G.R. No. L-1838; January 7, 1949
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. EXEQUIEL LACANLALE, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

During the Japanese occupation, Exequiel Lacanlale was charged with treason. The prosecution proceeded on four counts, alleging that on or about March 22, 1944, in Arayat, Pampanga, he served as an agent of the Imperial Japanese Forces, arresting and maltreating individuals suspected of guerrilla activities, including Capt. Jose M. Tinio, Filemon Pascual, and Nicolas Dizon. Multiple eyewitnesses testified to Lacanlale’s brutal acts, such as beating, kicking, and torturing prisoners, and his involvement in the seizure and disappearance of other individuals. Lacanlale did not dispute the facts but claimed his collaboration was a front to help the guerrillas, presenting two townmates as witnesses to support his alleged guerrilla connections.

ISSUE

Whether the defendant-appellant, Exequiel Lacanlale, is guilty of treason for his actions during the Japanese occupation.

RULING

Yes, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court, finding Lacanlale guilty of treason. The Court held that the prosecution’s evidence, including credible eyewitness testimonies, substantiated the charges of adherence to the enemy through brutal acts of arrest, torture, and maltreatment. Lacanlale’s defense of being a covert guerrilla operative was rejected as unsupported by reliable evidence; the testimonies presented were hearsay or uncorroborated and insufficient to counteract the treasonous inferences from his actions. The Court emphasized that his persistent and violent conduct demonstrated clear loyalty to the Japanese forces, not a sham collaboration. Thus, the sentence of reclusion perpetua, a fine, and accessory penalties was upheld.

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