Recalling Witnesses

EN BANC October 29, 1968 G.R. No. L-16941 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, !.
MATEO DEL CASTILLO, ET AL., "efen"ant!, JOSE ESTRADA, "efen"ant-appellant. Assistant Solicitor General Esmeraldo Umali and Solicitor Ceferino P. Padua for plaintiff-appealee. Jose W. Diokno for defendant-appellant. ANGELES, J.: #$i! i! a re ie%, on appeal b& acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a, of Cri)inal Ca!e No. 21*-G of t$e Co'rt of +ir!t ,n!tance of -'e.on, %$erein t$e "eat$ !entence %a! i)po!e" 'pon t$e !ai" acc'!e" b& t$e co'rt a quo in it! "eci!ion "ate" +ebr'ar& 11, 196/, t$e "i!po!iti e portion of %$ic$ rea"! a! follo%!0 1RE2,3E4 on t$e fore5oin5 con!i"eration! t$e Co'rt $ereb& fin"! t$e acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a G6,L#7 be&on" rea!onable "o'bt of t$e cri)e of 8i"nappin5 for ran!o) a! "efine" an" p'ni!$e" b& Article 269 of t$e Re i!e" 1enal Co"e, a! 'lti)atel& a)en"e" b& Rep'blic Act No. 1/84, %it$ t$e a55ra atin5 circ')!tance of ab'!e of p'blic office :$e bein5 t$en )'nicipal co'ncilor of G')aca;, %it$o't an& )iti5atin5 circ')!tance to off!et it, an" $ereb& !entence! $i) to "ie b& electroc'tion a! pro i"e" b& la%, or"erin5 $i! $eir! after $i! e<ec'tion, to in"e)nif& El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe or $er $eir! in ca!e of $er "eat$, in t$e a)o'nt of 1>/,///.//, an" to pa& t$e co!t!. +or a prefator& !tate)ent of t$e bac85ro'n" fact! of t$e ca!e, t$e "etail! of %$ic$ !$all be !et fort$ later a! ?e re ie% t$e e i"ence, t$e follo%in5 antece"ent! nee" be !tate". ,n t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6, 2r!. El ira #a=a"a "e
1 Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
1rincipe, a &o'n5, pro)inent patron of G')aca, -'e.on, a )e)ber of t$e ric$, %ell 8no%n 1rincipe fa)il&, %a! 8i"nappe" b& a ban" of @'8bala$ap!, $ea"e" b& one Co))an"er 1epe Alcantara. 3$e %a! "etaine" for 18 "a&! in t$e @'8 lair! "eep in t$e )o'ntain! of t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la, an" %a! relea!e" onl& 'pon pa&)ent of a ran!o) of 1>/,///.//. On acco'nt of t$e 8i"nappin5, t$ree:*; ca!e!, file" one after anot$er, %ere in!tit'te" b& t$e Go ern)ent a5ain!t t$e 8no%n !'!pect!. ?e are pre!entl& concerne" onl& %it$ t$e la!t of t$e!e ca!e!, %$ic$ $a! c'l)inate" in t$i! appeal. B't for a better 'n"er!tan"in5 of t$i! ca!e, ?e $a e to )a8e )ention of t$e) all in pa!!in5. An" for t$i! p'rpo!e, t$e !tate)ent )a"e b& t$e trial co'rt in t$e "eci!ion appeale" fro) %ill !'ffice. :a; !e "irst Case. # Criminal Case $o. %&'-G. #$e fir!t c$ar5e %a! a co)plaint initiate" on 2arc$ 11, 19>6, b& Lt. L'ca! B. Apolonio of t$e *8t$ 1C Co)pan& !tatione" at G')aca