti1, (it$out !i"st $avin obtaine# t$e necessa", license an# o" pe"mit t$e"e!o" !"om aut$o"ities conce"ne#, in !la"ant violation o! t$e
a!o"ementione# la(.%
2
-$e t$i"# In!o"mation,
8
!o" multiple attempte# mu"#e" (it$ #i"ect assault, (as (o"#e# t$us<
%-$at on o" about Septembe" 24, +992, in t$e Cit, o! 5amboana, 8$ilippines, an# (it$in t$e 0u"is#iction o! t$is 'ono"able Cou"t, t$e above*name#
accuse# bein t$en a"me# (it$ )*+4 A"malite Ri!les, )*+7 A"malite Ri!les an# ot$e" asso"te# !i"ea"ms an# e=plosives, conspi"in an#
con!e#e"atin toet$e", mutuall, ai#in an# assistin = = = one anot$e" an# (it$ intent to 1ill, #i# t$en an# t$e"e (il!ull,, unla(!ull, an# !eloniousl,
t", an# attempt to 1ill S8O+ .I//IA) 6. CONES, CR., 8O; ENRIDEE C. RIFERA>,? S8O+ A)ADO A. )IRASO/, CR., an# S8O+ RICARDO C.
/ACAS-ESAN-OS, in t$e !ollo(in manne", to (it< b, t$en an# t$e"e !i"in t$ei" )*+4 = = = A"malite Ri!les, )*+7 A"malite Ri!les an# ot$e" asso"te#
!i"ea"ms an# e=plosives, aime# an# #i"ecte# at t$e !atal pa"ts o! t$e bo#ies o! t$e above*name# police o!!ice"s, (ell 1no(n to t$e accuse# as
membe"s o! t$e 8$ilippine National 8olice, 5amboana Cit, 8olice O!!ice, an# as suc$, aents o! a pe"son in aut$o"it,, ($o at t$e time o! t$e attac1
(e"e enae# in t$e pe"!o"mance o! t$ei" #uties, t$at is, on t$e occasion ($en sai# o!!ice"s (e"e about to se"ve t$e Sea"c$ .a""ant leall, issue#
b, t$e Reional -"ial Cou"t, t$is Cit,, to t$e pe"son o! t$e accuse# t$us commencin t$e commission o! c"ime o! multiple mu"#e" #i"ectl, b, ove"t
acts, an# i! t$e accuse# #i# not accomplis$ t$ei" unla(!ul pu"pose, t$at is, to 1ill t$e above*name# 8olice O!!ice"s, it (as not b, "eason o! t$ei" o(n
volunta", #esistance but "at$e" because o! t$e !act t$at all t$e above*name# police o!!ice"s (e"e able to see1 cove" #u"in t$e !i"in an# (e"e not
$it b, t$e bullets an# e=plosives !i"e# b, t$e accuse# an# also b, t$e !act sai# police o!!ice"s (e"e able to ("estle (it$ t(o 324 o! t$e accuse#
namel,< .alpan /a#0aalam , )i$a0il a.1.a. G.a"panH an# A$ma# Sailabbi , 'a0ai"ani, ($o (e"e sub#ue# an# subse@uentl, place# un#e" a""estA
($e"eas accuse# 8O2 Nu"$a1im -. 'a#0ula (as able to ma1e oo# $is escape an# $as "emaine# at*la"e.%
9
In t$e !ou"t$ In!o"mation, appellant (as c$a"e# (it$ illeal possession o! #"us.
+B
On Decembe" 2+, +992, t$e cases aainst Nu"*in /a#0aalam an# A$ma# Sailabbi y 'a0a"aini (e"e #ismisse# upon motion o! t$e O!!ice o! t$e Cit,
8"osecuto", ($ic$ $a# con#ucte# a "einvestiation o! t$e cases as o"#e"e# b, t$e lo(e" cou"t. -$e accuse# (e"e conse@uentl, "elease# !"om 0ail.
-$e a""ainment o! appellant on all !ou" 344 c$a"es too1 place on Canua", 7, +998, #u"in ($ic$ $e ente"e# a plea o! not uilt,.
++
A!te" p"et"ial, t$e
assaile# Decision (as "en#e"e#, t$e #ispositive pa"t o! ($ic$ "ea#s<
%!HEREFORE, t$e Cou"t !in#s accuse# !"LP"N L"#$""L"% + %H"$L a.1.a. GWARPANH *
%+. in C"iminal Case No. +47;7, G,LT- *E-ON# RE"SON"*LE #O,*T o! Fiolation o! Section +:*A, A"ticle III, o! Republic Act No.
742:, ot$e"(ise 1no(n as t$e Dane"ous D"us Act o! +922, as amen#e#, an# SEN-ENCES sai# accuse# to t$e penalt, o! RE.L,SON
PERPET," an# to pa, a !ine o! F/E H,N#RE# THO,S"N#38:BB,BBB.BB4 an# to pa, t$e costsA
%2. In C"iminal Case No. +47;2, NOT G,LT- o! Fiolation o! Section +7, A"ticle III, in "elation to Section 2+, A"ticle IF, o! Republic Act No.
742:, ot$e"(ise 1no(n as t$e Dane"ous D"us Act o! +922, as amen#e#, an# ".0,TS$im o! sai# c"ime (it$ costs #e o!icioA
%;. in C"iminal Case No. +47;8, G,LT- *E-ON# RE"SON"*LE #O,*T o! t$e c"ime o! Illeal 8ossession o! &i"ea"m an# Ammunition
penalize# un#e" 8"esi#ential Dec"ee No. +877, as amen#e# b, Republic Act. No. 8294, an# SENTEN.ES sai# accuse# to su!!e" an
in#ete"minate penalt, o! S1 263 -E"RS o! p"ision co""eccional as minimum to EGHT 243 -E"RS o! p"ision ma,o" as ma=imum an# to pa,
a !ine >o!? THRT- THO,S"N# 2P30,000.003 an# pa, t$e costsA
%4. in C"iminal Case No. +47;9, G,LT- *E-ON# RE"SON"*LE #O,*T o! t$e c"ime o! Di"ect Assault (it$ )ultiple Attempte#
'omici#e an# SENTEN.ES sai# accuse# to an in#ete"minate penalt, o! T!O 223 -E"RS &56 FO,R 243 %ONTHS o! p"ision co""eccional
as minimum to S1 263 -E"RS o! p"ision co""eccional as ma=imum an# to pa, a !ine o! ONE THO,S"N# 2P1,000.003 an# to pa, t$e
costs.% 3emp$asis in t$e o"iinal4
'ence, t$is appeal.
+2
-$e &acts
Prosecutions Version
In its 6"ie!,
+;
t$e O!!ice o! t$e Solicito" 9ene"al p"esents t$e !acts in t$is (ise<
%At +<4: p.m. o! Septembe" 24, +992, 8O; Allan )a"cos Obut !ile# an application !o" t$e issuance o! a sea"c$ (a""ant aainst appellant, $is (i!e
an# some Co$n Does 3E=$. C4. A!te" t$e sea"c$ (a""ant (as issue# about 2<;B p.m. o! t$e same #a,, a b"ie!in (as con#ucte# insi#e t$e o!!ice o!
t$e Anti*FiceINa"cotics Enit o! t$e 5amboana Cit, 8olice O!!ice in connection (it$ t$e se"vice o! t$e sea"c$ (a""ant. -$e b"ie!in (as con#ucte#
b, S8O2 &elipe 9aantin, C$ie! o! t$e Anti*FiceINa"cotics Enit. Du"in t$e b"ie!in, 8O; Renato Dela 8eJa (as assine# as p"esento" o! t$e
(a""ant. S8O+ Rica"#o /acastesantos an# 8O; En"i@ue Rive"a (e"e #esinate# to con#uct t$e sea"c$. Ot$e" policemen (e"e assine# as
pe"imete" ua"#s 3-SN, )a"c$ ;, +998, pp. ;;*;74.
%A!te" t$e b"ie!in, mo"e t$an t$i"t, 3;B4 policemen $ea#e# b, 8olice Supe"inten#ent E#(in Sole#a# p"ocee#e# to t$e $ouse o! appellant an# $is
(i!e at Rio 'on#o on boa"# seve"al police ve$icles 3-SN, )a"c$ 4, +998, p. ;2A Ap"il 22, +998, p. :44. 6e!o"e t$e, coul# "eac$ appellantHs $ouse,
t$"ee 3;4 pe"sons sittin at a nea"b, sto"e "an to(a"#s t$e $ouse s$outin, G>8?olice, "ai#, "ai#H 3Ibi#., )a"c$ ;, +998, pp. 4+, 4;*44A Ap"il 2;, +998, p.
44. .$en t$e policemen (e"e about ten 3+B4 mete"s !"om t$e main ate o! t$e $ouse, t$e, (e"e met b, a "api# bu"st o! un!i"e comin !"om t$e
secon# !loo" o! t$e $ouse. -$e"e (as also un!i"e at t$e bac1 o! t$e $ouse 3Ibi#., )a"c$ :, +998, pp. +4*+74.
%S8O+ )i"asol, S8O2 /acastesantos, 8O; Rive"a, an# 8O; Dela 8eJa ($o (e"e (it$ t$e !i"st "oup o! policemen sa( appellant !i"e an )+4 "i!le
to(a"#s t$em. -$e, all 1ne( appellant. .$en t$e, (e"e !i"e# upon, t$e "oup, toet$e" (it$ S8O2 9aantin, 8O; Obut an# Supe"inten#ent
Sole#a#, sou$t cove" at t$e conc"ete !ence to obse"ve t$e movements at t$e secon# !loo" o! t$e $ouse ($ile ot$e" policemen su""oun#e# t$e
$ouse 3Ibi#., )a"c$ 4, +998, pp. :B*:+4.
