G.R. No. 1079 : July 19, 1903
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. EUSTAQUIO DALIGDIG, defendant-appellant.

FACTS:
The defendant-appellant, Eustaquio Daligdig, was a captain in the revolutionary forces. In February 1901, in the barrio of Manila, town of Langaran, Misamis, he and two of his men arrested two unknown persons. Daligdig ordered his soldiers to kill the prisoners, who were then stabbed to death. Placards reading “Traitor to the country” were placed on their bodies, which were left unburied for three days. Witnesses testified that the victims were killed because they were suspected of being traitors to the revolutionary cause. Daligdig was convicted of double murder and sentenced to death. During the appeal, a motion was filed seeking to include him within the amnesty granted by the Proclamation of July 4, 1902.

ISSUE:
Whether the defendant-appellant Eustaquio Daligdig is entitled to the amnesty provided under the Proclamation of July 4, 1902.

RULING:
Yes. The Supreme Court granted the motion and held that Daligdig is included within the amnesty. The Court found that the double murder was of a political character, committed while Daligdig was a captain in the revolutionary army in arms against the government, and was the result of internal political feuds, the sole motive being the belief that the victims were traitors to the revolutionary cause. The crimes were committed prior to May 1, 1902. In line with the political and humanitarian objectives of the amnesty proclamation, intended to blot out certain classes of offenses arising from the insurrection, the Court applied the amnesty. The lower court was directed to release Daligdig upon his taking the oath prescribed in the amnesty proclamation.