Case Summary (G.R. No. 198314)
Facts of the Case
The prosecution's case revolved around a buy-bust operation conducted on January 20, 2004. The operation commenced following a tip-off to the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Task Force (AIDSTF) about Guinto’s alleged sale of shabu at a specified location in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. The preparation for the operation included briefing the buy-bust team, composed of several police officers led by Police Inspector Melbert Esguerra, with designated posers and equipment for the transaction. Once the team's presence was confirmed, a designated poseur-buyer, PO1 Melvin Mendoza, successfully purchased what was claimed to be two sachets of shabu from Guinto, leading to Guinto’s arrest.
Defense and Investigation
In response to the accusations, Guinto denied involvement in the illegal transaction and claimed he was at home cooking with family during the time of the alleged crime. His defense was bolstered by testimonies from his wife, Jane P. Guinto, and their son, John Mark, who corroborated his account of the events, claiming that police officers had entered their home unlawfully and attempted to extort money.
Diverse Testimonies and Inconsistencies
Throughout the trial, the testimonies provided by the prosecution's witnesses, primarily the arresting officers, revealed multiple inconsistencies. For instance, PO1 Familara and PO1 Mendoza differed in their accounts of how many sachets were sold, whether the buy-bust money was retrieved from Guinto's left or right pocket, and the pre-arranged signal used during the transaction. These inconsistencies raised significant credibility issues regarding the officers' accounts of the operation.
Ruling of the Trial Court
The trial court found Guinto guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him according to the law. It cited the presence of all necessary elements to establish illegal sale based on testimonies from law enforcement that were deemed credible. The court adhered to a presumption of regularity in police conduct, despite the minor inconsistencies asserted by the defense.
Ruling of the Court of Appeals
The appellate court upheld the trial court’s ruling, reaffirming the conviction based on their interpretation that the prosecution had sufficiently established the elements of the crime. The appellate court addressed arguments about a supposed non-compliance with procedural safeguards surrounding chain of custody but ultimately decided that it did not negate the integrity of evidence.
Final Ruling and Reversal
Upon an in-depth examination of the evidence, the court determined that the prosecution failed
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 198314)
Overview of the Case
- This case arises from an appeal filed by Richard Guinto y San Andres (Guinto) against the Decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) dated January 31, 2011.
- The CA affirmed the conviction by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasig City for the violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Background Facts
- The prosecution's case was based on a buy-bust operation conducted on January 20, 2004, at approximately 1:00 AM.
- The operation was initiated following a call from a female informant regarding illegal drug sales by an individual referred to as "Charda" at a specific location in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
- Senior Police Officer 3 Leneal Matias (SPO3 Matias) coordinated the operation with Police Inspector Melbert Esguerra (P/Insp. Esguerra), who formed a buy-bust team and designated PO1 Melvin Mendoza as the poseur-buyer.
Details of the Buy-Bust Operation
- The team, including the informant, arrived at the target area around 11:00 PM on January 19, 2004.
- PO1 Mendoza and the informant waited for Guinto, who emerged from his house after approximately two hours.
- The informant introduced PO1 Mendoza as someone seeking to purchase illegal drugs worth PHP 200.
- Guinto provided two plastic sachets of shabu in exchange for the marked money, which he placed in his left pocket.
- Following the pre-arranged signal, the police team arrested Guinto and confiscated the marked money.