Facts:

• The case involves the murder of Haide Cagatan.
• Accused: Gilberto Villarico, Sr., Gilberto Villarico, Jr., Jerry Ramentos, and Ricky Villarico.
• Incident date and location: August 8, 1999, at around 7:50 p.m. in Barangay Bolinsong, Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.
• Haide was preparing dinner when he was shot.
• Witnesses: Remedios Cagatan (Haide's sister-in-law) and Francisco Cagatan (Haide's father).
• Remedios saw the accused aiming firearms at the kitchen door.
• Francisco recognized the accused standing by the kitchen door after the gunshots.
• Haide identified "Berting" as his assailant before dying.
• Initial RTC judgment: Accused convicted of homicide aggravated by dwelling, sentenced to 6 years and 1 day to 17 years, 4 months, and 1 day of imprisonment.
• CA modified the conviction to murder, imposing reclusion perpetua on each accused.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Court affirmed the CA's decision, finding the accused guilty of murder and sentencing them to reclusion perpetua.
• The Court held that treachery w...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The prosecution's primary duty is to prove the identity of the criminal beyond reasonable doubt.
• Positive identification by Remedios and Francisco, who were familiar with the accused, was deemed credible.
• Haide's statement identifying "Berting" as his assailant was part of the res gestae and admissible.
• The collective actions of the accused indicated a conspiracy to kill Haide, making each of them equally liable regardless of who fired the fatal shots.
• Treac...continue reading