G.R. No. 6344 - People vs Rodriguez

Accused-appellants Jesus Julianda, Jr. and Samson Guerrero were charged with murder and attempted murder, respectively, by the People of the Philippines.
Incident occurred on January 15, 1994, at Barangay Along-ong, Municipality of Libon, Albay.
They were among seven accused in Criminal Cases Nos. 3217 (murder of Teofilo Coralde) and 3218 (attempted murder of Ferdinand Coralde).
Other accused remained at large; only Jesus Julianda, Jr. and Samson Guerrero were arrested.

At about 8:15 a.m., Teofilo Coralde was riding a carabao while his brother Ferdinand was walking behind.
The group of accused including the Julianda brothers and Samson Guerrero blocked their way, armed with bolos, stones, and lead pipes.
Teofilo and Ferdinand tried to escape into a store but were surrounded by about twenty armed men.
Teofilo was forcibly dragged out and repeatedly stabbed, hacked, and struck with stones and lead pipes, causing instantaneous death.
Ferdinand was also attacked but managed to feign death and escape serious harm.

Eyewitnesses Gertrudes Casalo, Macaria Segui, and victim Ferdinand Coralde testified to the participation of Jesus Julianda, Jr. and Samson Guerrero in the assault.
Dr. Mario Cerillo conducted post-mortem on Teofilo, finding eleven injuries including fatal stab and hacking wounds causing massive blood loss.
Dr. Larry Mateum treated Ferdinand, who sustained several possibly bolo-inflicted wounds.
Civil witnesses Divina Coralde and Martina Coralde testified on expenses for wake, burial, and medical treatment.

Accused Jesus Julianda, Jr. claimed he stayed home all day; Samson Guerrero insisted he tried to pacify a quarrel between Ferdinand and Jimmy Julianda.
Defense witnesses, including Barangay Captain Brian Oliver, alleged the accused were at a volleyball court 2.5 kilometers away during the attack.
Other defense witnesses claimed the affray started with Teofilo and Ferdinand chasing Nolito Julianda, contradicting prosecution’s account.
There was denial of involvement by both accused and attempts to portray them as peacekeepers rather than assailants.

The Regional Trial Court found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt, convicting them of murder and attempted murder.
Both were sentenced: Jesus Julianda, Jr. and Samson Guerrero to reclusion perpetua (murder) and prision mayor (attempted murder), respectively.
Joint and several liabilities for damages were imposed on the accused.
The accused appealed the judgment.

Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of accused Jesus Julianda, Jr. and Samson Guerrero beyond reasonable doubt.
Whether the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were credible and if the trial court erred in giving them credence.
Whether conspiracy among the accused was adequately proven.
Whether the qualifying circumstances of treachery, abuse of superior strength, and evident premeditation applied.
Whether the awarded damages had proper factual and evidentiary basis.