G.R. No. L-1192, December 19, 1904
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. LORENZO CASTRO, ET AL., defendants-appellants.

FACTS:
On the night of June 22, 1902, a robbery was committed by a gang of five armed men in a camarin (warehouse) in Bangildapo, Lubao, Pampanga, owned by Mauricio L. de la Cruz. The robbers broke into the warehouse, used force and intimidation, and stole sugar, other goods valued at 17 pesos and 40 centavos, and a carabao worth about 30 pesos (which was later recovered). Eyewitnesses Fabian Diua and Victor Maris, who were inside the camarin during the robbery, identified the accused. Of the five original accused, Eugenio Lingad and Felix Morales died during the proceedings. The surviving accusedLorenzo Castro alias Proceso, Melencio Jimenez, and Juan Lingadpleaded not guilty. The defense presented witnesses to establish an alibi, but their testimonies were found imprecise and referred to the night following the robbery.

ISSUE:
Whether the guilt of the accused for the crime of robbery en cuadrilla (committed by a band) has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING:
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s judgment. The positive and consistent testimonies of the eyewitnesses, who recognized the accused as their neighbors, the recovery of the stolen carabao near the house of one accused, and the weakness of the alibi defense (which was not duly justified and lacked clarity) constituted conclusive proof of the accused’s guilt. The aggravating circumstance of nocturnity was present, with no mitigating circumstances. Accordingly, each surviving accused was sentenced to nine years of presidio mayor, with the accessory penalties under Article 57 of the Penal Code, restitution of the stolen goods or payment of their value, and a proportionate share of the costs. The case against the deceased accused was dismissed.