an" lo"5e" %it$ t$e A'!tice of t$e peace co'rt of G')aca %$ic$ 'pon ele ation to t$i! Co'rt beca)e Cri). Ca!e No. 1*9-G for t$e co)ple< cri)e of rebellion %it$ 8i"nappin5 in %$ic$ t$e infor)ation %a! file" b& A!!i!tant 1ro incial +ile" 3e erino ,. Billafranca on April 24, 19>6. On ('ne 4, 19>6, +i!cal Billafranca a)en"e" $i! fir!t infor)ation to na)e Arca"io #ala era a! Lt. Alcantara in t$e a!!')ption t$at Lt. Alcantara %a! Arca"io #ala era. Later on an" after t$e L'i! #ar'c ca!e %a! "eci"e" b& t$e 3'pre)e Co'rt to t$e effect t$at t$ere %a! no !'c$ co)ple< cri)e of rebellion %it$ 8i"nappin5, +i!cal Billafranca )o e" t$e Co'rt to per)it $i) to a)en" $i! infor)ation an" to c$ar5e t$e acc'!e" !eparatel&, one infor)ation for t$e cri)e of 8i"nappin5 for ran!o). On ('ne 26, 19>6, a !econ" a)en"e" infor)ation in Cri)inal Ca!e No. 1*9-G %a! file" b& +i!cal Billafranca c$ar5in5 all t$e acc'!e"
$ea"e" b& Arca"io #ala era alia! Lt. Alcantara %it$ t$e !i)ple cri)e of rebellion. On A'5'!t 26, 19>6, a t$ir" infor)ation %a! file" b& +i!cal Billafranca eli)inatin5 Arca"io #ala era fro) t$e infor)ation b't a""in5 Lt. Alcantara a! one of t$e acc'!e". #$e cri)e c$ar5e" %a! !till for t$e cri)e of rebellion. #$e recor" !$o%! t$at t$i! t$ir" a)en"e" infor)ation %a! pro i!ionall& "i!)i!!e" b& t$e Co'rt on October 16, 19>6, on t$e petition of +i!cal Billafranca an" 3pecial 1ro!ec'tor Capilitan on t$e 5ro'n" t$at t$e e i"ence a5ain!t t$e t%o acc'!e" 4oroteo E"'n5an an" B'ena ent'ra 2iel, %$o %ere t$en t$e onl& acc'!e" place" in t$e c'!to"& of t$e la% for rebellion, %ere not !'fficient to con ict t$e) of rebellion. #$e recor" f'rt$er !$o%! t$at t$e entire ca!e %a! pro i!ionall& "i!)i!!e" on t$e 5ro'n" t$at t$e re!t of t$e acc'!e" $a" not &et been arre!te", !'bAect to t$e pro i!o t$at an& ti)e t$e ca!e )a& be re i e" for rebellion a5ain!t t$o!e t$at )i5$t be arre!te" later. #$i! Ca!e No. 1*9-G i! t$erefore a clo!e" ca!e, at lea!t pro i!ionall& a! a ca!e for rebellion. :b; !e Second Case.# Criminal Case $o. %()-G* for +idnappin, for -ansom. On ('ne 26, 19>6, A!!i!tant 1ro incial +i!cal Billafranca file" a !eparate infor)ation for t$e 8i"nappin5 for ran!o) of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, na)in5 t$e t$irt&-t$ree acc'!e" in Cri). Ca!e No. 1*9G a! "efen"ant!. #$i! ca!e %a! "oc8ete" a! Cri)inal Ca!e No. 164. #$e recor" !$o%! t$at on A'5'!t 19, 19>6, t$i! Co'rt 'pon petition of 1ro incial +i!cal (o!e O. Lar"i.abal "i!)i!!e" t$e ca!e a5ain!t Arca"io #ala era a! Lt. Alcantara an" 1ro incial +i!cal Lar"i.abal file" an a)en"e" infor)ation on A'5'!t 16, 19>6, a5ain!t Lt. Alcantara an" t$e t$irt&-t%o per!on! na)e" in t$e fir!t infor)ation. ,n ot$er %or"!, Arca"io #ala era alia! Lt. Alcantara %a! eli)inate"
