G.R. No. 199100, July 18, 2014
People of the Philippines, Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. Rosendo Amaro, Accused-Appellant.

FACTS

On March 26, 1998, accused-appellant Rosendo Amaro was charged with the complex crime of forcible abduction with rape. The information alleged that he abducted AAA, a seven-year-old girl, by means of deceit, force, and intimidation, detained her for several days, and had carnal knowledge of her against her will. AAA testified that while walking home from school, Amaro asked her to buy cigarettes, gave her bread and banana cue, after which she felt dizzy and passed out. She regained consciousness in his house, where he undressed her and inserted his penis into her vagina, causing pain. She was detained for six days and raped five times. AAA’s mother, BBB, corroborated her daughter’s disappearance and subsequent discovery. The medical examination revealed a laceration on AAA’s introitus. Amaro denied the charges, claiming AAA voluntarily went with him because she was being scolded by her parents, and he entrusted her to another person’s care while he worked.

ISSUE

Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused for the crime of forcible abduction with rape beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The prosecution established all elements of forcible abduction (taking of a woman against her will with lewd designs) and rape (carnal knowledge of a child under twelve). AAA’s credible and straightforward testimony, corroborated by medical findings, proved the crimes. The Court found that the abduction, facilitated by deception given AAA’s tender age, was a necessary means to commit rape, constituting a complex crime. The defenses of denial and alibi were rejected as weak and unsupported. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed. The Court modified the damages, ordering Amaro to pay AAA ₱100,000.00 each as civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages, with 6% interest per annum from the finality of the judgment until fully paid.