Case Summary (G.R. No. L-2843)
Incident Overview
On the afternoon of January 30, 1943, Dorotea Orillo, the wife of accused Benito Guhiting, shouted that "Mana ya esta muerta" as she ran towards a guerrilla guard post. Hearing this, Benito and his brother Bernardo rushed to Matilde Guhiting's house. When they arrived, they found Zacarias seated on a mat with Matilde’s head on his lap, as she appeared to be suffering from stomach pains. Benito was armed with a wooden stick (referred to locally as "bankaro"), and Bernardo carried a pointed bolo (known as "buyo"). The two brothers violently assaulted Zacarias without any apparent provocation.
Details of the Assault
Benito attacked Zacarias by striking him on the head, hip, and arms with his "bankaro," while Bernardo inflicted a wound on Zacarias’ wrist with his bolo. Following the assault, the brothers left Zacarias severely injured on the floor of Matilde’s house. Subsequently, Hermogenes, Zacarias' father, found his son in a critical condition with severe injuries, including a skull fracture and broken bones, leading to Zacarias’ death later that afternoon.
Defense's Argument
The defense posited a different narrative, claiming that the Guhiting brothers arrived at Matilde’s home intending to assist her, as they believed she was being mistreated by her husband. They argued that Zacarias threatened Bernardo with a scythe, prompting Bernardo to act in self-defense. The defense maintained that only Bernardo was involved in the incident, asserting that he acted out of immediate necessity to protect himself from Zacarias' aggressive act.
Legal Proceedings
The Court of First Instance of Surigao dismissed the defense's claims of self-defense and found both Benito and Bernardo Guhiting guilty of murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment and ordering them to pay damages to Zacarias' heirs amounting to P4,000. The trial court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution, supported by the testimonies of eyewitnesses Daniel Elandag and Alfredo Gorimbao, substantiated the charges against the Guhiting brothers.
Assessment of the Testimonies
Witness testimonies indicated that there was no motive for Daniel and Alfredo to provide false evidence against the accused, as they were related to the family. The court critically evaluated the nature and extent of Zacarias’ injuries, concluding that the severity of his wounds was consistent with a deliberate and violent attack. The defense’s assertion of self-defense was scrutinized in light of the circumstances
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-2843)
Case Background
- The case involves the prosecution of Benito and Bernardo Guhiting for the murder of Zacarias Murillon on January 30, 1943.
- On the day of the incident, Dorotea Orillo, the wife of Benito, was seen running towards a guard post shouting that "Mana ya esta muerta" (meaning "Mana is dead").
- The accused rushed to the residence of Matilde Guhiting, their sister, where they encountered Zacarias, who was reportedly caring for Matilde, who was suffering from abdominal pains.
Incident Details
- Upon arrival at Matilde's house, Benito was armed with a wooden stick called "bankaro," while Bernardo wielded a pointed bolo referred to as "buyo."
- The confrontation escalated quickly; Benito struck Zacarias with the bankaro on various parts of his body, while Bernardo attacked with the bolo, causing a serious wrist injury.
- Zacarias was found in a critical state, later identified as having sustained a skull fracture, broken arms, and other injuries. He succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon.
Defense Argument
- The defense contended that the accused acted to protect their sister Matilde from her common-law husband, Zacarias, whom they believed was maltreating her.
- It was claimed that Berna