GR L 1825; (May, 1949) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-1825; May 26, 1949
EL PUEBLO DE FILIPINAS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. EUGENIO BERSIDA, defendant-appellant.
FACTS
The accused-appellant Eugenio Bersida was convicted of treason by the Court of First Instance of Isabela and sentenced to reclusión perpetua. The charges stemmed from his actions as the head of the Makapili in Isabela during the Japanese occupation. The prosecution presented multiple charges detailing his collaboration with Japanese soldiers in the arrest, torture, and killing of suspected guerrillas and civilians. Specific incidents included: the mass bayoneting and disposal of bodies at Oriung, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya (Charge No. 1); torture via beating and water cure of Paulino Melchor and Luis Taclong (Charge No. 3); the arrest and extortion of money for the release of Frank Bender and others, who subsequently disappeared (Charge No. 4); the arrest and bayoneting of several guerrillas in Barrio Delinquente, Cordon, Isabela (Charge No. 5); the arrest, torture, and subsequent beheading of Eusebio Romano, Emilio Felipe, and Benigno Estabillo (Charge No. 6); and the arrest and torture of Manuel Barbosa and Fortunato Constantino, leading to the latter’s death (Charge No. 7). The defense denied the allegations, claiming the acts were committed by others and that he instead helped secure the release of many individuals.
ISSUE
Whether the accused-appellant is guilty of the crime of treason based on the evidence presented.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of conviction. The Court found that the evidence conclusively established the accused’s role as a leader of the Makapili who actively and unconditionally aided the Japanese forces in capturing, torturing, and exterminating guerrilla members and civilians to suppress resistance. His actions constituted treason. While the Solicitor General recommended the death penalty, the Court lacked sufficient votes to impose it. Thus, the sentence of reclusión perpetua was upheld. The decision was concurred in by the Court en banc.
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