G.R. No. 128512 & 128963; April 30, 2003
Dario P. Belonghilot, petitioner, vs. Regional Trial Court of Zamboanga del Norte, Branch 7, Hon. Jesus O. Angeles, respondent. / People of the Philippines, appellee, vs. Dario P. Belonghilot, Rino M. Castillo and Rolando T. Barcelonia, appellants.

FACTS

In the early morning of February 11, 1994, Salvi Pasco was found dead near a beach in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte. She had been with a fishing group, and her husband Ely last saw her when she left to fetch a container. A search led to the discovery of her naked body, covered with coconut leaves, bearing injuries. The post-mortem examination revealed sperm cells in her vagina and the cause of death as asphyxia due to submersion in water. The initial police investigation led to the arrest of Rolando Barcelonia, while Dario Belonghilot and Rino Castillo were used as state witnesses.
Dissatisfied, Ely sought the NBI’s help. The NBI investigation implicated all three—Belonghilot, Castillo, and Barcelonia—leading to their prosecution for Rape with Homicide. Witnesses placed the appellants at the scene, noted they were drunk, and testified that Belonghilot and Castillo were seen following Salvi and later returning with wet clothes. The prosecution presented evidence, including sworn statements from the appellants given to the NBI, which detailed their collective actions in raping and killing the victim.

ISSUE

The core issue is whether the guilt of appellants Dario Belonghilot, Rino Castillo, and Rolando Barcelonia for the crime of Rape with Homicide was proven beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The legal logic rests on the credibility and corroboration of the appellants’ extrajudicial confessions. While the appellants repudiated their NBI statements, claiming coercion, the Court found the confessions voluntary, detailed, and corroborated by physical evidence. The medical findings of sperm cells and asphyxia aligned with the narrative of rape and drowning described in the confessions. Furthermore, circumstantial evidence—such as witnesses seeing appellants follow the victim and their sudden change to wet clothing—constituted an unbroken chain leading to the reasonable conclusion of their guilt.
The Court emphasized that the detailed, spontaneous, and corroborated nature of the confessions rendered them credible. The defense of alibi was weak and could not prevail over the positive identification and evidence presented. Finding conspiracy in the execution of the crime, all appellants were held equally liable. The penalty of death was affirmed, but due to the prohibition of the death penalty under Republic Act No. 9346, it was reduced to reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole. Civil indemnities were also awarded to the victim’s heirs.