%In !"ont o! t$e $ouse (as an e=tension buil#in connecte# to t$e conc"ete !ence 3Ibi#., pp. 4:*47, :2*:9, 2;*274. 9aantin, )i"asol,
/acastesantos, 9"eo"io, an# Obut ente"e# t$e #oo" o! t$e e=tension buil#in. 9aantin opene# t$e main 3steel4 ate o! t$e $ouse. -$e ot$e"
membe"s o! t$e team t$en ente"e#. /acastesantos an# )i"asol ente"e# t$e $ouse t$"ou$ t$e main #oo" an# (ent insi#e t$e sala o! t$e "oun#
!loo" ($ile ot$e" policemen su""oun#e# t$e $ouse. -(o 324 ol# (omen (e"e in t$e sala toet$e" (it$ a ,oun i"l an# t$"ee 3;4 c$il#"en. One o! t$e
ol# (omen too1 t$e c$il#"en to t$e secon# !loo" ($ile t$e ,oun i"l "emaine# seate# at t$e co"ne" 3Ibi#., pp. +9*2+4.
%/acastesantos an# )i"asol p"ocee#e# to t$e secon# !loo" ($e"e t$e, ea"lie" sa( appellant !i"in an )+4 "i!le at t$em t$"ou$ t$e (in#o(. .$ile
t$e, (e"e oin upstai"s, appellant notice# t$ei" p"esence. 'e (ent insi#e t$e be#"oom an#, a!te" b"ea1in an# "emovin t$e 0alousies, 0umpe#
!"om t$e (in#o( to t$e "oo! o! a nei$bo"in $ouse. Seein t$is, )i"asol "us$e# #o(nstai"s an# as1e# $elp !"om t$e ot$e" membe"s o! t$e "ai#in
team to a""est appellant. /acastesantos (ent to t$e secon# !loo" an# s$oute# to t$e policemen outsi#e not to !i"e in t$e #i"ection o! t$e secon# !loo"
because t$e"e (e"e c$il#"en. )i"asol an# S8O+ Cesa" Rabu,a a""este# appellant at t$e bac1 o! $is $ouse a!te" a b"ie! c$ase 3Ibi#., pp. 2+*2;4.
%At t$e secon# !loo", /acastesantos sa( an )+4 "i!le 3E=$. 6*;4 (it$ maazine on top o! t$e so!a at t$e sala on t$e secon# !loo" 3Ibi#., 8. 224. -$e
"i!le bo"e Se"ial No. +:::22:. 'e "emove# t$e maazine !"om t$e "i!le an# t$e bullet insi#e t$e c$ambe" o! t$e "i!le. 'e counte# seventeen 3+24 live
ammunition insi#e t$e maazine. 'e sa( t(o 324 mo"e )+4 "i!le maazines on t$e so!a, one (it$ t(ent, 32B4 live ammunition 3E=$. 9*;4 an#
anot$e" (it$ t(ent,*one 32+4 live ammunition 3E=$. 9*44. 'e li1e(ise sa( t$"ee 3;4 )+7 "i!le maazines 3E=$. 9*24 in a co"ne" at t$e secon# !loo"
3-SN, )a"c$ :, +998, pp. 2;*;2, :;*:24.
%A!te" /acastesantos an# )i"asol ente"e# appellantHs $ouse, Rive"a, Dela 8eJa, 9"eo"io an# Obut !ollo(e# an# ente"e# t$e $ouse. A!te"
i#enti!,in t$emselves as membe"s o! t$e 8N8 Anti*FiceINa"cotics Enit, Obut p"esente# to t$e ol# (omen a cop, o! t$e sea"c$ (a""ant. Dela 8eJa
an# Rive"a t$en sea"c$e# appellantHs "oom on t$e "oun# !loo" in t$e p"esence o! 8unon 6a"ana, El$ano 3-SN, )a"c$ ;, +998, pp. 4+*4;4. On
top o! a table (as a pencil case 3E=$. C4 (it$ !i!t, 3:B4 !ol#e# aluminum !oils insi#e 3E=$s. C*+ to C*:B4, eac$ containin met$amp$etamine
$,#"oc$lo"i#e o" Gs$abuH.
%Ot$e" items (e"e !oun# #u"in t$e sea"c$, namel,, asso"te# coins in #i!!e"ent #enominations 3E=$. .A -SN, Ap"il 28, +998, pp. 2;*2:4, one 3+4
$omema#e .;8 calibe" "evolve" 3E=$. 6*24 (it$ !ive 3:4 live >ammunition?, one 3+4 )29 sinle "i!le (it$ >a? pouc$ containin !ive 3:4 empt, s$ells o! an
)29 "i!le 3E=$. 6*44, an# one 3+4 empt, s$ell o! an )+4 "i!le 3-SN, Ap"il 2;, +998, pp. ;B*;24.
%Rino 6a"tolome /ocson (as an in!o"me" o! t$e Anti*FiceINa"cotics Enit o! t$e 5amboana 8olice. >O?n t$e mo"nin o! Septembe" 24, +992, $e (as
inst"ucte# b, S8O2 9aantin to o to appellantHs $ouse to bu, Gs$abu.H /ocson 1ne( appellant as a selle" o! Gs$abuH 3-SN, Ap"il 22, +998, p. :4
an# $a# been to appellantHs $ouse about !i!teen 3+:4 times be!o"e. 'e (ent to Rio 'on#o an# a""ive# at appellantHs $ouse at ;<2B p.m. 'e bou$t
8;BB.BB (o"t$ o! Gs$abuH !"om appellant. -$e latte" ot t$"ee 3;4 #ec1s o! s$abu !"om $is (aist ba. Appellant inst"ucte# /ocson to o be$in# t$e
cu"tain ($e"e t$e"e (as a table. -$e"e (e"e si= 374 pe"sons al"ea#, smo1in. -$e"e (as a li$te# 1e"osene lamp ma#e o! a me#icine bottle place#
on t$e table. -$e, as1e# /ocson to smo1e Gs$abuH an# /ocson oblie#. 'e place# t$e t$"ee 3;4 #ec1s o! Gs$abuH $e bou$t on t$e table 3Ibi#., pp. 8*
+:4.
%.$ile t$e, (e"e smo1in Gs$abu,H /ocson $ea"# un!i"e comin !"om appellantHs $ouse. -$e, all stoo# an# ente"e# appellantHs compoun# but (e"e
inst"ucte# to pass >t$"ou$? t$e ot$e" si#e. -$e, met appellant at t$e bac1 o! $is $ouse. Appellant tol# t$em to escape Gbecause t$e police a"e
al"ea#, $e"e.H -$e, scampe"e# an# G"an a(a, because t$e"e (e"e al"ea#, s$ots.H /ocson 0umpe# ove" t$e !ence an# "an to(a"#s t$e seas$o"e.
Epon "eac$in a place nea" t$e &is$e"ies Sc$ool, $e too1 a t"ic,cle an# (ent $ome 3Ibi#., pp. +2*+94.
%-$e !ollo(in #a,, Septembe" 2:, +992, $e (ent to t$e police station an# e=ecute# an a!!i#avit 3E=$. )4 na""atin ($at t"anspi"e# at appellantHs
$ouse >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992.
%A!te" t$e sea"c$ an# be!o"e "etu"nin to t$e police station, 8B; Dela 8eJa p"epa"e# a GReceipt !o" 8"ope"t, Seize#H 3E=$. 8 K ;4 listin t$e
p"ope"ties seize# #u"in t$e sea"c$. -$e "eceipt (as sine# b, Dela 8eJa as t$e seizu"e o!!ice", an# b, 8unon 6a"ana, 'a#0i 'ussin El$ano an#
"a#io "epo"te" Cun Ca,ona as (itnesses. A cop, o! t$e "eceipt (as iven to appellant but $e "e!use# to ac1no(le#e t$e p"ope"ties seize# 3-SN,
Ap"il 2;, +998, pp. ++*+24.
%An e=amination con#ucte# b, 8olice Inspecto" )e"ce#es D. Diest"o, &o"ensic C$emist o! t$e 8N8 C"ime /abo"ato", Se"vice O!!ice 9, on t$e
pa"a!!in casts ta1en !"om bot$ $an#s o! appellant ,iel#e# positive !o" unpo(#e" nit"ates 3E=$. A*;4, ivin "ise to t$e possibilit, t$at appellant $a#
!i"e# a un be!o"e t$e e=amination 3-SN, )a"c$ ;, +998, p. ++4. 9unpo(#e" "esi#ue e=aminations con#ucte# on Septembe" 27, +992 s$o(e# t$at
t$e !ollo(in !i"ea"ms G(e"e !i"e#H 3E=$. 6*:4< a .;8 calibe" "evolve" 3$omema#e4 (it$ Se"ial No. ;++B92 3E=$. 6*+4, anot$e" .;8 calibe" "evolve"
3$omema#e4 (it$out a se"ial numbe" 3E=$. 6*24, a Cal. 2.72 mm )+4 E.S. "i!le (it$ Se"ial No. +:::22: 3E=$. 6*;4, an# an )29 "i!le (it$out a se"ial
numbe" 3E=$. 6*44. -$e, (e"e !i"e# (it$in !ive 3:4 #a,s p"io" to t$e e=amination 3-SN, )a"c$ ;, +998, pp. +7*2+4.
%.it$ "espect to t$e c",stalline substances, an e=amination con#ucte# b, 8olice Inspecto" Susan ). Ca,ab,ab, li1e(ise a &o"ensic C$emist o! t$e
8N8 C"ime /abo"ato", Se"vice O!!ice 9, on t$e !i!t, 3:B4 pieces o! !ol#e# aluminum !oils eac$ containin ($ite c",stalline "anules (it$ a total
(ei$t o! +.2427 "ams 3E=$. C*+ to C*:B4 ,iel#e# positive "esults !o" t$e p"esence o! met$amp$etamine $,#"oc$lo"i#e 3s$abu4 3E=$. /4. 'o(eve",
t$e e=amination o! one 3+4 c",stalline stone (ei$in 8;.2724 "ams 3E=$. L4 ,iel#e# neative "esults !o" t$e p"esence o! met$amp$etamine
$,#"oc$lo"i#e 3E=$. /4.
