G.R. No. L-21757 November 26, 1968
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. KASILA SANGARAN, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

On June 1, 1959, at about 6:00 PM in Sitio Dimarao, Pagayawan, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, Gregorio Lumacao was shot and killed while drinking at the window of his house. His son, Victorio Lumacao, had earlier seen two suspicious persons—Rascal Tagua and another man later identified as Kasila Sangaran (appellant)—hiding near their house under coffee trees, one holding a carbine. Victorio reported this to his father. After supper, while Gregorio was at the window, a shot was fired, hitting and killing him. Initially, a complaint for murder was filed against Rascal Tagua and a John Doe. After appellant’s apprehension and identification by Victorio, an amended complaint was filed against both Tagua and Sangaran. Tagua was tried separately (Criminal Case No. 336) and acquitted. Appellant Sangaran was tried separately (Criminal Case No. 487), found guilty of murder, and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, with indemnity to the heirs of the deceased. He appealed, arguing insufficiency of evidence.

ISSUE

Whether the evidence presented is sufficient to prove the guilt of appellant Kasila Sangaran beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The main evidence consisted of the testimony of eyewitness Victorio Lumacao, who identified appellant as one of the two persons he saw hiding earlier and who later shot his father. The trial court found Victorio credible, noting his spontaneous demeanor and corroboration by other evidence, including Tagua’s prior sworn statement. The Court rejected appellant’s defense that he was falsely implicated by Tagua due to rivalry over a woman, finding this unsupported by the evidence. The decision was affirmed, with the indemnity increased to P12,000.00.