Case Summary (G.R. No. 97285)

Conviction and Sentencing of Accused

Nestor Alapan and Francisco Clavido were convicted of murder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua by the Regional Trial Court of Oroquieta City. They were also ordered to pay civil indemnity to the heirs of the victim, Renato Adecer, in the amount of P30,000.00. The case also involved a co-accused, Clemente Pija, who was charged but remained at large and was never apprehended for trial.

• Nestor Alapan and Francisco Clavido found guilty of murder.
• Sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
• Ordered to indemnify victim's heirs P30,000.00.
• Co-accused Clemente Pija remains at large.

Prosecution's Version of Events

The prosecution's narrative indicates that Renato Adecer, a 20-year-old, was attacked while walking home with friends after escorting a woman named Annelyn Poledo. During the attack, Renato was singled out and brutally hacked and stabbed to death. Three eyewitnesses, all companions of Renato, testified against Alapan and Clavido, identifying them as participants in the crime alongside Pija.

• Renato Adecer attacked after escorting Annelyn Poledo.
• Eyewitnesses: Nilo Madronero, Rodrigo Macas, Vicente Idol.
• Testimonies identified Alapan, Clavido, and Pija as attackers.

Eyewitness Testimonies

Nilo Madronero, a 13-year-old, testified that Pija attacked Renato with a bolo, followed by Alapan stabbing him with a knife while Clavido held him. Rodrigo Macas corroborated this account, detailing the sequence of events and the weapons used. Vicente Idol provided additional context, describing how the attack unfolded as they approached the accused, who were seated by the roadside.

• Madronero: Pija hacked Renato; Alapan stabbed him.
• Macas: Confirmed details of the attack.
• Idol: Described the scene and the attackers' positions.

Medical Examination Findings

Dr. Gloria Bongabong, the Municipal Health Officer, conducted an examination of Renato's body and concluded that he died from "shock and internal hemorrhage due to multiple stab and hacking wounds." This medical testimony corroborated the eyewitness accounts of the violent nature of the attack.

• Renato died from shock and internal hemorrhage.
• Medical findings supported eyewitness accounts.

Defense Strategy and Alibi

In their defense, Alapan and Clavido presented an alibi, claiming they were drinking in the market at the time of the incident and later separated. They attempted to shift the blame solely onto Pija, asserting he acted alone. Witnesses for the defense testified that they saw Pija commit the attack without the involvement of Alapan and Clavido.

• Defense claimed alibi; they were drinking in the market.
• Attempted to blame Pija as the sole assailant.
• Defense witnesses testified against Pija.

Credibility of Witnesses

The appellants challenged the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, arguing that their accounts were implausible as they supposedly witnessed the entire incident without fleeing. However, the court emphasized that the trial court's assessment of witness credibility is paramount, and the testimonies were found to be consistent and compelling.

• Appellants questioned the credibility of eyewitnesses.
• Court upheld the trial court's assessment of witness credibility.
• Witnesses described their shock and immobility during the attack.

Evaluation of Alibi Defense

The court found the alibi defense insufficient, noting that the appellants were not far enough from the crime scene to establish a credible alibi. The positive identification of the appe...continue reading