G.R. No. 1548 , February 11, 1904
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. PAULINO GARCIA, ET AL., defendants-appellants.

FACTS:
The defendants were undisputed members of the armed band led by Valeriano Gasic. This band, consisting of thirty-five men all armed with guns, was based in the mountains. The band assaulted the town of Naujan, where they seized and carried off seven inhabitants, four of whom were later killed. During this assault, the band carried away from a public building a trunk containing money, which was subsequently divided among the members at their camp. Furthermore, members of the band were given orders to go from their camp to specified locations to seize palay (rice).

ISSUE:
Whether the acts committed by the defendants’ band constitute the crime of robbery under the relevant law.

RULING:
Yes. The Supreme Court found that the evidence established that robbery was committed, contrary to the defendants’ claim. The band’s actionsspecifically, the forcible taking of money from a public building and the seizure of palayconstituted robbery. The band, by its size, armament, and operations, fell within the definition under Section 1 of Act No. 518 . Accordingly, the Court affirmed the judgment of the court below, imposing the penalty of life imprisonment upon the appellants, with costs.