G.R. No. 147348 , September 24, 2002
People of the Philippines, Appellee, vs. Michael Sy alias Michael/Daniel, Appellant.

FACTS

Acting on a tip, the Valenzuela Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a buy-bust operation on July 19, 2000, resulting in the arrest of spouses Reynaldo and Maritess Santos for selling shabu. During investigation, Maritess Santos volunteered to help apprehend her supplier, appellant Michael Sy. She contacted Sy, and they agreed to meet the next day in front of Our Lady of Grace Church in Caloocan City to remit proceeds from the drug sale. A police team orchestrated an entrapment. On July 20, 2000, Maritess, accompanied by PO2 Exequiel Sangco, met Sy. After Maritess showed the “show money,” Sy retrieved a plastic bag containing shabu from his car’s glove compartment. Sangco then signaled and arrested Sy, seizing the plastic bag. Forensic examination confirmed the substance was 246.29 grams of Methylamphetamine hydrochloride. The prosecution charged Sy with illegal possession of a regulated drug under Section 16, Article III of R.A. 6425. Sy denied the accusation, claiming he was framed. He testified he was at the meeting place to collect money from Maritess for his boss, Jose Sy, and was suddenly arrested by policemen who robbed him of cash and jewelry.

ISSUE

The core issue is one of credibility: whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that appellant Michael Sy was lawfully apprehended for illegal possession of dangerous drugs, or whether his defense of frame-up and denial should prevail.

RULING

The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision, finding appellant Michael Sy guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The Court upheld the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, particularly the police officers involved in the entrapment, and found their testimonies consistent and corroborated by physical evidence. The defense of frame-up was rejected as unsubstantiated and a common ploy in drug cases. The Court ruled that the arrest was lawful, and the chain of custody of the seized drugs was properly established. The quantity of shabu (246.29 grams) being over 200 grams warranted the imposition of reclusion perpetua under the law. The penalty imposed by the Regional Trial Court was affirmed: reclusion perpetua and a fine of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00), with the confiscated drugs forfeited in favor of the government. The Court also ordered the deportation of the appellant after service of sentence.