People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Dionisio Feliciano, defendant-appellant.
FACTS
In the early morning of June 10, 1950, Constabulary Sergeant Roman Arao conducted a search in the house of Francisco Mamba in Tuao, Cagayan. During the search, he found a .45 caliber revolver with three rounds of ammunition under the pillow of the appellant, Dionisio Feliciano. The appellant was charged with and convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by the Court of First Instance of Cagayan.
ISSUE
Whether the appellant is criminally liable for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition found in his possession on June 10, 1950, in light of the provisions of Republic Act No. 482.
RULING
The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction. The Court held that the appellant is not liable under Republic Act No. 482. This Act, which took effect on June 10, 1950, provided that an unlicensed holder or possessor of any firearm or ammunition may surrender it within one year from its effectivity without incurring criminal liability. The Act only punishes (1) using a firearm or ammunition or (2) carrying them on one’s person during that period, except for the purpose of surrender. Since the appellant was not charged with either of these two acts, but merely with possession, he incurred no criminal liability. The appealed judgment was reversed and the appellant was acquitted.
