GR L 1513; (June, 1949) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-1513; June 24, 1949
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. AKAI, AMOL and HADJIROL, defendants-appellants.
FACTS
On the evening of May 12, 1946, in Sipanding, Siasi, Sulu, appellants Akai, Amol, and Hadjirol, along with six unidentified armed companions, attacked the house of Asaali Asani by opening fire. The occupants were wounded, except a 12-year-old girl. The assailants entered the house, stole jewelry and livestock, and then set the house on fire, resulting in the deaths of Moro Asani and Mora Basan, who were trapped inside. The surviving victims, hiding nearby, recognized the appellants due to the bright moonlight and the fire’s glare. Three days later, Asaali Asani reported the crime to Lt. Paraji Usman and identified the appellants. The defense, led by Concejal Joe Moro (a relative of the appellants), claimed the appellants had gone to help the victims and denied involvement, but the trial court found the prosecution witnesses credible.
ISSUE
Whether the trial court correctly convicted the appellants of the complex crime of robbery with homicide, physical injuries, and arson.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the appellants committed robbery with homicide, physical injuries, and arson. The Court upheld the trial court’s assessment of witness credibility, finding the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies consistent and reliable, while rejecting the defense’s version as improbable. The penalty for the complex crime is reclusion perpetua to death. The aggravating circumstances of nocturnity and dwelling were present, but the mitigating circumstance of lack of instruction offset the aggravating circumstance of band. Due to insufficient votes for the death penalty, the Court imposed reclusion perpetua. The appellants were also ordered to indemnify the heirs of the deceased and Asaali Asani for the stolen property.
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