%-$e "eco"#s o! t$e Reional Ope"ation an# 8lans Division o! t$e 8N8 &i"ea"m an# E=plosive Section s$o( t$at appellant G$a# not applie#I!ile# an,
application !o" license to possess !i"ea"m an# ammunition o" = = = been iven aut$o"it, to ca"", >a? !i"ea"m outsi#e o! $is "esi#enceH 3E=$. M4%
+4
Defenses Version
Appellant /a#0aalam a"ees (it$ t$e na""ation o! !acts iven b, t$e lo(e" cou"t.
+:
'ence, (e @uote t$e pe"tinent pa"ts o! t$e assaile# Decision<
%Accuse# .alpan /a#0aalam , )i$a0il a.1.a. G.a"panH, ;B ,ea"s ol#, ma""ie#, ave $is occupation as GsmulinH 3tsn, p. 2, )a, 4, +9984. 'e use#
to o to /abuan in )ala,sia an# b"in cia"ettes to t$e 8$ilippines (it$out pa,in ta=es 3tsn, pp. 4B*4+, i#4. 'e sai# t$at $is t"ue name >(as? Ab#ul
Nasse" Ab#u"a1man an# t$at .a"pan o" .alpan /a#0aalam >(as? onl, $is GaliasH. 'o(eve", $e a#mitte# t$at mo"e people 1n>e?( $im as .alpan
/a#0aalam "at$e" t$an Ab#ul Nasse" Ab#u"a1man 3tsn. pp. ;9*4BA 47*42, i#4. 'e testi!ie# t$at >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, ($en $e
(as a""este# b, t$e police, $e (as sleepin in t$e $ouse o! Dan#ao, a "elative o! $is (i!e. 'e (as alone. 'e slept in Dan#aoHs $ouse an# not in $is
$ouse because t$e, $a>#? Ga so"t o! a con!e"enceH as Dan#aoHs #au$te" (as leavin !o" Sau#i A"abia. 'e notice# t$e p"esence o! policemen in $is
nei$bo"$oo# at Apla,a, Rio 'on#o ($en $e $ea"# s$ots. 'e (o1e up an# (ent out o! t$e $ouse an# t$at (as t$e time t$at $e (as a""este#. 'e
sai# $e (as a""este# Gxxx [at] the other side of my house; at the other side of the fence where I was sleeping. xxx. At the ac! of my houseH 3tsn, p.
2, i#.4. 'e #oes not 1no( ($o a""este# $im Gconsidering that the one who arrested me does not ha"e nameplate.H 'e (as a""este# b, !ou" 344
pe"sons. Not one o! t$ose ($o a""este# $im testi!ie# in Cou"t. 'e (as $an#cu!!e# an# place# insi#e a 0eep pa"1e# at Rio 'on#o Elementa",
Sc$ool. Acco"#in to $im, $e #i# not !i"e a un at t$e policemen !"om >t?$e secon# !loo" o! $is $ouse. 'e sai# t$e GpolicemenH >(e"e? Gthe one[s] who
fire[d] at usH 3tsn, p. :, i#.4. I! $e !i"e# a un at t$e policemen !o" su"e t$e, >(oul#? #ie G[]ecause the door is "ery near x x x the "icinity of my houseH.
'e #oes not o(n t$e )+4 "i!le 3E=$. G6*;H4 ($ic$ acco"#in to policemen, $e use# in !i"in at t$em. -$e un #oes not belon to $im. 'e #oes not
$ave a un li1e t$at 3tsn, p. +:, i#.4. A policeman also o(ns an )+4 "i!le but $e #oes not 1no( t$e policeman 3tsn, pp. +7*+2, i#4. 'e sai# t$at t$e
)29 "i!le 3E=$. G6*4H4, t$e t$"ee 3;4 empt, )+7 "i!le maazines 3E=$. G9HA G9*+H to G9*2H4, t$e t(o 324 )+4 maazines (it$ live ammunition 3E=$. G9*;HA
G9*4H4A t$e t(o 324 calibe" .;8 "evolve"s 3E=$s. G6*+HA G6*2H4, t$e !i!t, 3:B4 aluminum !oils eac$ containin s$abu 3E=$s. GC*+H to GC*:BH4 place# insi#e a
pencil case 3E=$. GCH, t$e asso"te# coins place# insi#e a blue ba 3E=$. G.H4 an# t$e ($ite c",stalline stone 3E=$. GLH4 all #o not belon to $im. 'e
sai# t$at t$e policemen 0ust p"o#uce# t$ose t$ins as t$ei" evi#ence. -$e !i"ea"ms #o not belon to $im. -$e, (e"e b"ou$t b, t$e policemen 3tsn,
p. 4;, )a, 4, +9984. Rea"#in t$e blue ba containin asso"te# coins, $e sai#< Gthat is not ours# I thin! this $is% theirs# xxx they &ust rought that as
their e"idenceH 3tsn, pp. +:*24, i#.4
%.alpan /a#0aalam #ecla"e# t$e"e (e"e occupants ($o (e"e "entin $is e=tension $ouse. 'e a!!i"me# t$at $e o(ns t$at $ouse. &ou" 344 pe"sons
(e"e sta,in in t$e e=tension $ouse. 'e coul# onl, "econize t$e $usban# ($ose name is )omo,. -$e, a"e !"om Colo. -$e, le!t t$e place al"ea#,
because t$e, (e"e a!"ai# ($en t$e police "ai#e# t$e place. 3tsn, pp. 8*+B, )a, 4, +9984. 'e #oes not 1no( p"osecution (itness Rino /ocson ,
6a"tolome. Alt$ou$ /ocson "econize# $im, in $is case $e #oes not 1no( /ocson an# $e #oes not "econize $im 3tsn, p.++, i#4. 'e #i# not sell
an,t$in to /ocson an# #i# not ente"tain $im. 'e is not sellin s$abu but $e 1no(s Gfor a fact that there are plenty of person who are engaged in
selling shau in that placeH, in t$at a"ea 1no(n as Apla,a, Rio 'on#o. One o! t$em is 'a#0i Abi 3tsn, pp.++*+4, i#4.
%A!te" $is a""est .alpan /a#0aalam (as b"ou$t to t$e police station ($e"e $e sta,e# !o" one #a, an# one ni$t be!o"e $e (as t"ans!e""e# to t$e
Cit, 0ail. .$ile at t$e police station, $e (as not able to ta1e a bat$. 'e smo1es t(o pac1s o! cia"ette a #a,. .$ile $e (as at t$e police station, $e
smo1e# >a? cia"ette iven to $im b, $is ,oune" siste". 'e li$te# t$e cia"ettes (it$ >a? matc$. &"om t$e police station, $e (as b"ou$t to t$e 8N8
Reional O!!ice at R.-. /im 6ouleva"# ($e"e $e (as sub0ect to pa"a!!in e=amination 3tsn, pp. 24*27, )a, 4, +9984.
%Du"in t$e "ai# con#ucte# on $is $ouse, $is cousin 6o, /a#0aalam, Atin Sapa#i, an# Ceca" 3'i!!al4 Esman, t$e ,oune" b"ot$e" o! $is (i!e (e"e
1ille#. .alpan /a#0aalam sai# t$at $e sa( t$at Git was the policeman who shot them[#] only I do not !now his name.% (hey were !illed at the ac! of
his house. 'e sai# t$at no c$a"es (e"e !ile# aainst t$e one "esponsible !o" t$ei" #eat$ 3tsn, pp. ;B*;;* )a, 4, +9984.
%Anil$a(a A$ama#, mo"e o" less 8B ,ea"s ol#, a (i#o( (as in t$e $ouse o! .alpan /a#0aalam ($om $e calls G)ad&i IdH at t$e time t$e police "ai#e#
t$e $ouse. S$e is t$e mot$e" o! A$ma Sailabbi. S$e (as toet$e" (it$ 6abo Dan#an, t(o small c$il#"en an# a $elpe" ($en GsoldiersH ente"e# t$e
$ouse. G$*%hen they arri"ed# they !ept on firing $their guns% e"en inside the houseH 3tsn, p.:, )a, :, +9984. -$e, (e"e a"me# (it$ s$o"t an# lon
!i"ea"ms. -$e, sea"c$e# t$e $ouse an# scatte"e# t$ins an# ot ($at t$e, (ante#. -$e, ente"e# t$e "oom o! .alpan /a#0aalam. -$e, t"ie# to open
a ba containin 0e(el",. .$en Anil$a(a t"ie# to b"in t$e ba outsi#e t$e "oom, t$e, "abbe# t$e ba !"om $e" an# po1e# a un at $e". At t$at
time .alpan /a#0aalam (as not in t$e $ouse. A$ama# Sailabbi (as also not in t$e $ouse. A Sea"c$ .a""ant (as s$o(n to Anil$a(a a!te" t$e
sea"c$ (as con#ucte# an# 0ust be!o"e t$e policemen le!t t$e place. Anil$a(a A$ama# sai# t$at Git was already late in the afternoon[;] efore they
left that was the time the 'earch *arrant $was% gi"en to us y xxx +arangay ,aptain )ussin -lhanoH 3tsn, pp.7*8, )a, :, +9984. 6a"ana,
C$ai"man El$ano a""ive# Galready late in the afternoon# almost sundownH 3tsn, p. 9, i#4. Anil$a( #ecla"e# t$at asi#e !"om a ba containin 0e(el",
an# a ba !ull o! mone,, s$e $a# not seen an,t$in else t$at (as ta1en !"om .alpan /a#0aalamHs $ouse 3tsn, pp. 9*+2, i#4.