b't Lt. Alcantara %a! contin'e" in $i! !tea". #$e acc'!e" Antonio Ca)paniero alia! Nel!on "e Ro!a! %a! "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$i!infor)ation to be 'tili.e" a! %itne!! for t$e 5o ern)ent in Cri). Ca!e No. 21*-G. #$e ca!e a5ain!t B'ena ent'ra 2iel %a! "i!)i!!e" on 2arc$ 19, 19>9, for in!'fficienc& of e i"ence. #$e ca!e a5ain!t Gon.alo 2allare alia! Co))an"er Ro)& %a! "i!)i!!e" on 4ece)ber >, 19>9, for in!'fficienc& of e i"ence. On +ebr'ar& 2>, 19>8, t$e ca!e a5ain!t 4oroteo E"'n5an %a! "i!)i!!e" 'pon petition of 3pecial 1ro!ec'tor Bictor 3antillan an" Arte)io AleAo an" of A!!i!tant 1ro incial +i!cal E'fe)io A. Caparro! for in!'fficienc& of e i"ence. On +ebr'ar& 26, 19>8, t$e acc'!e" -'irino Ra ela alia! "e Leon plea"e" 5'ilt& a! acce!!or& after t$e fact in t$e cri)e of 8i"nappin5 for ran!o) of El ira #a=a"a an" %a! !entence" accor"in5l&. On +ebr'ar& 1, 196/, t$e acc'!e" Clo"'al"o Ca)ac$o plea"e" 5'ilt& a! acce!!or& after t$e fact an" %a! !entence" accor"in5l&. ,!i"ro Alpa& alia! Co))an"er B'la8la8, 4o)in5o A)erica alia! La5'i)a&, ,reneo Capi!on"a alia! Ernin5 alia! Lope, BenAa)in "e (e!'! C A)in, Ben Ra)ire. C Ben, 1e"ro 2artine. C 1e"ro, 3antia5o Napole! C No) er, C (ai)e C (i))& C (i)a&, C Gelacio C Elio!o, C Li%a&%a&, C Berna, C #i)oteo, C ('an, C 4e G'.)an, C #orre!, C Balencia, C Ba&a! an" C La"re! $a e not &et been place" in t$e c'!to"& of t$e la%. On +ebr'ar& 29, 19>8, t$e ca!e a5ain!t t$o!e %$o are !till at lar5e %a! "i!)i!!e" pro i!ionall&. #$e acc'!e" Alfre"o Re&e! C Co))an"er +re", E)iliano Bla!co C Co))an"er E)&, Ro"ri5o C Co))an"er #on&, Bictoriano 4a&'not C #orio an" 1anfilo Ro!ale! C 1re"o C Banaa5 are all reporte" "ea".
+or all p'rpo!e! t$erefore, Ca!e No. 164-G )a& be con!i"ere" a ter)inate" ca!e. :c; !e !ird Case. # Crim. Case $o. .%&-G* for +idnappin, for -ansom. On October 1/, 19>6, a t$ir" ca!e %a! file" b& a !pecial pro!ec'tor fro) t$e 4epart)ent of ('!tice, Antonio O. Capilitan, after t$e !'rren"er of !o)e of t$e @'8! %$o participate" in t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe. ,n t$i! t$ir" ca!e, t$e !pecial pro!ec'tor acc'!e" 2ateo "el Ca!tillo, (o!e E!tra"a an" ('lio Ceribo an" !e eral ot$er! 'n"er a!!')e" na)e! or alia!e! of 8i"nappin5 for ran!o) an" t$i! ca!e %a! "oc8ete" a! Cri). Ca!e No. 21*-G. #$i! i! no% t$e ca!e 'n"er con!i"eration of t$e Co'rt in %$ic$ t$e acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a %a! t$e onl& acc'!e" trie" b& t$e Co'rt. #$e acc'!e" (o!e Ceribo %a! "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$i! ca!e to be 'tili.e" a! %itne!! for t$e 5o ern)ent. #$e acc'!e" 2ateo "el Ca!tillo $a! been reporte" "ea". #$e