Facts:

• Felix Manalang, a member of the Constabulary, was accused of committing a crime against Tomas Lacsamana on July 11, 1902, in Bacolor, Pampanga.
• Manalang, along with two companions, visited Lacsamana's house searching for a revolver.
• Upon Lacsamana's denial of possession, he was forcibly seized, stretched on the ground, and tortured, including being made to swallow water through a cane, which broke one of his teeth.
• Lacsamana was unlawfully detained at a police station until the night of July 12, 1902.
• Manalang demanded 15 pesos from Lacsamana's wife, Ines Garcia, threatening further harm to her husband if she did not pay.
• Ines borrowed the money from Felipe Garcia, which was delivered to Manalang, leading to Lacsamana's release.
• The incident was reported to the municipal president by Pedro de Jesus, resulting in the provincial fiscal filing charges.
• Evidence showed that Manalang committed offenses defined under section 19 of Act No. 175, which punishes extortion and unlawful detention.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The court ruled that Felix Manalang was guilty of the crime as charged, affirming the lower court's judgment.
• The court found that the alleged defect in the information regarding Manalang's status as a Constabulary member did not invalidate the proceedings.
• The court hel...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court's decision was based on overwhelming evidence of Manalang's involvement in the unlawful detention and extortion of Tomas Lacsamana.
• The torture inflicted on Lacsamana and the demand for money from his wife were established facts constituting the crime under sec...continue reading