GR 121828; (June, 2003) (Digest)
G.R. No. 121828; June 27, 2003
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, vs. EDMAR AGUILOS, ODILON LAGLIBA Y ABREGON and RENE GAYOT PILOLA, accused, RENE GAYOT PILOLA, Appellant.
FACTS
On February 5, 1988, Joselito Capa and Julian Azul, Jr. were drinking at a store in Mandaluyong. They were joined by accused Edmar Aguilos and Odilon Lagliba. A heated argument ensued between Edmar and Julian, leading to a fistfight outside. Joselito attempted to intervene. Odilon, perched on hollow blocks, saw this, stepped down, placed an arm around Joselito’s neck, and stabbed him. Appellant Rene Gayot Pilola and another cohort, Ronnie Diamante, who were watching from across the street, then rushed to the scene, pulled out their knives, and joined Odilon in stabbing Joselito. The victim fell into a canal. Ronnie further bashed Joselito’s head with a hollow block and a broken bottle, causing his death.
Appellant Rene Gayot Pilola was charged with murder. After his co-accused Odilon Lagliba was convicted, appellant was arrested, arraigned, and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented eyewitness Elisa Rolan and the victim’s companion, Julian Azul, Jr., who both identified appellant as one of the assailants who stabbed the victim.
ISSUE
Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that appellant Rene Gayot Pilola is guilty of murder, qualified by treachery and in conspiracy with his co-accused.
RULING
Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed appellant’s conviction for murder. The Court found the testimonies of prosecution witnesses Elisa Rolan and Julian Azul, Jr. to be credible, consistent, and positive in identifying appellant as an active participant in the stabbing. The defense of denial and alibi proffered by appellant was inherently weak and could not prevail over these positive identifications. The Court ruled that conspiracy was sufficiently established. The acts of Odilon Lagliba in initially stabbing the victim, and the immediate joining of appellant and Ronnie Diamante in the attack, demonstrated a unity of purpose and a concerted effort to kill Joselito Capa. When conspiracy is proven, the act of one is the act of all.
Furthermore, the killing was qualified by treachery. The attack was sudden and unexpected, giving the unarmed victim no opportunity to defend himself. The autopsy report showing multiple stab and hack wounds, including fatal wounds to the heart and lungs, corroborated the violent and concerted nature of the assault. The Court modified the damages awarded by the trial court, increasing civil indemnity to ₱50,000.00 and awarding ₱50,000.00 as moral damages and ₱25,000.00 as exemplary damages. The penalty of reclusion perpetua was affirmed.