acc'!e" Ro)a5'erra 4oe C Ro)a5'erra %a! i"entifie" a! +ranci!co Rabi an" @elin5 4oe C @elin5 %a! i"entifie" a! An5el Beran. #$e& bot$ plea"e" 5'ilt& 'pon t$eir arrai5n)ent on +ebr'ar& 1, 196/, a! acce!!or& an" %ere !entence" accor"in5l&. #$e acc'!e" 1ete 4oe C 1ete an" ?illia) 4oe C ?illia) %ere i"entifie" a! +ranci!co Li!a& an" -'intin 2a5"aon5. #$e& al!o bot$ plea"e" 5'ilt& a! acce!!or& an" %ere !entence" accor"in5l&. #$e acc'!e" Car"in5 4oe C Car"in5 i! reporte" "ea". A! to t$e ot$er acc'!e", #e""& 4oe C #e""&, Nato 4oe C Nato, 2i8e 4oe C 2i8e, ,n!o 4oe C ,n!o, E!!i 4oe C E!!i, Dalo& 4oe C Dalo&, Lorin5 4oe C Lorin5, an" (o$n 4oe, t$e& are !till at lar5e an" $a e not &et been place" 'n"er arre!t. 4'rin5 t$e trial of t$i! ca!e No. 21*-G t$e "efen!e of E!tra"a
* Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
a!!erte" t$at t$e acc'!e" Lt. Alcantara %a! alrea"& in t$e c'!to"& of t$e 1$ilippine Con!tab'lar& an" %a! !'bpoenae" a! %itne!! for t$e "efen!e b't not%it$!tan"in5t$e effort! of t$e Co'rt t$i! acc'!e" $a! not been pro"'ce" b& t$e a't$oritie!. @e i! !till c$ar5e" in Cri). Ca!e No. 21*-G b't $i! ca!e $a! not &et been !et for $earin5. #$e fore5oin5 !tate)ent of t$e 5ene!i! of Cri)inal Ca!e No. 21*-G e<plain! %$& t$e "eci!ion appeale" fro) concern! onl& (o!e E!tra"a :$erein appellant;. Acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a %a! trie" alone b& t$e co'rt belo% 'n"er t$e corre!pon"in5 infor)ation, alle5in5 a! follo%!0 #$at on or abo't t$e 29t$ "a& of +ebr'ar&, 19>6, in t$e )'nicipalit& of G')aca, 1ro ince of -'e.on, 1$ilippine! an" %it$in t$e A'ri!"iction of t$i! @onorable Co'rt, t$e afore)entione" Acc'!e", to5et$er %it$ :1; L#. ALCAN#ARA, :2; RO27 4OE C Co)"r RO2EO, :*; (O3E 2AL6BA7 C Co)"r 1E1E, :4; GAL,CANO 2ANAOG C Co)"r B6LADLAD, :6; 4O2,NA4OR A2ER,CA C LAG6,2A7, :9; AL+RE4O RE7E3 C Co)"r +RE4, :8; E2,L,ANO BLA3CO C Co)"r E227, :9; RO4R,GO 4OE Co)"r #ON7, :1/; CLO46AL4O CA2AC@O C E+REN, :11; B,C#OR,ANO 4A76NO# C #OR,O, :12; ,R,NEO CA1,3ON4A C ERN,NG, :1*; 4ORO#EO E46NGAN C 4ORO#, :14; B6ENABEN#6RA 2,EL C #6RA, :1>; BEN(A2,N 4E (E363 C A2,N, :16; BEN RA2,REE C BEN, :19; 1E4RO 2AR#,NEE C 1E4RO, :18; 3AN#,AGO NA1OLE3 C NO2ER, :19; 1AN+,LO RO3ALE3 C +RE4O C BANAAG, :2/; AN#ON,O CA21AN,ERO C NEL3ON 4E RO3A3, :21; C (A,2E C (,227 C (l2A7, :22; C GELAC,O C EL,O3O, :2*; C L,?A7?A7, :24; C BERNA, :2>; C #,2O#EO, :26; C (6AN, :29; C 4E 46E2AN, :28; C 2EN4OEA, :29; C 4E LEON, :*/; C #ORRE3, alrea"& c$ar5e" %it$ Di"nappin5 in Cri)inal Ca!e No. 164-G, 'n"er t$e !a)e fact! $erein c$ar5e", con!pirin5 an" confe"eratin5 an" )'t'all& $elpin5