%A1ma# 3A$ma#4 Sailabbi, ;2 ,ea"s ol#, ma""ie# testi!ie# t$at about 4<BB oHcloc1 >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, $a (as stan#in in !"ont
o! $is $ouse ($en policemen a""ive# an# imme#iatel, a""este# $im. 'e (as about to o to t$e Cit, 8"ope" to bu, a"ticles $e (as inten#in to b"in
to Saba$. 'e $a# Garound P./#///.//H place# insi#e a (aist ba tie# a"oun# $is (aist. -$e policemen tol# $im to lie #o(n in p"one position an# a
policeman sea"c$e# $is bac1. -$e, pulle# $is (aist ba an# too1 $is DiaSta" ("ist (atc$. 'e (as s$ot t$"ee times an# (as $it on t$e !o"e$ea#
leavin a sca". 'is in0u", (as not t"eate#. 'e (as ta1en to t$e police station ($e"e $e (as #etaine# !o" one #a, an# one ni$t. 'e (as #etaine# at
t$e Cit, Cail !o" t$"ee mont$s an# !ive #a,s a!te" ($ic$ $e (as "elease# 3tsn, pp. 2:*29, )a, :, +9984.
%)elba Esma, 2B ,ea"s ol#, a (i#o(, testi!ie# t$at >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, s$e (as in t$e $ouse o! $e" pa"ents l,in toet$e"
(it$ $e" $usban# Si11al Esma. -$e"e is onl, one $ouse bet(een $e" pa"entsH $ouse an# t$e $ouse o! .alpan /a#0aalam. 'e" $usban# Si11al
Esman is t$e b"ot$e" o! Nu"*in /a#0aalam, .alpanHs (i!e. .$en )elba $ea"# s$ots, s$e (ent #o(nstai"s. A policeman (as loo1in !o" $e"
$usban#. -$e policeman calle# $e" $usban#. .$en $e" $usban# (ent #o(n, $e (as inst"ucte# b, t$e policeman to lie #o(n in p"one position.
-$en t$e policeman s$ot $e" $usban#. -$e policeman $a# t(o ot$e" companions ($o also s$ot $e" $usban# ($ile $e (as l,in #o(n in p"one
position 3tsn, pp.2*2, )a, :, +9984.
%)u"1isa Esman, ;B ,ea"s ol#, ma""ie#, #ecla"e# t$at >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, s$e (as sittin at t$e #oo" o! $e" $ouse (atc$in
$e" c$il#"en pla,in ($en a moto"c,le, #"iven b, a pe"son, stoppe# nea" $e" $ouse. -$e #"ive" (as 9aantin ($om s$e calle# a sol#ie". 'e (ent
#o(n !"om $is moto"c,cle, pulle# a un an# po1e# it at )u"1isa. )u"1isa stoo# up an# "aise# $e" $an#s. S$e ot $e" c$il#"en an# ($en s$e (as
about to ente" t$e "oom o! $e" $ouse, 9aantin aain po1e# a un at $e" an# Gthere was a shot.H As a "esult o! !i"in, t$"ee pe"sons #ie#, namel,,
Si11al Esman, 6o, /a#0aalam an# Atip Sapali Sali 3tsn, pp. 8*+B, )a, :, +9984.
%6a"ana, Captain 'a#0i 'ussin El$ano, :+ ,ea"s ol#, testi!ie# t$at about 4<BB o Gcloc1 >o?n t$e a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, $e (as !etc$e#
b, t(o policemen at Catabanan ($e"e $e (as atten#in a semina". 6ecause o! t"a!!ic alon t$e (a,, t$e, a""ive# at t$e Rio 'on#o al"ea#, late in
t$e a!te"noon. 'e sa( policemen (e"e al"ea#, insi#e t$e $ouse. Epon ente"in t$e ate, $e sa( .alpan at t$e ate al"ea#, $an#cu!!e#. .alpan
calle# $im but t$e police a#vise# $im not to app"oac$ .alpan. -$e sea"c$ (as al"ea#, ove" an# t$ins (e"e al"ea#, ta1en insi#e t$e $ouse. .$en
$e (ent insi#e t$e $ouse, $e sa( Gthe things that they $policemen% searched# the firearms and the shauG 3tsn, p. +2. )a, 8, +9984. 'e #i# not see
t$e Sea"c$ .a""ant. .$at (as s$o(n to $im (e"e t$e t$ins "ecove"e# #u"in t$e sea"c$ ($ic$ (e"e bein liste#. -$e, (e"e bein counte# an#
place# on a table. G0pon seeing the things that were reco"ered during the search# I &ust signed the receipt $-xh. 1P1; 1P231% of the things x x x ta!en
during the search1 $tsn# pp. 34235. 6ay 5# 3775%. 'e sa( t$"ee #ea# bo#ies at t$e si#e o! t$e !ence ($en $e (ent to t$e ot$e" si#e o! t$e $ouse.
-$e t$"ee pe"sons (e"e 1ille# outsi#e t$e !ence o! .alpan /a#0aalam 3tsn, p. +8, i#4.%
+7
-$e -"ial Cou"tHs Rulin
-$e t"ial cou"t obse"ve# t$at t$e $ouse o! appellant (as "ai#e# on Septembe" 24, +992 b, vi"tue o! Sea"c$ .a""ant No. 2B issue# on t$e same #a,.
'o(eve", t$e lo(e" cou"t nulli!ie# t$e sai# .a""ant because it $a# been issue# !o" mo"e t$an one speci!ic o!!ense,
+2
in violation o! Section ;, Rule
+27 o! t$e Rules o! Cou"t.
+8
-$e cou"t a 8uo "ule#<
%It s$oul# be state# at t$e outset t$at Sea"c$ .a""ant No. 2B is totall, Gnull and "oidH because it (as issue# !o" mo"e t$an one speci!ic o!!ense = = =
cont"a", to Section ;, Rule +>2?7 o! t$e Rules o! Cou"t ($ic$ p"ovi#es t$at GA search warrant shall not issue ut upon proale cause in connection
with one specific offense xxx H. In -ambasan vs. 8eople, 247 SCRA +84 3+99:4, t$e Sup"eme Cou"t "ule# t$at a sea"c$ (a""ant !o" mo"e t$an one
o!!ense * a Gscatte" s$ot (a""antH * violates Section ;, Rule +27 o! t$e >R?evise# Rules o! Cou"t an# is Gtotall, null an# voi#.H%
+9
3emp$asis in t$e
o"iinal4
Neve"t$eless, t$e t"ial cou"t #eeme# appellantHs a""est as vali#. It emp$asize# t$at $e $a# s$ot at t$e o!!ice"s ($o (e"e t",in to se"ve t$e voi#
sea"c$ (a""ant. -$is !act (as establis$e# b, t$e testimonies o! seve"al police o!!ice"s,
2B
($o (e"e pa"ticipants in t$e "ai#, an# con!i"me# b, t$e
labo"ato", "epo"t on t$e pa"a!!in tests con#ucte# on t$e !i"ea"ms an# appellant.
2+
A##itionall,, t$e 0u#e note# t$at Appellant /a#0aalam, base# on
$is statements in $is Counte" A!!i#avit, implie#l, cont"a#icte# $is asse"tions in open cou"t t$at t$e"e $a# been no e=c$ane o! un!i"e #u"in t$e
"ai#.
22
-$e t"ial cou"t conclu#e# t$at t$e testimonies o! t$ese o!!ice"s must p"evail ove" appellantHs na""ation t$at $e (as not in $is $ouse ($en t$e
"ai# (as con#ucte#.
8"escin#in !"om t$is point, t$e cou"t a 8uo vali#ate# t$e a""est o! appellant, "easonin t$us<
%En#e" t$e ci"cumstances, t$e policemen Ghad authority to pursue and arrest *alpan 9ad&aalam and confiscate the firearm he used in shooting at
the policemen and to enter his house to effect said arrest and confiscation of the firearm.H En#e" Rule ++;, Section : 3a4, o! t$e Rules o! Cou"t, GA
peace officer or a pri"ate person may# without a warrant# arrest a person xxx $w%hen in his presence# the person to e arrested has committed# is
actually committing# or is attempting to commit an offense.H An o!!ense is committe# in t$e p"esence o" (it$in t$e vie( o! an o!!ice", (it$in t$e
meanin o! t$e "ule aut$o"izin an a""est (it$out a (a""ant, ($en t$e o!!ice" sees t$e o!!ense, alt$ou$ at a #istance, o" $ea"s t$e #istu"bances
c"eate# t$e"eb, an# p"ocee#s at once to t$e scene t$e"eo!. At t$e time t$e policemen ente"e# t$e $ouse o! accuse# .alpan /a#0aalam a!te" $e
$a# !i"e# s$ots at t$e policemen ($o inten#e# to se"ve t$e Sea"c$ .a""ant to $im, t$e accuse# (as enae# in t$e commission o! a c"ime, an#
(as pu"sue# an# a""este# a!te" $e committe# t$e c"ime o! s$ootin at t$e policemen ($o (e"e about to se"ve t$e Sea"c$ .a""ant.%
2;
As a conse@uence o! t$e leal a""est, t$e seizu"e o! t$e !ollo(in (as also #eeme# vali#< t$e )+4 "i!le 3(it$ a maazine containin seventeen live
ammunition4
24
use# b, appellant aainst t$e police elements, t(o )+4 maazines, an# t$"ee ot$e" )+7 "i!le maazines.
2:
-$e t"ial cou"t obse"ve#
t$at t$ese items (e"e in %plain vie(% o! t$e pu"suin police o!!ice"s. )o"eove", it a##e# t$at t$ese same items (e"e %evi#ence >o!? t$e commission o!
a c"ime an#Io" cont"aban# an# t$e"e!o"e, sub0ect to seizu"e%
27
since appellant %$a# not applie# !o" a license to possess !i"ea"m an# $a# not been
iven aut$o"it, to ca"", !i"ea"m outsi#e $is "esi#ence.%
22
&o" bein inc"e#ible an# unsuppo"te# b, evi#ence, appellantHs claim t$at t$e items t$at (e"e seize# b, t$e police o!!ice"s $a# been plante# (as
#isbelieve# b, t$e t"ial cou"t. It "ule# t$at i! t$e police o!!ice"s (ante# to plant evi#ence to inc"iminate $im, t$e, coul# $ave #one so #u"in t$e
p"evious "ai#s o" t$ose con#ucte# a!te" $is a""est. -o its min#, it (as unbelievable t$at t$e, (oul# c$oose to plant evi#ence, ($en t$e, (e"e
accompanie# b, t$e ba"ana, c$ai"man an# a "a#io "epo"te" ($o mi$t testi!, aainst t$em. It t$en #ismisse# t$ese alleations, sa,in t$at !"ame*
up, li1e alibi, (as an in$e"entl, (ea1 #e!ense.
