G.R. No. L-1485; August 30, 1949
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. PABLO DESLATE, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

Pablo Deslate, a Filipino citizen and member of the Japanese-organized Coastal Defense Corps (CDC), was convicted of treason by the People’s Court and sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine. The prosecution proved, through the required two-witness rule for treason cases, multiple overt acts. On March 31, 1944, Deslate, armed and with Japanese soldiers, arrested and investigated several civilians (Alejandro Calaliman, Primitiva Cabaluna, Jaime Cabaluna, Modesta, Dominador Camasuela, and Salustiano Camasuela) in Leon, Iloilo, on suspicion of guerrilla connections. He personally maltreated them and delivered them to the Japanese garrison where they were further tortured. Jaime Cabaluna and Modesta disappeared after being seen beaten. Similar arrests, maltreatment, and disappearances of other individuals (Angel Cantara, Julita Calanuga, Federico Cabino, and Juan Cabalsin) in May 1944 were also attributed to Deslate’s actions in concert with Japanese forces.

ISSUE

Whether the conviction of Pablo Deslate for the crime of treason is proper.

RULING

Yes, the conviction is affirmed. The evidence sufficiently established Deslate’s guilt for treason beyond reasonable doubt, complying with the two-witness rule. The acts of arresting, investigating, and maltreating Filipino civilians on suspicion of being guerrillas, done in conjunction with the Japanese military forces, constitute adherence to the enemy and betrayal of the Philippines. His defense of involuntary membership in the CDC was unconvincing, as he remained with the organization for over a year without attempting to escape. The penalty imposed by the lower court is in accordance with law.

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