eac$ ot$er, "i" t$en an" t$ere %ilf'll&, 'nla%f'll&, an" felonio'!l& t$ro'5$ force, t$reat! an" inti)i"ation, 8i"nap ELB,RA #AFA4A 4E 1R,NC,1E an" CAR2EN NOCE#O, ta8e an" carr& t$e) a%a& fro) t$eir "%ellin5! to an 'nin$abite" far "i!tant fore!t in t$e )o'ntain of Bon"oc 1enin!'la for 18 "a&! confine)ent 'n"er t$eir c'!to"& an" control for t$e p'rpo!e of "e)an"in5 ran!o) in t$e a)o'nt of +,+#7 #@O63AN4 1E3O3 :1>/,///.//; 1$ilippine c'rrenc&, %$ic$ t$e !ai" Acc'!e" "i" in fact recei e on t$e 16t$ "a& of 2arc$ 19>6 in con!i"eration of %$ic$ a)o'nt !ai" 8i"nappe" per!on! %ere relea!e" to t$e "a)a5e an" preA'"ice of t$e !ai" offen"e" partie! in t$e !ai" a)o'nt. #$at t$e follo%in5 a55ra atin5 circ')!tance! are pre!ent in t$e co))i!!ion of t$e offen!e0 :1; 3'perior !tren5t$G :2; in ban"G :*; '!e of 'nlicen!e" firear)!G :4; in an 'nin$abite" placeG an" :>; '!e of Ar)& 'nifor)! an" ot$er in!i5nia! for "i!5'i!e. 6pon arrai5n)ent on No e)ber 29, 19>6, acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a ref'!e" to )a8e an& plea to t$e infor)ation a5ain!t $i)G $ence, t$e trial co'rt entere" for $i) a plea of Hnot 5'ilt&.H @i! petition for bail $a" been "enie"G an" !ince t$en, (o!e E!tra"a $a! re)aine" in confine)ent. O'r o%n e<a)ination of t$e recor" re eale" t$at t$e ca!e of t$e 1eople %a! e!tabli!$e" t$r' t$e te!ti)onie! of 12 pro!ec'tion %itne!!e!, na)el&0 El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe an" Car)en Noceto, t$e 8i"nap icti)!G Re&nal"o 1rincipe, El iraI! $'!ban"G 2arciano 1rincipe, Re&nal"oI! fat$erG 1etra 2a=e5o, Ba!ilio An5'lo, Beato Glino5a an" (e!'! Letar5o %$o all $a" !o)et$in5 to "o %it$ t$e ne5otiation! bet%een t$e 8i"napper! an" t$e fa)il& of t$e icti)!, %$ic$ le" to t$eir !'b!eJ'ent relea!e of t$e 8i"nappe" icti)!G Antonio Ca)paniero an" ('lio Ceribo %$o %ere bot$ "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation to be 'tili.e" a! !tate %itne!!e!G Gon.alo 2allare, a! a5ain!t %$o) t$e ca!e %a! "i!)i!!e" for in!'fficienc&
of e i"enceG an" Col. +ranci!co "el Ca!tillo, 1ro incial Co))an"er of -'e.on at t$e ti)e t$e infor)ation in t$i! ca!e %a! file" in co'rt. 3trippe" of 'ne!!ential "etail!, t$e te!ti)onie! of t$e principal %itne!!e! )a& in"i i"'all& be !'))ari.e" a! follo%!0 ES /01$2 1" E34/-A A5ADA DE P-/$C/PE: El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe %a! in!i"e $er !tore on t$e 5ro'n" floor of t$e $o'!e of $er fat$er-in-la% in G')aca, -'e.on, at abo't 40 // oIcloc8 in t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6. 3$e %a! b'!