Case Digest (G.R. No. 123872)
Facts:
- Ruben Montilla y Gatdula, also known as "Joy," was charged on August 22, 1994, for violating Section 4, Article II of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659.
- The incident occurred on June 20, 1994, in Barangay Salitran, Dasmariñas, Cavite, where Montilla was accused of unlawfully administering, transporting, and delivering 28 kilos of dried marijuana leaves.
- The arraignment took place on September 14, 1994, where Montilla pleaded not guilty.
- On June 8, 1995, the Regional Trial Court found him guilty, imposing the death penalty, a fine of P500,000.00, and the costs of the proceedings.
- Montilla was apprehended at around 4:00 A.M. on June 20, 1994, by police officers who were informed about a drug courier arriving from Baguio City.
- Upon arrival, Montilla was found with 28 bricks of marijuana in a traveling bag and a carton box.
- He denied ownership of the drugs, claiming he was in Dasmariñas to visit a cousin regarding a job offer, which was corroborated but not documented.
- Montilla argued he was not informed of his constitutional rights during interrogation and alleged police robbery of P500.00.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court ruled that the trial court did not err in convicting Montilla, as the evidence was sufficient to establish his guilt.
- The Court held that the warrantless search and seizure were justified as a search incidental to a lawful arrest. ...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court found the trial court's conviction supported by credible testimonies from police officers, deemed reliable and free from ill motives.
- The prosecution's evidence clearly established that Montilla was caught transporting marijuana, violating Section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
- The Court rejected Montilla's argument regarding insufficient evidence, n...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 123872)
Facts:
The case involves Ruben Montilla y Gatdula, also known as "Joy," who was charged on August 22, 1994, for violating Section 4, Article II of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 20, 1994, in Barangay Salitran, Dasmariñas, Cavite, where Montilla was accused of unlawfully administering, transporting, and delivering 28 kilos of dried marijuana leaves. The Regional Trial Court, Branch 90, of Dasmariñas, Cavite, conducted the arraignment on September 14, 1994, where Montilla pleaded not guilty. The trial culminated in a guilty verdict on June 8, 1995, resulting in the imposition of the death penalty, a fine of P500,000.00, and the costs of the proceedings.
The prosecution's evidence indicated that Montilla was apprehended at approximately 4:00 A.M. on June 20, 1994, by police officers SPO1 Concordio Talingting and SPO1 Armando Clarin, who were tipped off by an informer about a drug courier arriving from Baguio City. Upon his arrival, Montilla was found carrying 28 bricks of marijuana in a traveling bag and a carton box. Montilla, however, denied ownership of the drugs, claiming he had only pocket money and was in Dasmariñas to visit a cousin regarding a job offer. His cousin, Melita Adaci, corroborated his story but failed to provide any documentation to support her employment claims. Montilla argued that he was not informed of his constitutional rights during interrogation and alleged that he was robbed of P500.00 by the police....