28
-$e t"ial cou"t also convicte# t$e accuse# o! t$e c"ime o! maintainin a #"u #en. It "easone# as !ollo(s<
%-$e testimon, o! Rino 6a"tolome /ocson, co""obo"ate# b, S8O+ Rica"#o /acastesantos an# S8O+ Ama#o )i"asol, C". clea"l, establis$e# t$at
.alpan /a#0aalam ope"ate# an# maintaine# a #"u #en in $is e=tension $ouse ($e"e s$abu o" met$amp$etamine $,#"oc$lo"i#e, a "eulate# #"u,
(as sol#, an# ($e"e pe"sons o" custome"s bou$t an# use# s$abu o" met$amp$etamine $,#"oc$lo"i#e b, bu"nin t$e sai# "eulate# #"u an#
sni!!in its smo1e (it$ t$e use o! an aluminum !oil toote". A #"u #en is a lai" o" $i#ea(a, ($e"e p"o$ibite# o" "eulate# #"us a"e use# in an, !o"m
o" a"e !oun#. Its e=istence >ma, be? p"ove# not onl, b, #i"ect evi#ence but ma, also be establis$e# b, p"oo! o! !acts an# ci"cumstances, inclu#in
evi#ence o! t$e ene"al "eputation o! t$e $ouse, o" its ene"al "eputation amon police o!!ice"s. -$e unco""obo"ate# testimon, o! accuse# .alpan
/a#0aalam a.1.a. *arpan t$at $e #i# not maintain an e=tension $ouse o" a "oom ($e"e #"u use"s ($o allee#l, bu, s$abu !"om $im in$ales o"
smo1es s$abu cannot p"evail ove" t$e testimonies o! /ocson, S8O+ /acastesantos, an# S8O+ )i"asol. 'e a#mitte# t$at $e is t$e o(ne" o! t$e
e=tension $ouse but $e allee# t$at t$e"e (e"e !ou" 344 occupants ($o "ente# t$at e=tension $ouse. 'e 1ne( t$e name o! onl, one o! t$e !ou"
occupants ($o a"e allee#l, !"om Colo, a ce"tain )omo,, t$e $usban#. Asi#e !"om bein unco""obo"ate#, .alpanHs testimon, (as not elabo"ate#
b, evi#ence as to ($en o" !o" $o( lon (as t$e e=tension $ouse "ente#, t$e amount o! "ental pai#, o" b, an, ot$e" #ocument s$o(in t$at t$e
e=tension $ouse (as in !act "ente#. -$e #e!ense o! #enial put up b, accuse# .alpan /a#0aalam a.1.a. :*arpan is a (ea1 #e!ense. Denial is t$e
(ea1est #e!ense an# cannot p"evail ove" t$e positive an# cateo"ical testimonies o! t$e p"osecution (itnesses. Denials, i! unsubstantiate# b, clea"
an# convincin evi#ence, a"e neative an# sel!*se"vin evi#ence ($ic$ #ese"ve no (ei$t in la( an# cannot be iven evi#entia", (ei$t ove" t$e
testimon, o! c"e#ible (itnesses ($o testi!, on a!!i"mative matte"s. As bet(een t$e positive #ecla"ation o! t$e p"osecution (itnesses an# t$e
neative statements o! t$e accuse#, t$e !o"me" #ese"ve mo"e c"e#ence.%
29
In conclusion, t$e t"ial cou"t e=plaine# appellantHs liabilit, in t$is manne"<
%= = =. -$e act o! t$e accuse# in !i"in an )+4 "i!le to t$e policemen ($o (e"e about to ente" $is $ouse to se"ve a sea"c$ (a""ant constitutes t$e
c"ime o! #i"ect assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#e>,? not multiple attempte# mu"#e" (it$ #i"ect assault>,? consi#e"in t$at no policeman (as $it
an# in0u"e# b, t$e accuse# an# no ci"cumstance (as p"ove# to @uali!, t$e attempte# 1illin to attempte# mu"#e".
%-$e accuse# .alpan /a#0aalam a.1.a. ;*arpan cannot be $el# liable >!o"? t$e c"ime o! Fiolation o! Section +7, A"ticle III, in "elation to Section 2+,
A"ticle IF, o! Republic Act 742: ot$e"(ise 1no(n as t$e Dane"ous D"us Act o! +992, as amen#e#, because t$e !i!t, 3:B4 pieces o! !ol#e#
aluminum !oils $avin a total (ei$t o! +.2427 "ams all containin met$amp$etamine $,#"oc$lo"i#e o" s$abu allee#l, !oun# in $is $ouse a"e
ina#missible as evi#ence aainst $im consi#e"in t$at t$e, (e"e seize# a!te" >a? sea"c$ con#ucte# b, vi"tue o! Sea"c$ .a""ant No. 2B ($ic$ is
totall, null an# voi# as it (as issue# !o" mo"e t$an one o!!ense, an# (e"e not !oun# in ;plain "iew o! t$e police o!!ice"s ($o seize# t$em. Neit$e"
coul# t$e accuse# be $el# liable !o" illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms an# ammunition e=cept !o" t$e 3+4 )+4 "i!le (it$ Se"ial Numbe" +:::22: an# (it$
maazine containin !i!teen 3+:4 live ammunition an# t(o mo"e )+4 "i!le maazines (it$ t(ent, 32B4 an# t(ent,*one 32+4 live ammunition
"espectivel, consi#e"in t$at t$e policemen ($o "ecove"e# o" seize# t$e ot$e" !i"ea"ms an# ammunition #i# not testi!, in cou"t. -$e blue ba
containin asso"te# coins cannot be "etu"ne# to t$e accuse# .alpan /a#0aalam a.1.a. ;*arpan because acco"#in to t$e accuse# t$e blue ba
an# asso"te# coins #o not belon to $im>A? instea# t$e sai# asso"te# coins s$oul# be tu"ne# ove" to t$e National -"easu",.%
;B
-$e Issues
In $is 6"ie!, appellant submits t$e !ollo(in Assinment o! E""o"s<
I
%-$e t"ial cou"t e""e# ($en it conclu#e# t$at appellant .alpan /a#0aalam , )i$a0il >$a#? !i"e# !i"st at t$e police o!!ice"s ($o (ent to $is $ouse to
se"ve a sea"c$ (a""ant upon $im ($ic$ le# to an e=c$ane o! !i"e bet(een /a#0aalam an# t$e police o!!ice".
II
%-$e t"ial cou"t e""e# ($en it #enie# t$e appellant t$e "i$t an# oppo"tunit, !o" an ocula" inspection o! t$e scene o! t$e !i"e!i$t an# ($e"e t$e $ouse
o! t$e appellant >(as? locate#.
III
%-$e t"ial cou"t e""e# ($en it "ule# t$at t$e p"esumption o! "eula"it, in t$e pe"!o"mance o! t$ei" #uties >e=clu#e#? t$e claim o! t$e appellant t$at t$e
!i"ea"ms an# met$amp$etamine $,#"oc$lo"i#e 3i.e. s$abu4 (e"e plante# b, t$e police.%
;+
In t$e inte"est o! simplicit,, (e s$all ta1e up t$ese issues seriatim< 3a4 #enial o! t$e "e@uest !o" ocula" inspection, 3b4 c"e#ibilit, o! t$e p"osecution
(itnesses, an# 3c4 t$e #e!ense o! !"ame*up. In a##ition, (e s$all also #iscuss t$e p"ope" c"imes an# penalties to be impose# on appellant.
-$e Cou"tHs Rulin
-$e appeal $as no me"it.
&i"st Issue< Denial of <e8uest for =cular Inspection
Appellant insists t$at t$e t"ial cou"t e""e# in #en,in $is "e@uest !o" an ocula" inspection o! t$e /a#0aalam "esi#ence. 'e a"ues t$at an ocula"
inspection (oul# $ave a!!o"#e# t$e lo(e" cou"t %a bette" pe"spective an# an i#ea (it$ "espect to t$e scene o! t$e c"ime.%
;2
.e #o not a"ee.
.e !ail to see t$e nee# !o" an ocula" inspection in t$is case, especiall, in t$e li$t o! t$e clea" testimonies o! t$e p"osecution (itnesses.
;;
.e note in
pa"ticula" t$at t$e #e!ense $a# even "e@ueste# S8O+ Ama#o )i"asol C". to s1etc$ t$e sub0ect p"emises to ive t$e lo(e" cou"t a !ai"l, oo# i#ea o!
appellantHs $ouse.
;4
Fie(in t$e site o! t$e "ai# (oul# $ave onl, #ela,e# t$e p"ocee#ins.
;:
)o"eove", t$e @uestion ($et$e" to vie( t$e settin o! a
"elevant event $as lon been "econize# to be (it$in t$e #isc"etion o! t$e t"ial 0u#e.
;7
'e"e, t$e"e is no "eason to #istu"b t$e e=e"cise o! t$at
#isc"etion.
;2
Secon# Issue< ,rediility of Prosecution *itnesses
Appellant, in essence, @uestions t$e c"e#ibilit, o! t$e p"osecution (itnesses.
;8
Su!!ice it to state t$at t$e t"ial cou"tHs assessment o! t$ei" c"e#ibilit, is
ene"all, acco"#e# "espect, even !inalit,.