& e!ti)atin5 $er la'n"r& bill!. #$ree :*; )en %earin5 'nifor)! !i)ilar to t$o!e %orn b& !ol"ier! in t$e ar)& arri e" an" entere" $er !tore. One of t$e) fir!t inJ'ire" for t$e price of a pac8 of HC$el!eaH ci5arette!, an" t$en a!8e" for one. A! El ira reac$e" for t$e pac8 of ci5arette!, t$e ot$er t%o !'""enl& 5rabbe" $er $an"! an" pointe" t$eir pi!tol! to $er. #$e& p'lle" $er o't of t$e !tore an" "ra55e" $er to%ar"! t$e bo"e5a of $er fat$er-in-la%, 2arciano 1rincipe, an" t$en on to t$e railroa" trac8 5oin5 to t$e "irection of t$e ele)entar& !c$ool of t$e to%n. #$e t%o 'nifor)e" )en %ere later !'b!tit'te" b& t%o ot$er! in ci ilian clot$e! %$o, after $ol"in5 El ira b& t$e $an" on eac$ !i"e, contin'e" r'nnin5 %it$ $er t$ro'5$ t$e cocon't plantation! to%ar" t$e )o'ntain!. #$ere %ere 5'n fire! t$at follo%e", b't t$e )en contin'e" r'nnin5, ta8in5 El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe alon5 %it$ t$e). #$e& tol" $er not to be afrai", a! t$e& %ere A'!t )a8in5 a H!$o%H. #$e& !toppe" r'nnin5, $o%e er, %$en t$e firin5 cea!e"G an" !oon ot$er per!on! ca)e r'nnin5 to%ar"! t$e) an" Aoine" t$eir 5ro'p. One of t$e) 5a e El ira a pair of !$oe! an" !toc8in5!. 3$e p't t$e) on before t$e& contin'e" t$eir %a&, "eeper into t$e )o'ntain. #$e lea"er or"ere" t%o of $i! )en to b'& brea" for El ira, b't t$e& %ere not able to b'& an&. ,n!tea", !$e %a! 5i en can"&. #$en t$e& contin'e" %al8in5 all t$ro'5$ t$e ni5$t !toppin5 onl& at )i""a& of t$e 28t$ of +ebr'ar& %$en t$e& reac$e" a !a%)ill !ite. +ro) t$ere, t$e& contin'e" %al8in5 a5ain at "a%n of t$e follo%in5 "a& 'ntil t$e& ca)e 'pon a copra 8ilnG an" t$ere t$e )en prepare" foo". #$ereafter, t$e& contin'e" $i8in5 once a5ain
'ntil t$e& reac$e" t$e @'8 lair!. #$ere %ere fi e $'t! at t$e place, all %it$o't %all!. El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe an" Car)en Noceto %ere 8ept in t$e one locate" at t$e center for t%o %ee8!. #$ere %ere !i<teen :16; )en in t$e 5ro'p t$at too8 El ira an" Car)en to t$e )o'ntain!, incl'"in5 t$e t$ree :*; %$o ori5inall& too8 El ira o't of $er !tore in G')aca. El ira ca)e to 8no% t$eir na)e! beca'!e t$e& $a" na)eplate! on t$eir brea!t!. #$e lea"er K %$o earlier a!8e" for a pac8 of HC$el!eaH ci5arette! at $er !tore K %a! Lt. Alcantara, %$ile t$o!e %$o "ra55e" $er o't of t$e !tore %ere Go)e. an" 2en"o.a. Not lon5 after t$eir arri al at t$e place of t$e $'t!, t$e 8i"napper! "i i"e" into t%o 5ro'p!. Lt. Alcantara !oon left t$e place %it$ !e en :9; )en, lea in5 t$e ei5$t :8; ot$er! to 5'ar" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe an" Car)en Noceto. #$e!e )en left be$in" %ere La"re!, Ba&a!, Go)e., #orre!, 4e Leon, Billa.ar, 4el5a"o an" 2en"o.a. Lt. Alcantara an" ('lio Ceribo ca)e bac8 to t$e place e er& no% an" t$en, brin5in5 foo" an" letter! fro) El iraI! $'!ban". After t$e lap!e of abo't t%o %ee8!, Lt. Alcantara finall& tol" El ira t$at !$e %o'l" be relea!e". @e !