Case Summary (G.R. No. 1222)
Allegations and Incident Description
The complaint filed by the provincial fiscal alleged that on June 3, 1902, a group of approximately four hundred armed men, including the accused, conducted a tumultuous raid on Cabiao. This group was reported to have fired their weapons, instigated panic among the townspeople, and committed acts of violence, including the abduction of sixty to seventy residents. The victims were taken to various locations, threatened, and told about the injustices they endured at the hands of wealthy landowners. The leaders of the band identified themselves as members of an illegal association, stating their intent to continue their actions against perceived oppression from authorities and wealthy individuals.
Criminal Acts and Legal Basis
The actions taken by the defendants constituted sedition, as defined under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Section 5 and punishable by Section 6 of Act No. 292 of the Civil Commission. The acts included attacking the town, intimidating residents, and making threats against public officials. The defendants were implicated as members of an illegal association and had committed violent acts with political motives, thus satisfying the legal definition of sedition.
Evidence and Witness Testimonies
The prosecution’s case relied heavily on witness testimonies from individuals who experienced the assault and identified the defendants as members of the armed band. Notably, the municipal president and justice of the peace of Cabiao provided corroborating statements about the attackers’ intentions and actions. These accounts underscored the organized nature of the raid, supporting the claim of a politically motivated crime.
Defense Claims and Verdict
Despite pleading not guilty, the defense did not produce sufficient evidence to rebut the incriminating testimonies presented by the prosecution. As such, the defe
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Case Background
- The case involves a complaint filed by the provincial fiscal in the Court of First Instance of Nueva Ecija against Mateo Lapus, Bonifacio Bautista, Eufino Ordonez, Victorino Manalang, and Pedro Bautista.
- The defendants were charged with the crime of sedition under the provisions of Act No. 292 of the Civil Commission.
- The alleged incident occurred on the night of June 3, 1902, when a group of approximately four hundred armed men, including the defendants, raided the town of Cabiao.
Nature of the Incident
- The band entered the town, firing shots and causing panic among the residents.
- Several houses were raided, and between sixty to seventy inhabitants were taken captive, including notable individuals such as Roman Isip Torres and Victorino Natividad.
- The captives were threatened and intimidated, with some being held until the following noon.
- Members of the band, including their chief, Domingo Cunanan, justified their actions by claiming they were retaliating against wealthy landowners for usurious practices and oppression of the poor.
Organizational Context
- The group was linked to t