;9
A!te" ca"e!ull, e=aminin t$e "eco"#s an# !in#in no mate"ial inconsistencies to suppo"t appellantHs
claim, (e cannot e=empt t$is case !"om t$e ene"al "ule.
4B
Duite t$e cont"a",, t$e testimonies o! t$ese (itnesses positivel, s$o(e# t$at appellant
$a# !i"e# upon t$e app"oac$in police elements, an# t$at $e $a# subse@uentl, attempte# to escape. S8O+ Ama#o )i"asol C".
4+
testi!ie# t$us<
%8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
D< An#, t$is t"ail is to(a"#s t$e !"ont o! t$e $ouse o! t$e accuse#N
A< Oes.
D< An# itHs t$e"e ($e"e ,ou (e"e met b, a volle, o! !i"eN
A< Oes, Oou" 'ono".
COER-<
D< 'o( !a" (e"e ,ou !"om t$e conc"ete !en>c?e ($en ,ou (e"e met b, a volle, o! !i"eN ... Oou sai# ,ou (e"e !i"e# uponN
A< )o"e o" less, !ive 3:4 mete"s.
= = = = = = = = =
8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
D< No(, ,ou sai# ,ou (e"e able to ente" t$e $ouse a!te" t$e ate (as opene# b, ,ou" colleaue &elipe 9aantin ... I (ill "e!o"m t$at @uestion.
D< .$o opene# t$e ate )". .itnessN
A< S8O2 &elipe 9aantin, E!"en 9"eo"io an# Allan )a"cos Obut.
D< An#, at t$at time ,ou (e"e $i#in at t$e conc"ete !enceN
A< Oes.
D< No(, ($en t$is ate (as opene#, ,ou sai# ,ou (ent insi#e t$e $ouse, "i$tN
A< Oes.
D< .$at #i# ,ou see insi#e t$e $ouseN
A< I, toet$e" (it$ S8O+ Rica"#o /acastesantos, ente"e# t$e main #oo" o! t$e $ouse o! .al!"an >sic? /a#0aalam at t$e "oun# !loo". .e (ent insi#e
t$e sala on t$e "oun# !loo" o! $is $ouse>A? I sa( t(o ol# (oman.
= = = = = = = = =
8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
D< No(, ($at #i# ,ou #o (it$ t$ese t(o ol# (omenN
A< I #i# not min# t$ose t(o ol# (omen because t$ose t(o (omen (e"e sittin on t$e "oun# !loo". I (as concent"atin on t$e secon# !loo" because
/a#0aalam (as !i"in to(a"#s ou" "oup so, I, toet$e" (it$ Rica"#o /acastesantos, (ent upstai"s to t$e secon# !loo" o! t$e $ouse.
D< .e"e ,ou able to o to t$e secon# !loo" o! t$e $ouseN
A< Oes.
D< .$at $appene# ($en ,ou (e"e al"ea#, on t$e secon# !loo"N
A< .$ile (e (e"e p"ocee#in to t$e secon# !loo", .al!an >sic? /a#0aalam, notice# ou" p"esence an# imme#iatel, (ent insi#e t$e be#"oom >o?n t$e
secon# !loo" an# $e (ent imme#iatel, an# 0umpe# !"om t$e (in#o( o! $is $ouse = = = lea#in to t$e "oo! o! t$e nei$bo"Hs $ouse.
= = = = = = = = =
COER-<
Re!o"m. -$at is lea#in
D< .$at $appene# ($en ,ou ente"e# an# $e 0umpe# to t$e "oo!in o! t$e nei$bo"Hs $ouseN
A< Imme#iatel,, I m,sel!, (e imme#iatel, (ent #o(nstai"s an# as1e# t$e assistance o! t$e membe"s o! t$e "ai#in team to a""est .al!an /a#0aalam.
= = = = = = = = =
8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
D< .e"e ,ou able to o #o(nN
A< Oes.
D< .$at $appene# ($en ,ou (e"e t$e"eN
A< .e imme#iatel, (ent out an# I as1e# t$e assistance o! t$e membe"s o! t$e "ai#in team an# t$e investiato" o! t$e unit especiall, S8O+ Cesa"
Rabu,a. I (as able to manae to a""est .al!an /a#0aalam.%
42
.$at $appene# t$e"ea!te" (as na""ate# b, Senio" 8olice O!!ice" Rica"#o /acastesantos,
4;
as !ollo(s<
%D< .$at #i# ,ou notice >o?n t$e secon# !loo"N
A< I (ent ($e"e t$e !i"in came !"om, so, I sa( >an? )+4 "i!le an# I s$oute# !"om t$e outsi#e, G#o not !i"e at t$e secon# !loo" because t$e"e >a"e? a lot
o! c$il#"en $e"e.H
D< No(, t$at "i!le ,ou sai# >(as an? )+4, ($e"e #i# ,ou !in# t$isN
A< At t$e sala set.
D< -$is sala set ($e"e is t$is locate#N
A< /ocate# >on? t$e secon# !loo" o! t$e $ouse.
D< Is t$e"e a sala >o?n t$e secon# !loo"N
A< Oes.
D< Can ,ou still i#enti!, t$at )+4 "i!le ($ic$ ,ou sai# ,ou "ecove"e# !"om t$e sale setN
A< Oes.
D< .$, can ,ou i#enti!, t$atN
A< -$e Se"ial No. o! )+4 is +:::22: an# I ma"1e# it (it$ m, initial.
D< No(, I $ave $e"e )+4 "i!le>A? (ill ,ou please tell us ($e"e is t$e Se"ial No. o! t$isN
A< +:::22: an# I put m, initial, RC/.
&ISCA/ NEFA/<
-$is is al"ea#, ma"1e# as ou" E=$ibit G6*;H (it$ maazine, one maazine an# seven "oun# >ammunition?.
D< A!te" "ecove"in t$is, ($at #i# ,ou #o (it$ t$is !i"ea"mN
A< .$en I "ecove"e# it I "emove# t$e bullets insi#e t$e c$ambe">.? I "emove# t$e maazine an# I tu"ne# it ove" to t$e investiato".
D< .$e"e #i# ,ou tu"n it ove"N
A< At t$e c"ime scene.
D< No(, t$at maazine, can ,ou still i#enti!, t$isN
A< Oes.
D< .$,N
A< I put = = = ma"1ins.
= = = = = = = = =
COER-<
So, a>si?#e !"om t$e maazine attac$e# to t$e )+4 "i!le ,ou !oun# si= mo"e maazinesN
A< Oes, so, all in all si= maazines, t$"ee empt, )+7 "i!le maazines an# t$"ee )+4.
D< -$e )+7 maazines >(e"e? empt,N
A< Empt,.
D< 'o( about t$e )+4N
A< &oun# (it$ >ammunition?.
= = = = = = = = =
D< So, ($e"e a"e t$e t$"ee )+7 maazinesN
A< In t$e co"ne".
D< .$at #i# ,ou #o (it$ >t$ese? t$"ee maazines o! )+7N
A< I tu"ne# >t$em? ove" to t$e investiato".
D< Can ,ou i#enti!, t$emN
A< Oes, because o! m, initials>.?
D< .$e"e a"e ,ou" initialsN
A< On t$e maazines.
D< RC/N
A< RC/.%
44
-$ese (e"e con!i"me# b, t$e "esults o! t$e pa"a!!in tests con#ucte# on appellant an# on t$e (eapons seize# #u"in t$e "ai#. 6ot$ o! $is $an#s as
(ell as t$e (eapons, pa"ticula"l, t$e )*+4 ($ic$ $e $a# use#, (e"e positive !o" unpo(#e" nit"ate. 8olice Inspecto" )e"ce#es Del!in*Diest"o
e=plaine# in open cou"t<
%D< O1a,. No(, ($at (as t$e "esult o! ,ou" e=amination, )a#am .itnessN
A< -$e "esult o! t$e e=amination >(as? t$at bot$ $an#s o! t$e sub0ect pe"son, $a>#? p"esence o! un po(#e" nit"ates.
D< .$at #o ,ou mean )a#am .itness, ($at #oes t$at in#icateN
A< It in#icates t$e"e is p"esence o! po(#e" nit"ates.
>? ,an we conclude that he fired a gun@
A? I cannot conclude that he fired a gun ecause there are so many circumstances [why] a person [would e] positi"e on his hands for gun powder
nitrates.
D< 6ut, most li1el,, $e !i"e# a unN
A< Oes.
= = = = = = = = =
8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
D< .$at about, )a#am .itness t$is E=$ibit G6*;H, ($ic$ is t$e )+4 "i!le. .$at #i# ,ou #o (it$ t$isN
A< S8O; Abu #i# t$e s(abbin bot$ in t$e c$ambe" an# t$e ba""el ($e"ein I obse"ve# t$e"e >(e"e? blac1 an# t"aces o! b"o(n "esi#ue on t$e bolt,
c$ambe" an# in t$e ba""el.
D< An#, t$at in#icates )a#am .itness...N
A< It in#icates t$at t$e un (as !i"e#.
D< Recentl,N
A< 6ecause o! t$e t"aces o! b"o(n "esi#ue, it coul# be possible t$at t$e un (as !i"e# be!o"e t$e inci#ent = = =.
COER-<
D< -$e"e is also blac1 "esi#ueN
A< Oes.
D< .$at #oes it in#icateN
A< It in#icates t$at t$e !i"ea"m (as "ecentl, !i"e#.
D< An#, ($e"e is t$is s(ab use# at t$e time o! t$e s(abbin o! t$is E=$ibitN
A< -$is one.
8ROSECE-OR NEFA/<
)a, (e as1 t$at t$is be ma"1e# as E=$ibit G6*;*AH.
COER-<
D< -$e !i"in t$e"e in#icates t$at t$e un (as "ecentl, !i"e#, #u"in t$e inci#entN
A< Oes.