$o%e" $er letter! fro) $er $'!ban", $er fat$er an" $er brot$er. An" on 2arc$ 1>, t$e& left t$e $'t! at abo't 110// oIcloc8 in t$e )ornin5, %it$ Car)en Noceto an" ot$er!. #$e& )o e" to anot$er place %$ere t$e& %aite" for Lt. AlcantaraI! ot$er co)panion!. ,n "'e ti)e, t$e& arri e", an" El ira an" Car)en Noceto %ere t$en ta8en to anot$er place %$ic$ t$e& reac$e" after abo't an $o'rI! %al8. #$ere t$e& )et An5'lo, Letar5o, Erea an" +rancia %$o $a" co)e all t$e %a& fro) G')aca an" bro'5$t t$e 1>/,///.// ran!o) )one&. El ira co'nte" t$e )one&, t$en "eli ere" t$e !a)e to Lt. Alcantara. #$ereafter, El ira an" Car)en Noceto %ere relea!e". #$e& %ere not acco)panie" b& an&one of t$e 8i"napper!. Lt. Alcantara )erel& in!tr'cte" t$e) to follo% t$e co'r!e of a ri er 'ntil t$e& co'l" !ee a $o'!e, an" t$ere to fin" one %$o co'l" 5'i"e t$e) to Barrio 2a5i!ian, Lope., -'e.on. #$e& follo%e" t$e!e in!tr'ction! an" reac$e" t$e roa" in
> Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
!ai" barrio, %$ere t$e& %ere pic8e" 'p b& a !tation %a5on %$ic$ too8 t$e) bac8 to G')aca at abo't >0// oIcloc8 in t$e afternoon of 2arc$ 16, 19>6. ES /01$2 1" CA-0E$ $1CE 1: ,n t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6, Car)en Noceto %a! at t$e $o'!e of $er !i!ter near t$e ele)entar& !c$ool in G')aca. 3$e !a% t%o per!on! r'nnin5 on t$e railroa" trac8, lea"in5 El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe b& t$e $an"!. 3'""enl&, a H!ol"ierH, al!o on t$e railroa" trac8 an" calle" $er o't of t$e $o'!e. 1ointin5 $i! 5'n at $er, t$e H!ol"ierH p'lle" $er b& t$e $an" an" "ra55e" $er alon5, tellin5 $er t$at !$e %o'l" A'!t acco)pan& El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe. 3$e co'l" not ref'!eG !$e %a! 5reatl& terrifie". @er fat$er %$o %a! t$en pre!ent %a! !t'nne" for t$e H!ol"ierH al!o pointe" $i! 5'n at $i). 3$e %a! ta8en, alon5 %it$ t$e 5ro'p of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, to t$e far a%a& )o'ntain! !$e $a" ne er reac$e" before. #$e& %al8e" all ni5$t, t$en for t%o "a&! )ore, re!tin5 onl& %$en t$e& too8 t$eir )eal!. #$e& finall& !toppe" %al8in5, onl& %$en t$e& reac$e" a place %$ere t$ere %ere fi e $'t! %it$o't %all!. 3$e an" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe %ere 8ept in one of t$e!e $'t! to5et$er "'rin5 t$e ei5$teen "a&! t$at t$e& %ere $el" in capti it& b& t$eir 8i"napper!. #$e& %ere allo%e" to 5o $o)e onl& after t$e arri al of t$e 1>/,///.// ran!o) )one& %$ic$ %a! bro'5$t b& 2anolin5 Letar5o, Ba!ilio An5'lo an" t%o ot$er! %$o) !$e "i" not 8no%. Before t$eir relea!e, t$e& %ere 5'ar"e" b& !e eral )en, a)on5 t$e) 4e Leon, An5elo Beran C Billa.ar, Antonio Ca)paniero C Nel!on an" ('lio Ceribo C ('l&. Car)en Noceto "i" not 8no% El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe before t$e 8i"nappin5. 3$e ca)e to 8no% $er onl& %$en t$e& %ere 8ept to5et$er in one $'t in t$e )o'ntain!. #$e& beca)e inti)ate %it$ one anot$er later, an" El ira allo%e" $er to rea" t$e letter! !ent to $er b& $er $'!ban" %$ile !$e an" El ira %ere $el" capti e!. ES /01$2 1" 6EA 1 G3/$1GA:
