Facts:

• Case: People vs. Pinto Jr., G.R. No. L-39519, decided on November 21, 1991.
• Defendants: Daniel Pinto Jr. and Narciso Buenaflor Jr., members of the Legazpi City Police Department.
• Incident Date: December 25, 1970, during the execution of a search warrant for Francisco Bello, suspected of illegal activities.
• Search warrant issued by the City Court of Legazpi based on surveillance.
• Police operation involved multiple teams; a jeep carrying the Tiongson family was encountered.
• Police opened fire on the vehicle, resulting in the death of 9-year-old Richard Tiongson and injuries to his sister Maria Theresa.
• Francisco Bello and another individual, Rosalio Andes, were also killed during the operation.
• Circuit Criminal Court found Pinto and Buenaflor guilty of multiple murders and frustrated murder, sentencing them to reclusion perpetua and additional penalties.
• Defendants appealed, claiming they acted within their official duties.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision, finding Pinto and Buenaflor guilty beyond reasonable doubt of multiple murders and frustrated murder.
• The court determined their actions were unauthorized and unlawful, stressing the need for police to act within their authority and respect human rights.
• Claims of self-defense were rejected, and no justification for the killings was found....(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The ruling emphasized that police officers must maintain peace and order in accordance with the law.
• Pinto and Buenaflor exceeded their authority during the search warrant execution, leading to unlawful kil...continue reading