G.R. No. L-1225; December 17, 1947
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. PIO ANULAT, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

The defendant-appellant, Pio Anulat, a Filipino citizen, was convicted of treason by the People’s Court. The conviction was based on two counts. Under count 1, it was established that on July 8, 1943, Anulat, accompanied by two Japanese soldiers, entered a building in Biñan, Laguna, and at gunpoint arrested Amado de Ocampo, a member of the local ROTC guerrilla unit. Ocampo was taken to a Japanese garrison and was never seen again. Under count 2, evidence showed that in December 1944, Anulat helped organize and headed a Makapili unit in Biñan, collaborating with Japanese forces by conducting military drills, leading patrols to arrest guerrilla suspects, and confiscating supplies from civilians. When American liberation forces approached, he retreated with Japanese troops to the mountains.

ISSUE

Whether the People’s Court correctly convicted Pio Anulat of the crime of treason based on the evidence presented.

RULING

Yes, the conviction is affirmed. The Supreme Court found that the elements of treason were satisfied, with the two-witness rule complied with regarding the overt acts. The evidence for count 1 (the arrest of Amado de Ocampo) was sufficient to establish guilt. The defense failed to show any error in the judgment. The penalty imposed by the lower court—reclusion perpetua, a fine of P10,000, plus costs—was upheld. Justice Perfecto, in a separate opinion, concurred only with the conviction under count 1, finding insufficient evidence for count 2, but agreed that the sentence was justified based on count 1 alone.

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