G.R. No. L-2457: THE UNITED STATES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ANICETO DADACAY, ET AL., defendants-appellants. March 17, 1906. CARSON, J.

FACTS:
The defendants, Aniceto Dadacay, Policarpio Dadole, Ramon Dadole, and Simplicio Hambre, were charged with the crime of brigandage. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimony of an alleged accomplice, Benito Balabat, who claimed that Ramon Dadole and Simplicio Hambre provided a rifle and ammunition to a bandit chief. An attempt was made to corroborate this testimony with the statement of the bandit chief himself. Additional testimony from Pedro Nagueta implicated the accused in a secret meeting to collect contributions for the bandits. Policarpio Dadole died pending his appeal.

ISSUE:
Whether the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to convict the appellants of the crime of brigandage.

RULING:
The Supreme Court ruled differently for each appellant:
1. As to Policarpio Dadole, the case was dismissed due to his death pending appeal.
2. As to Aniceto Dadacay, the judgment of conviction was affirmed. The Court found sufficient evidence to sustain his guilt and no prejudicial error in the proceedings.
3. As to Ramon Dadole and Simplicio Hambre, the judgment was reversed and they were acquitted. The Court held that the uncorroborated testimony of the accomplice, Benito Balabat, was not sufficient for conviction. The attempted corroboration by the bandit chief was contradictory and unreliable. The testimony of Pedro Nagueta was also deemed untrustworthy as to these accused. The Court ordered their immediate release.

Arellano, C.J., Torres, Mapa, Johnson, and Willard, JJ., concur.