G.R. No. L-2954; November 16, 1950
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ALEJANDRO ALMAZORA, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

Alejandro Almazora, a Filipino citizen, was convicted of treason by the Court of First Instance of Laguna and sentenced to reclusion temporal and a fine. The charges stemmed from his activities during the Japanese occupation. The prosecution presented evidence on three counts: (1) joining and serving in the Makapili organization, accompanying Japanese soldiers on raids, and arresting suspected guerrillas; (2) participating in the arrest and torture of guerrilla suspect Norberto Ungkiatco on December 23, 1944; and (3) participating in the arrest of Andres Ramos on January 15, 1945, who was thereafter never heard from. The appellant denied the charges, claiming the witnesses bore a grudge against his father, a pre-war Ganap member.

ISSUE

Whether the appellant is guilty of treason based on the evidence presented.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. The Court found that the prosecution witnesses were credible and their testimonies sufficiently established the appellant’s adherence to the enemy and the commission of overt acts of treason. The Court held that membership in the Makapili could be inferred from the appellant’s conduct—frequenting its headquarters, associating with known members, and participating in armed raids with them and Japanese soldiers. The defense of alibi was rejected as unsupported and unconvincing compared to the straightforward testimony of the prosecution witnesses. The penalty imposed by the trial court was affirmed.

AI Generated by Armztrong.