Case Digest (G.R. No. L-5170)
Facts:
The People of the Philippines v. Pedro Sabido y Delantar, G.R. No. L-5170. March 16, 1953, the Supreme Court En Banc, Montemayor, J., writing for the Court.
The criminal information charged Pedro Sabido y Delantar (defendant-appellant) with treason in five counts; the prosecution presented evidence only on counts 1, 2 and 3. The prosecution alleged, in substance, that during the Japanese occupation Sabido acted as an agent and informer of the Japanese Imperial Forces, joined the collaborationist organization Makapili, aided Japanese raids and “zonification” operations, rounded up families suspected of harboring guerrillas, and assisted in the identification, torture and execution of persons alleged to be guerrillas.
At the trial in the Court of First Instance of Manila the court found Sabido guilty on the three counts for which evidence was offered, but the record indicates the trial court did not find sufficient proof of his formal membership in Makapili. Evidence included testimony by Alicia and Isabel Palma and Atilano Sosa about an April 23, 1943 raid on the Palma home in San Nicolas in search of Recto Palma; testimony by Ramon Samonte and Ramon Galit about a December 5, 1944 “zonification” of Domingo Santiago Street in Sampaloc in which Sabido allegedly pointed out Alejandro Samonte and Cornelio Hernandez as guerrilla suspects who were then taken away and never heard from again; and observations that Sabido was seen accompanying Japanese soldiers, wearing an armband with Japanese characters, and carrying a pistol and a carborata.
The trial court sentenced Sabido to reclusion perpetua, imposed a fine of P10,000 and costs. Sabido appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. At the Supreme Court, counsel de oficio for the appellant submitted a brief that, after reviewin...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Whether the acts alleged and proven against Pedro Sabido constitute the crime of treason.
- Whether the prosecution proved Sabido’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt to sustain the conviction an...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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