G.R. No. 1285 : August 31, 1903
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. PEDRO LARION, defendant-appellant.

FACTS:
On August 8, 1902, a band of over thirty armed men, known as pulajanes, led by Augusto Ygvia and Antonio Caling, invaded the barrio of Manunca in Santa Rita. They killed seven inhabitants: Santiago Angel, Rafael Espino, Bautista Cajida, Maria Somallo, Eugenio Luna, Lucia Luna, and Leines Ubis. The band also committed robbery and arson, burning nearly all the houses in the barrio.
Pedro Larion was identified as one of the assailants. Specifically, witnesses testified that Larion, along with Ygvia and two others, attacked the family of Abdon Luna, who had taken refuge on a boat anchored in the river. Larion stabbed Maria Somallo in the back with a lance while Ygvia struck her in the breast with a bolo, causing her death. The same group killed Luna’s children, Eugenio and Lucia. Larion was charged with murder along with Lopez Tabuac, but the latter was later discharged. Larion pleaded not guilty and presented an alibi, which was supported by testimonies from his relatives.

ISSUE:
Whether the guilt of Pedro Larion for the crime of murder has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING:
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court convicting Pedro Larion of murder. The Court found the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, who were eyewitnesses to the events, credible and sufficient to establish Larion’s direct participation in the killing of Maria Somallo and others. The defense of alibi was rejected due to the improbability of the witnesses’ statements, their relationship to the accused, and contradictory evidence.
The crime was qualified as murder due to the presence of alevosia (treachery) in the attack on Maria Somallo and her children, who were defenseless. The aggravating circumstances of cuadrilla (band) and deliberate premeditation were present, with no mitigating circumstances. Consequently, the penalty of death was imposed in its maximum degree. Larion was also ordered to indemnify the heirs of Maria Somallo and pay the costs of both instances.