D< An# also be!o"e t$e inci#ent it (as !i"e# because o! t$e b"o(n "esi#ueN
A< Oes, Oou" 'ono".%
4:
3emp$asis supplie#4
Dul, p"oven !"om t$e !o"eoin (e"e t$e t(o elements
47
o! t$e c"ime o! illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms. En#oubte#l,, t$e establis$e# !act t$at
appellant $a# !i"e# an )*+4 "i!le upon t$e app"oac$in police o!!ice"s clea"l, s$o(e# t$e e=istence o! t$e !i"ea"m o" (eapon an# $is possession
t$e"eo!. Su!!icin to satis!, t$e secon# element (as t$e p"osecutionHs Ce"ti!ication
42
statin t$at $e $a# not !ile# an, application !o" license to
possess a !i"ea"m, an# t$at $e $a# not been iven aut$o"it, to ca"", an, outsi#e $is "esi#ence.
48
&u"t$e", it s$oul# be pointe# out t$at $is
possession an# use o! an )*+4 "i!le (e"e obviousl, unaut$o"ize# because t$is (eapon coul# not be license# in !avo" o!, o" ca""ie# b,, a p"ivate
in#ivi#ual.
49
-$i"# Issue< Defense of Arame2up
&"om t$e convolute# a"uments st"e(n be!o"e us b, appellant, (e at$e" t$at t$e main #e!ense $e "aises is !"ame*up. 'e claims t$at t$e items
seize# !"om $is $ouse (e"e %plante#,% an# t$at t$e enti"e 5amboana police !o"ce (as out to et $im at all cost.
-$is Cou"t $as inva"iabl, $el# t$at t$e #e!ense o! !"ame*up is in$e"entl, (ea1, since it is eas, to !ab"icate, but te""ibl, #i!!icult to #isp"ove.
:B
Absent
an, s$o(in o! an imp"ope" motive on t$e pa"t o! t$e police o!!ice"s,
:+
couple# (it$ t$e p"esumption o! "eula"it, in t$e pe"!o"mance o! t$ei" #ut,,
suc$ #e!ense cannot be iven muc$ c"e#ence.
:2
In#ee#, a!te" e=aminin t$e "eco"#s o! t$is case, (e conclu#e t$at appellant $as !aile# to
substantiate $is claim. On t$e cont"a",, $is statements in $is Counte" A!!i#avit a"e inconsistent (it$ $is testimon, #u"in t$e t"ial.
:;
'e testi!ie# t$us<
%D No(, )". .itness, #o ,ou "emembe" $avin e=ecute# an A!!i#avitI a Counte"*A!!i#avitN
A I coul# not "emembe".
D I $ave $e"e a Counte"*A!!i#avit an# it (as sine# be!o"e t$is "ep"esentation on t$e 8t$ #a, o! Decembe" +992>A? tell us ($ose sinatu"e is t$is
appea"in above t$e t,pe("itten name
&ISCA/ NEFA/<
D . . . . .alpan /a#0aalam, ($ose sinatu"e is t$isN
3S$o(in4
A Oes, Si". -$is is mine.
D No(, in pa"a"ap$>s? +,2,;,4,:,7,2 an# 8A ,ou state# in t$is Counte"*A!!i#avit ($ic$ I @uote< Gt$at I (as "estin an# sleepin ($en I $ea"# t$e
uns$ots an# I notice# t$at t$e s$ots (e"e #i"ecte# to(a"#s ou" $ouse.. an# I inspecte# an# = = = (e (e"e attac1e# b, a"me# pe"sons.. an# I (as
app"e$en#e# b, t$e pe"sons ($o attac1e# = = = ou" $ouseHA >t$e? $ouse ,ou a"e "e!e""in to >in? t$is pa"a"ap$, ($ose $ouse >a"e ,ou? "e!e""in to,
is t$is >($at? ,ou a"e "e!e""in to >as? ,ou" $ouse o" t$e $ouse o! ,ou" nei$bo"s >!"om? ($ic$ ,ou sai# ,ou $ea"# uns$otsN
A Ou" $ouse.
D No(, in pa"a"ap$ 7 o! ,ou" Counte"*A!!i#avit ,ou state# an# I @uote< Gt$at >o?n t$at a!te"noon o! Septembe" 24, +992, I (as at $ome in m, $ouse
Apla,a, Rio$on#o, 6o. Campo )uslim, m, companions in m, $ouse >(e"e? t$e t(o ol# (omen an# m, c$il#"en, is t$is co""ectN
A -$e, (e"e not t$e"e.
D No(, in t$at statement )". .itness, ,ou sai# t$at ,ou (e"e at $ome in >,ou"? $ouse at Apla,a, Rio$on#o, 6o. Campo )uslim>A? ($ic$ is ($ic$
no(, ,ou (e"e in ,ou" $ouse o" ,ou (e"e in ,ou" nei$bo"s>G? $ouse at t$at time ($en ,ou $ea"# uns$otsN
A I (as in t$e $ouse nea" m, $ouse.
D So, ,ou" statement pa"ticula"l, pa"a"ap$ 7 o! ,ou" Counte"*A!!i#avit t$at ,ou (e"e at $ome in >,ou"? $ouse at Apla,a Rio$on#o 6o. Campo
)uslim, is = = = not co""ectN
A Oes, Si". -$is is not co""ect.%
:4
C"ime an# 8unis$ment
-$e t"ial cou"t convicte# appellant o! t$"ee c"imes< 3+4 maintenance o! a #"u #en, 324 #i"ect assault (it$ attempte# $omici#e, an# 3;4 illeal
possession o! !i"ea"ms. .e (ill #iscuss eac$ o! t$ese.
6aintenance of a Drug Den
.e a"ee (it$ t$e t"ial cou"t t$at appellant (as uilt, o! maintenance o! a #"u #en, an o!!ense !o" ($ic$ $e (as co""ectl, sentence# to reclusion
perpetua. 'is uilt (as clea"l, establis$e# b, t$e testimon, o! 8"osecution .itness Rino 6a"tolome /ocson, ($o $imsel! $a# use# t$e e=tension
$ouse o! appellant as a #"u #en on seve"al occasions, inclu#in t$e time o! t$e "ai#. -$e !o"me"Hs testimon, (as co""obo"ate# b, all t$e "ai#in
police o!!ice"s ($o testi!ie# be!o"e t$e cou"t. -$at appellant #i# not #en, o(ne"s$ip o! t$e $ouse an# its e=tension lent c"e#ence to t$e
p"osecutionHs sto",.
Direct Assault with 6ultiple Attempted )omicide
-$e t"ial cou"t (as also co""ect in convictin appellant o! #i"ect assault
::
(it$ multiple counts o! attempte# $omici#e. It !oun# t$at %>t?$e act o! t$e
accuse# >o!? !i"in an )+4 "i!le >at? t$e policemen>,? ($o (e"e about to ente" $is $ouse to se"ve a sea"c$ (a""ant = = =% constitute# suc$ comple=
c"ime.
:7
.e note t$at #i"ect assault (it$ t$e use o! a (eapon ca""ies t$e penalt, o! prision correccional in its me#ium an# ma=imum pe"io#s, ($ile
attempte# $omici#e ca""ies t$e penalt, o! prision correccional.
:2
'ence, !o" t$e p"esent comple= c"ime, t$e penalt, !o" #i"ect assault, ($ic$
constitutes t$e %most se"ious c"ime,% s$oul# be impose# an# applie# in its ma=imum pe"io#.
:8
Illegal Possession of Airearms
Asi#e !"om !in#in appellant uilt, o! #i"ect assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#e, t$e t"ial cou"t convicte# $im also o! t$e sepa"ate o!!ense o!
illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms un#e" 8D +877, as amen#e# b, RA 8294, an# sentence# $im to 7 ,ea"s o! prision correccional to 8 ,ea"s o! prision
mayor.
-$e O!!ice o! t$e Solicito" 9ene"al 3OS94 #isa"ees, on t$e "oun# t$at t$e t"ial cou"t s$oul# not $ave applie# t$e ne( la(. It conten#s t$at un#e"
t$e !acts o! t$e case, t$e applicable la( s$oul# $ave been 8D +877, as (o"#e# p"io" to its amen#ment b, RA 8294.
-$e t"ial cou"tHs "ulin an# t$e OS9Hs submission e=empli!, t$e leal communit,Hs #i!!icult, in "applin (it$ t$e c$anes b"ou$t about b, RA
8294. 'ence, be!o"e us no( a"e opposin vie(s on $o( to inte"p"et Section + o! t$e ne( la(, ($ic$ p"ovi#es as !ollo(s<
%SEC-ION +. Section + o! 8"esi#ential Dec"ee No. +877, as amen#e#, is $e"eb, !u"t$e" amen#e# to "ea# as !ollo(s<
%Section +. 0nlawful 6anufacture# 'ale# Ac8uisition# Disposition or Possession of Airearms or Ammunition Instruments 0sed or Intended to e
0sed in the 6anufacture of Airearms or Ammunition. ** -$e penalt, o! prision correccional in its ma=imum pe"io# an# a !ine o! not less t$an &i!teen
t$ousan# pesos 38+:,BBB4 s$all be impose# upon an, pe"son ($o s$all unla(!ull, manu!actu"e, #eal in, ac@ui"e, #ispose, o" possess an, lo(
po(e"e# !i"ea"m, suc$ as "im!i"e $an#un, .;8B o" .;2 an# ot$e" !i"ea"m o! simila" !i"epo(e", pa"t o! !i"ea"m, ammunition, o" mac$ine",, tool o"
inst"ument use# o" inten#e# to be use# in t$e manu!actu"e o! an, !i"ea"m o" ammunition< Pro"ided# -$at no ot$e" c"ime (as committe#.
%-$e penalt, o! prision mayor in its minimum pe"io# an# a !ine o! -$i"t, t$ousan# pesos 38;B,BBB4 s$all be impose# i! t$e !i"ea"m is classi!ie# as
$i$ po(e"e# !i"ea"m ($ic$ inclu#es t$ose (it$ bo"es bie" in #iamete" t$an .;B calibe" an# 9 millimete" suc$ as calibe" .4B, .4+, .44, .4: an# also
lesse" calibe"e# !i"ea"ms but consi#e"e# po(e"!ul suc$ as calibe" .;:2 an# calibe" .22 cente"!i"e manum an# ot$e" !i"ea"ms (it$ !i"in capabilit, o!
