Case Summary (G.R. No. 173479)
Charges and Trial Origin
Cabbab, along with Segundino Calpito, was charged with double murder and attempted murder in relation to robbery. The prosecution alleged that during an ambush, Cabbab and Calpito attacked Winner Agbulos and Eddie Quindasan, resulting in Agbulos's immediate death and Quindasan's death shortly thereafter. They were accused of also attempting to kill a third victim, William Belmes, and stealing P12,000 from Agbulos.
Evidence Presented
During the trial, the prosecution called multiple witnesses, including a police investigator and relatives of the victims. Witness testimonies illustrated that after a poker game, the accused ambushed Agbulos and Quindasan, leading to their shooting. Belmes, present at the scene, witnessed the events unfold and later identified Cabbab as a perpetrator. The defense consisted of Cabbab testifying he was elsewhere at the time of the incident and claiming lack of relationship with the prosecution witnesses.
Trial Court’s Decision
The Regional Trial Court acquitted Calpito but found Cabbab guilty of robbery with double homicide and attempted murder. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for the homicides and a lesser sentence for attempted murder. The trial court also awarded damages to the victims' heirs.
Court of Appeals Modification
On appeal, the Court of Appeals modified the trial court's ruling, affirming Cabbab's conviction for robbery with homicide while overturning the separate conviction for attempted murder. The appellate court upheld the penalties imposed by the trial court but clarified the elements of the crime.
Appeal and Legal Analysis
Cabbab's appeal focused on the alleged insufficiency of identification by the prosecution witnesses, asserting they could not positively identify him as the shooter. However, the appellate court highlighted that such claims were contradicted by the direct observations of Belmes and Agbulos, who were able to clearly identify Cabbab due to their proximity and previous interactions with him.
Credibility of Witnesses
The Court found the testimonies credible as both witnesses had significant opportunities to observe the accused. The Court emphasized the natural instinct of victims to remember the faces of their attackers and denounced Cabbab's alibi, which did not eliminate the possibility of him being at the crime scene.
Robbery with Homicide Classification
The Court upheld the characterization of the crime as robbery with homicide under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code, confirming that the taking of property was accompanied by violence resulting in homicides commi
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 173479)
Case Overview
- The case involves an automatic review of the decision made by the Court of Appeals (CA) dated February 22, 2006.
- The appellant, Juan Cabbab, Jr., was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Robbery with Homicide and Attempted Murder, with a penalty of reclusion perpetua imposed.
- The case originated from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Bangued, Abra, Branch 2, where Cabbab was initially charged along with a co-accused, Segundino Calpito.
Charges and Allegations
- The Information accused Cabbab and Calpito of Double Murder and Attempted Murder with Robbery, specifically detailing events occurring on April 22, 1988, in Sitio Kayawkaw, Barangay Kimmalasag, San Isidro, Abra.
- The charges highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime, involving the use of a firearm, and outlined the intent to kill and rob.
- The specifics of the robbery involved stealing P12,000.00 from Winner Agbulos, who was murdered along with Eddie Quindasan during the incident.
Trial Proceedings
- Both accused entered pleas of "Not Guilty" during arraignment.
- The prosecution presented multiple witnesses, including police investigators and family members of the victims, who testified about the events leading to the shootings.
- The defense relied on testimonies from both Cabbab and Calpito, as well as a forensic chemist who performed a paraffin test on Cabbab.
Evidence Presented
- The prosecution's narrative described how the victims, after participating in a card game, were ambushed by the accused as they left the venue.
- Witnesses observed the shooting and identified Cabbab as one of the assailants, with testimonies corroborating the sequence of events and th