G.R. No. 224558 - Universal Robina Sugar Milling Corp. vs. Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa URSUMCO-National Federation of Labor

Defendant: Sy Pio alias Policarpio de la Cruz.
Charged with murder in two separate informations filed before the Court of First Instance of Manila.
Found guilty in both cases and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, with accessory penalties including indemnification of P2,000 to the heirs of the deceased and payment of court costs.

Ngo Chu, a Chinese owner of a sari-sari store, was the holder of a licensed revolver.
On the night of September 2, 1949, before going to bed, Ngo Chu ensured the revolver was loaded and hid it under his pillow.
The following morning, the revolver was discovered missing, prompting Ngo Chu to report the theft to a policeman and later to Police Precinct No. 1.
While en route to the precinct accompanied by his landlord, Celso Casingan, they encountered defendant Sy Pio on the street near a Chinese theater.
Following the defendant into a restaurant, Ngo Chu witnessed him carrying the revolver while verbally threatening in Chinese, “Don’t approach, otherwise I will shoot you or kill you.”
A shot was fired during this confrontation, resulting in the falling of a person later identified as Ong Pian.
Ngo Chu and Casingan pursued the defendant briefly but lost him and subsequently reported the shooting to the local police.

After the initial shooting, the defendant proceeded to Misericordia street.
At a house, he encountered Jose Sy, a Chinaman, who was reading a newspaper.
Without any verbal exchange, the defendant fired a shot at Jose Sy using the same revolver, resulting in the immediate death of Jose Sy.
Subsequent shots were fired in the air, after which the defendant fled the scene.

The defendant was apprehended in Tarlac several days later by members of the Philippine Constabulary.
Upon arrest, the defendant voluntarily made a written confession before the Justice of the Peace of Tarlac and the police officers in Manila.
His confession admitted that he shot Ong Pian and the other victim (Jose Sy) for personal reasons.
The written confession was signed by the defendant and supported by the factual circumstances.

Ngo Chu and Celso Casingan (who observed the defendant in proximity and actions).
Francisca Luna (wife of Jose Sy) and Tan Chiong Kiap, both of whom corroborated the events.

The defendant attempted to offer an alternative narrative accusing a Chinese named Chua Tone and implicating two other individuals (Yu Owa and Lim Sy Puat), but these claims were uncorroborated and not supported by his confession.
The proper chain of evidence, consisting of eyewitness testimonies and the defendant’s own written declaration, conclusively established that the defendant was solely responsible for the murders.

Whether the evidence on record, including eyewitness testimony and the written confession, is sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Whether the defendant’s alternative version implicating other individuals, which remains uncorroborated by his confession or other evidence, can offset the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Whether the admission of guilt by the defendant was voluntary and reliable in confirming his responsibility for the crimes.
Whether the qualification of murder as committed with treachery is properly applicable given the facts and circumstances of the killing.