!ull automatic an# b, bu"st o! t(o o" t$"ee<Pro"ided# howe"er# -$at no ot$e" c"ime (as committe# b, t$e pe"son a""este#.
%I! $omici#e o" mu"#e" is committe# (it$ t$e use o! an unlicense# !i"ea"m, suc$ use o! an unlicense# !i"ea"m s$all be consi#e"e# as an a"avatin
ci"cumstance.
%I! t$e violation o! t$is Section is in !u"t$e"ance o! o" inci#ent to, o" in connection (it$ t$e c"ime o! "ebellion o" insu""ection, se#ition, o"
attempte# coup detat# suc$ violation s$all be abso"be# as an element o! t$e c"ime o! "ebellion o" insu""ection, se#ition, o" attempte# coup detat.
%-$e same penalt, s$all be impose# upon t$e o(ne", p"esi#ent, manae", #i"ecto" o" ot$e" "esponsible o!!ice" o! an, public o" p"ivate !i"m,
compan,, co"po"ation o" entit,, ($o s$all (ill!ull, o" 1no(inl, allo( an, o! t$e !i"ea"ms o(ne# b, suc$ !i"m, compan,, co"po"ation o" entit, to be
use# b, an, pe"son o" pe"sons !oun# uilt, o! violatin t$e p"ovisions o! t$e p"ece#in pa"a"ap$s o" (ill!ull, o" 1no(inl, allo( an, o! t$em to use
unlicense# !i"ea"ms o" !i"ea"ms (it$out an, leal aut$o"it, to be ca""ie# outsi#e o! t$ei" "esi#ence in t$e cou"se o! t$ei" emplo,ment.
%-$e penalt, o! arresto mayor s$all be impose# upon an, pe"son ($o s$all ca"", an, license# !i"ea"m outsi#e $is "esi#ence (it$out leal aut$o"it,
t$e"e!o".%
Citin People ". Bayson#
:9
t$e OS9 a"ues t$at t$e !o"eoin p"ovision #oes not cove" t$e speci!ic !acts o! t$is case. Since anot$e" c"ime ** #i"ect
assault (it$ multiple unla(!ul $omici#e ** (as committe#, appellant cannot be convicte# o! simple illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms un#e" t$e secon#
pa"a"ap$ o! t$e a!o"ecite# p"ovision. &u"t$e"mo"e, since t$e"e (as no 1illin in t$is case, illeal possession cannot be #eeme# as an a"avatin
ci"cumstance un#e" t$e t$i"# pa"a"ap$ o! t$e p"ovision. 6ase# on t$ese p"emises, t$e OS9 conclu#es t$at t$e applicable la( is not RA 8294, but
8D +877 ($ic$, as (o"#e# p"io" t$e ne( la(, penalizes simple illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms even i! anot$e" c"ime is committe# at t$e same time.
7B
Appl,in a #i!!e"ent inte"p"etation, t$e t"ial cou"t posits t$at appellant s$oul# be convicte# o! illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms, in a##ition to #i"ect
assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#e. It #i# not e=plain its "ulin, $o(eve". Consi#e"in t$at it coul# not $ave been ino"ant o! t$e pro"iso
7+
in
t$e secon# pa"a"ap$, it seeme# to $ave const"ue# %no ot$e" c"ime% as "e!e""in onl, to $omici#e an# mu"#e", in bot$ o! ($ic$ illeal possession o!
!i"ea"ms is an a"avatin ci"cumstance. In ot$e" (o"#s, i! a c"ime ot$e" t$an mu"#e" o" $omici#e is committe#, a pe"son ma, still be convicte# o!
illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms. In t$is case, t$e ot$e" c"ime committe# (as #i"ect assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#eA $ence, t$e t"ial cou"t
!oun# appellant uilt, o! illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms.
.e cannot accept eit$e" o! t$ese inte"p"etations because t$e, ino"e t$e plain lanuae o! t$e statute. A simple "ea#in t$e"eo! s$o(s t$at i! an
unlicense# !i"ea"m is use# in t$e commission o! an, c"ime, t$e"e can be no sepa"ate o!!ense o! simple illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms. 'ence, i! t$e
%ot$e" c"ime% is mu"#e" o" $omici#e, illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms becomes me"el, an a"avatin ci"cumstance, not a sepa"ate o!!ense. Since
#i"ect assault (it$ multiple attempte# $omici#e (as committe# in t$is case, appellant can no lone" be $el# liable !o" illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms.
)o"eove", penal la(s a"e const"ue# libe"all, in !avo" o! t$e accuse#.
72
In t$is case, t$e plain meanin o! RA 8294Hs simple lanuae is most
!avo"able to $e"ein appellant. Fe"il,, no ot$e" inte"p"etation is 0usti!ie#, !o" t$e lanuae o! t$e ne( la( #emonst"ates t$e leislative intent to !avo"
t$e accuse#.
7;
Acco"#inl,, appellant cannot be convicte# o! t(o sepa"ate o!!enses o! illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms an# #i"ect assault (it$
attempte# $omici#e. )o"eove", since t$e c"ime committe# (as #i"ect assault an# not $omici#e o" mu"#e", illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms cannot be
#eeme# an a"avatin ci"cumstance.
.e "e0ect t$e OS9Hs contention t$at 8D +877, as (o"#e# p"io" to its amen#ment b, RA 8294, s$oul# be applie# in t$is case.3Cwphi3 .$en t$e
c"ime (as committe# on Septembe" 24, +992, t$e o"iinal lanuae o! 8D +877 $a# al"ea#, been e=p"essl, supe"se#e# b, RA 8294 ($ic$ too1
e!!ect on Cul, 7, +992.
74
In ot$e" (o"#s, no lone" in e=istence (as t$e ea"lie" p"ovision o! 8D +877, ($ic$ 0usti!ie# a conviction !o" illeal
possession o! !i"ea"ms sepa"ate !"om an, ot$e" c"ime. It (as "eplace# b, RA 8294 ($ic$, amon ot$e" amen#ments to 8D +877, containe# t$e
speci!ic pro"iso t$at %no ot$e" c"ime (as committe#.%
&u"t$e"mo"e, t$e OS9Hs "eliance on People ". Bayson
7:
is misplace#. -"ue, t$is Cou"t sustaine# t$e conviction o! appellant !o" illeal possession o!
!i"ea"ms, alt$ou$ $e $a# also committe# $omici#e. .e e=plaine#, $o(eve", t$at %t$e c"iminal case !o" $omici#e >(as? not be!o"e us !o"
consi#e"ation.%
Cust as unacceptable is t$e inte"p"etation o! t$e t"ial cou"t. .e !in# no 0usti!ication !o" limitin t$e pro"iso in t$e secon# pa"a"ap$ to mu"#e" an#
$omici#e. -$e la( is clea"< t$e accuse# can be convicte# o! simple illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms, p"ovi#e# t$at %no ot$e" c"ime (as committe# b,
t$e pe"son a""este#.% I! t$e intention o! t$e la( in t$e secon# pa"a"ap$ (e"e to "e!e" onl, to $omici#e an# mu"#e", it s$oul# $ave e=p"essl, sai# so,
as it #i# in t$e t$i"# pa"a"ap$. Fe"il,, ($e"e t$e la( #oes not #istinuis$, neit$e" s$oul# (e.
-$e Cou"t is a(a"e t$at t$is "ulin e!!ectivel, e=one"ates appellant o! illeal possession o! an )*+4 "i!le, an o!!ense ($ic$ no"mall, ca""ies a penalt,
$eavie" t$an t$at !o" #i"ect assault. .$ile t$e penalt, !o" t$e !i"st is prision mayor, !o" t$e secon# it is onl, prision correccional. In#ee#, t$e accuse#
ma, eva#e conviction !o" illeal possession o! !i"ea"ms b, usin suc$ (eapons in committin an even li$te" o!!ense,
77
li1e ala"m an# scan#al
72
o"
sli$t p$,sical in0u"ies,
78
bot$ o! ($ic$ a"e punis$able b, arresto menor.
79
-$is conse@uence, $o(eve", necessa"il, a"ises !"om t$e lanuae o! RA
8294, ($ose (is#om is not sub0ect to t$e Cou"tHs "evie(. An, pe"ception t$at t$e "esult "eac$e# $e"e appea"s un(ise s$oul# be a##"esse# to
Con"ess. In#ee#, t$e Cou"t $as no #isc"etion to ive statutes a ne( meanin #etac$e# !"om t$e mani!est inten#ment an# lanuae o! t$e
leislatu"e. Ou" tas1 is constitutionall, con!ine# onl, to appl,in t$e la( an# 0u"isp"u#ence
2B
to t$e p"oven !acts, an# (e $ave #one so in t$is case.
!HEREFORE, t$e appeale# Decision is $e"eb, AAAI<6-D (it$ t$e 6=DIAI,A(I=D t$at appellant is !oun# uilt, onl, o! t(o o!!enses< 3+4 #i"ect
assault an# multiple attempte# $omici#e (it$ t$e use o! a (eapon, !o" ($ic$ $e is sentence# to 2 ,ea"s an# 4 mont$s to 7 ,ea"s o! prision
correccionalA an# 324 maintainin a #"u #en, !o" ($ic$ $e (as co""ectl, sentence# b, t$e t"ial cou"t to reclusion perpetua. Costs aainst appellant.
/et a cop, o! t$is Decision be !u"nis$e# t$e Con"ess o! t$e 8$ilippines !o" a possible "evie(, at its soun# #isc"etion, o! RA 8294.
SO ORDERED.
)elo, 3C$ai"man4, Fitu, 8u"isima, an# 9onzaa*Re,es, CC., concu".