G.R. No. L-4663
THE UNITED STATES vs. PEDRO CABOLA, ET AL.
October 9, 1909

FACTS:
In August 1907, in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Pedro Cabola, along with other individuals including appellants Celedonio Ramos and Inocencio Torio, organized a Katipunan Society through a pacto de sangre. The society’s objective was the destruction by force of the Government of the United States in the Philippine Islands and the establishment of a new military government, with Cabola as its supreme head and other members, including the appellants, holding various military ranks. The Province of Pangasinan was to be divided into six military districts under this new government.

Evidence presented showed the existence of this seditious society and its revolutionary purposes. Most defendants attended meetings where Pedro Cabola made revolutionary and seditious speeches, and many signed seditious documents aimed at overthrowing the US government. Many were also found in possession of commissions from Cabola appointing them officers in his military organization, and several confessed their guilt.

Specifically, appellant Celedonio Ramos was present at an August 23, 1907 meeting in Taloctoc where Pedro Cabola delivered an inflammatory speech, and a resolution was made to construct a shelter for 25,000 soldiers who would be furnished with guns and ammunition, allegedly landed by the Japanese. Ramos was also elected military president of the pueblo of Lingayen at another society meeting.

Appellant Inocencio Torio was a member of the Katipunan Society, aware of its seditious and revolutionary character. He was present at the same August 23, 1907 Taloctoc meeting where Cabola gave the seditious discourse, held the rank of captain in the organization, and signed Exhibit A-4, a document admitted to be revolutionary and seditious.

The defendants were charged with violating Section 4 of Act No. 292 of the Philippine Commission, which punishes those who conspire to destroy the Government of the United States in the Philippine Islands. The Court of First Instance of Pangasinan found most defendants, including Ramos and Torio, guilty and sentenced them to various terms of imprisonment. Only Celedonio Ramos and Inocencio Torio appealed the judgment.

ISSUE:
Are appellants Celedonio Ramos and Inocencio Torio guilty of conspiracy to destroy the Government of the United States under Section 4 of Act No. 292 of the Philippine Commission?

RULING:
Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction.

The Court held that a careful reading of the proofs adduced at the trial irresistibly led to the conclusion that the appellants were guilty of the crime charged. The evidence clearly and indubitably showed the existence of the Katipunan Society, its seditious and revolutionary character and purposes, and the active participation and involvement of both Celedonio Ramos and Inocencio Torio in the organization, its meetings, and its objectives, as detailed by their specific actions (e.g., presence at seditious meetings, holding military ranks, signing revolutionary documents).

Therefore, the judgment of the lower court was affirmed, with costs against the appellants.