Case Summary (G.R. No. L-840)
Facts of the Case
On the afternoon of January 5, 1946, Leon Gonzales and his wife, Segunda Fuentes, were walking in a secluded area when they were accosted by the appellant, Cesar Luneta, and an accomplice named Dominador, who remains at large. Both men were armed and posed as members of the military. They proceeded to assault Leon Gonzales, physically attacking him, while the appellant intimidated the couple at gunpoint. Dominador ordered the spouses to undress and later initiated an assault on Segunda Fuentes while Leon managed to flee. Subsequently, Luneta also sexually assaulted Segunda Fuentes. The culprits fled the scene with the couple's clothing and other valuables worth P375. The spouses later reported the crime to the police, leading to the identification of the appellant.
Legal Proceedings and Appellant's Defense
Cesar Luneta was tried and found guilty of robbery with rape, receiving an indeterminate prison sentence ranging from 8 years and 1 day to 14 years, 8 months and 1 day, along with an order to indemnify the offended parties. Luneta's defense was primarily a denial of the allegations, claiming to have been at a relative's house at the time of the incident.
Evaluation of Evidence
The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's decision, emphasizing the credibility of the offended parties. Their swift reporting of the incident and the prompt identification of the appellant were pivotal in supporting their testimony. The high court noted the absence of any motive for them to fabricate their testimony against Luneta. The prosecution's evidence was consistent with the spouses’ accounts, suggesting no discrepancy or fault in their statements.
Consideration of Aggravating Circumstances
The court dismissed the Solicitor General's argument that the crime was aggravated by the fact that it took place in an uninhabited area. The evidence did not support that the location was chosen deliberately to facilitate the crime, and there was no proof that the assailants had sought out the victims.
Applicable Law and Sentencing
The crime of robbery with rape is governed by Article 294, paragraph 2, of the Revised Penal Code, which prescribes a penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua. Due t
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-840)
Case Citation
- Jurisprudence: 79 Phil. 815 EN BANC
- G.R. No. L-840
- Date of Decision: January 12, 1948
Parties Involved
- Plaintiff and Appellee: The People of the Philippines
- Defendants: Cesar Luneta and Dominador (the latter remains at large)
- Appellant: Cesar Luneta
Background of the Case
- The case arises from an appeal made by Cesar Luneta against a judgment rendered by the Court of First Instance of Capiz.
- The appellant was found guilty of robbery with rape, resulting in a sentence that included an indeterminate prison term and an order for restitution to the victims.
Facts of the Case
- On January 5, 1946, at approximately 3 PM, Leon Gonzales and his wife, Segunda Fuentes, were accosted by the appellant and Dominador while traversing an isolated area in Mahayag, Malocloc, Ivisan, Capiz.
- Both assailants were armed with revolvers and posed as military personnel, demanding whether Leon was part of the army.
- After Leon denied being an army man, Dominador struck him with a fist and a revolver, while Cesar Luneta pointed his weapon at the couple.
- The assailants commanded the couple to undress, which they complied with under duress.
- Following this, Dominador forcibly had sexual intercourse with Segunda Fuentes, while Leon managed to escape.
- Cesar Luneta returned to Segunda after Leon's escape and similarly assaulted her.
- The assailants then fled the scene, taking the victims' clothing and other valuables, totaling P375.
Reporting and Identification
- After the inci