GR 97285; (June, 1995) (Digest)
G.R. No. 97285 June 16, 1995
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Cresenta Pija (at large), Nestor Alapan and Francisco Clavido, accused. Nestor Alapan and Francisco Clavido, accused-appellants.
FACTS
Accused-appellants Nestor Alapan and Francisco Clavido, along with Cresente Pija (at large), were charged with the murder of Renato Adecer. The prosecution’s evidence established that on February 4, 1990, Adecer and four companions were walking home after escorting Annelyn Poledo. They were ambushed near the San Isidro market. Eyewitnesses Nilo Madronero, Rodrigo Macas, and Vicente Idol testified that Pija initially hacked Adecer. Appellant Clavido then held the victim, while appellant Alapan repeatedly stabbed him. The witnesses, though shocked, remained at the scene until the attack concluded before fleeing.
The defense presented alibi, claiming they were elsewhere during the incident. They pointed to Pija as the sole perpetrator, supported by witnesses who claimed Pija acted alone and a barangay captain who testified that Pija surrendered the weapon and confessed. Appellants challenged the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, arguing it was unnatural for them to have witnessed the entire event without immediately running away.
ISSUE
Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of appellants Alapan and Clavido beyond reasonable doubt.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The Court upheld the trial court’s assessment of the credibility of the three eyewitnesses, whose testimonies were consistent, detailed, and positively identified both appellants as active participants. The Court deferred to the trial court’s unique opportunity to observe witness demeanor, finding no arbitrariness in its conclusion that the witnesses testified truthfully. The defense’s argument about the witnesses’ unnatural behavior was rejected, as there is no standard behavioral response to a startling event; shock can render one immobile.
The defense of alibi cannot prevail over the positive identification by credible witnesses. The attempt to pin the crime solely on the fugitive Pija was viewed with suspicion, as he was a convenient scapegoat. The manner of attack—where Clavido held the victim, rendering him defenseless, while Alapan stabbed him—constituted murder, qualified by abuse of superior strength. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed, with the civil indemnity increased to P50,000.00.