GR L 27852; (November, 1968) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-27852 November 29, 1968
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Eddie Buenbrazo, defendant-appellant.
FACTS
Appellant Eddie Buenbrazo was charged with murder for the death of Simplicio Talaroc, who died from a stab wound inflicted on November 27, 1965, at the wharf area of Ozamiz City. Appellant admitted to stabbing the deceased but claimed he acted in self-defense. According to appellant, prior to the incident, Talaroc had asked him for a drink and became upset when refused. On the evening of November 27, Talaroc allegedly went to the wharf, rushed toward appellant with a hunting knife, and attempted to stab him. Appellant claimed he parried the attack, disarmed Talaroc, picked up the knife, and stabbed Talaroc in the left arm during a struggle to defend himself, after which he fled. The prosecution presented witnesses who testified that appellant, accompanied by Sulpicio Torino, approached Talaroc and others conversing at the wharf. Torino placed his arm around Talaroc’s shoulders, and suddenly appellant stabbed Talaroc with a hunting knife, hitting his left breast. Talaroc ran to the PC headquarters and was taken to the hospital, where he gave a dying declaration. The trial court convicted appellant of murder, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and ordering him to indemnify the heirs of Talaroc.
ISSUE
Whether the appellant acted in self-defense when he stabbed the deceased, Simplicio Talaroc.
RULING
The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision, rejecting the claim of self-defense. The Court held that appellant failed to prove the elements of self-defense, as it was incumbent upon him to establish all necessary facts. The trial court found the prosecution’s version credible, noting that appellant suffered no injuries, which contradicted his claim of being attacked first by an armed assailant. The Court agreed with the lower court’s conclusion that appellant was guilty of murder. The decision was affirmed, with the modification that the indemnity to the heirs of the deceased was increased from P6,000 to P12,000. The bail granted to appellant was set aside, and the bail bond was disapproved.