Case Summary (G.R. No. L-3827-28)
Factual Background
On the night of September 2, 1949, Ngo Chu, a Chinese store owner, secured his licensed revolver by placing it under his pillow before going to bed. The following morning, he discovered that the revolver was missing. After reporting the theft to the police with his landlord, Celso Casingan, they encountered the defendant while en route to the police precinct. They noticed Sy Pio armed with the stolen revolver in a restaurant, where he threatened Ngo Chu and Casingan before shooting Ong Pian, who collapsed immediately.
Sequence of Events
Following the shooting of Ong Pian, the defendant proceeded to Misericordia Street, where he encountered Jose Sy and shot him as well, leaving both victims mortally wounded. Sy died instantly from his injuries. The defendant fled the scene and was subsequently apprehended in Tarlac several days later. During the arrest, he admitted to committing the murders, providing a written confession that was voluntarily signed.
Evidence and Testimony
The prosecution's case was bolstered by testimonies from eyewitnesses, including Ngo Chu, Celso Casingan, Francisca Luna (wife of Jose Sy), and Tan Chiong Kiap. Their accounts corroborated the sequence of events and confirmed the identity of the defendant as the shooter. The evidence presented was deemed credible and consistent, with no indications of improper motives from the witnesses.
Defense and Plea
The defendant's defense consisted of an uncorroborated assertion that a third party named Chua Tone was responsible for the killings, and he implicated two other individuals, Yu Owa and Lim Sy Puat, without any substantiation. The court found these claims to be baseless and rather seen as attempts to divert guilt.
Legal Findings and Concl
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Case Overview
- The case is an appeal by Sy Pio, also known as Policarpio de la Cruz, who was charged with murder in two separate informations filed in the Court of First Instance of Manila.
- The defendant was found guilty in both cases and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, along with accessory penalties, and ordered to indemnify the heirs of the deceased in the amount of P2,000.
- The defendant appealed both judgments.
Facts of the Case
- Ngo Chu, a Chinese national and owner of a sari-sari store, possessed a licensed revolver, which he examined before going to bed on the night of September 2, 1949, ensuring it was loaded and concealed it under his pillow.
- Upon waking the next morning, Ngo Chu discovered the revolver was missing and reported its disappearance to a policeman, who advised him to go to Police Precinct No. 1, accompanied by his landlord, Celso Casingan.
- While en route to the precinct, they encountered Sy Pio, who was their neighbor, walking near a Chinese theater.
- They followed Sy Pio into a restaurant, where Ngo Chu observed him holding the missing revolver. Sy Pio threatened them in Chinese, warn