Facts:

• The case involves the People of the Philippines as the plaintiff-appellee against accused-appellants Bernardo "Toldo" Panes (who remains at large), Manuel Panes, Wilson Velasco, and Noel Dela Cruz.
• The events occurred on March 13, 1987, around 3:00 PM in Purok Baras, Barangay Roxas, Municipality of Sto. Nino, Province of South Cotabato.
• The accused were charged with four counts of murder before the Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Branch 26, Surallah, South Cotabato, with informations filed on September 30, 1987.
• The prosecution's case relied on the testimony of Demetrio Paypon, Jr., the sole eyewitness, who observed the accused, armed with high-powered firearms, attack and shoot four members of the Cocjin family: Juanillo Cocjin, Sr., Steve Cocjin, Conrado Cocjin, and Jimmy Cocjin.
• Paypon testified that the accused approached the victims, who were unarmed and standing in a field, and began shooting without provocation.
• The accused claimed they acted in self-defense, alleging they were patrolling when they encountered the Cocjins, who were supposedly armed with bolos.
• The lower court convicted Manuel Panes, Wilson Velasco, and Noel Dela Cruz of murder, sentencing each to reclusion perpetua and ordering them to indemnify the victims' heirs.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the Regional Trial Court's decision, upholding the conviction of the accused-appellants for murder in all four cases.
• The court found no merit in the ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court's ruling was based on the credibility of eyewitness testimony from Demetrio Paypon, Jr., who had a clear view of the events.
• The court noted that the Cocjins were unarmed and posed no threat, while the accused were the aggressors.
• The lack of corroborating evidence for the defense's self-defense claims weakened their position.
• For self...continue reading