Beato Glino5a %a! a!leep in $i! $o'!e in Barrio Billa #a=a"a, G')aca, on t$e ni5$t of 2arc$ 4, 19>6, %$en $e %a! a%a8ene" b& $i! barrio)ate, Leon Cal elo. #$e for)er %a! infor)e" b& t$e latter t$at !o)e !ol"ier! %ante" to !ee $i). Glino5a obli5e", an" %ent %it$ Cal elo to t$e latterI! place %$ic$ %a! abo't $alf a 8ilo)eter a%a&, to )eet t$e !ol"ier! referre" to b& Cal elo. @e "i" )eet t$e) at t$e place %$ic$ %a! "ar8G !o )'c$ !o t$at alt$o $e !po8e %it$ one of t$e !'ppo!e" H!ol"ier!H, Glino5a %a! not able to reco5ni.e an& of t$e). Ne ert$ele!!, t$e per!on %it$ %$o) Glino5a !po8e intro"'ce" $i)!elf a! Lt. Alcantara, at t$e !a)e ti)e i"entif&in5 $i)!elf an" $i! co)panion! a! t$e one! %$o $a" 8i"nappe" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe. Lt. Alcantara t$en a!8e" Glino5a if $e co'l" "eli er a letter to t$e 1rincipe! in G')aca, to %$ic$ Glino5a con!ente". Lt. Alcantara %arne" $i) not to re eal t$at $e $a" !een t$e) to an&bo"&. @e al!o in!tr'cte" Glino5a to !ee acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a fir!t before "eli erin5 t$e letter, !o t$at $e :E!tra"a; co'l" acco)pan& $i) to t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe!, an" t$en to t$e )o'ntain! in Billa #a=a"a %$ere Lt. Alcantara %o'l" )eet t$e) later, for accor"in5 to t$e letter, E!tra"a 8ne% %$at it i! all abo't. Glino5a %a! %arne" f'rt$er, t$at !$o'l" $e fail to contact E!tra"a, $e !$o'l" not tell an&bo"& abo't it, b't !$o'l" procee" "irectl& to t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe! in G')aca, an" t$en )eet $i) :Lt. Alcantara; later in t$e )o'ntain!. 1'r!'ant to !'c$ in!tr'ction!, Glino5a left Billa #a=a"a earl& t$e follo%in5 )ornin5 an" procee"e" to t$e to%n of G')aca, to "eli er Lt. AlcantaraI! letter to t$e 1rincipe!. @e trie" to locate E!tra"a %$en $e reac$e" t$e to%n, b't $e %a! not able to fin" $i)G !o, Glino5a %ent "irectl& to t$e $o'!e of 2arciano 1rincipe an" "eli ere" t$e letter to t$e ol" )an in t$e pre!ence of t$e ot$er )e)ber! of t$e fa)il&. 2arciano 1rincipe i))e"iatel& prepare" a letter in an!%er to Lt. AlcantaraI! note. @e t$en 5a e it to Ba!ilio An5'lo %$o %a! at t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe! at t$e ti)e, reJ'e!tin5 An5'lo to 5o %it$ Glino5a bac8 to Billa #a=a"a an" !ee
Lt. Alcantara. An5'lo a5ree". @e %ent %it$ Glino5a to t$e )o'ntain! in Billa #a=a"a. #$e& reac$e" t$e @'8 lair! at abo't 90// oIcloc8 in t$e e enin5 of t$at !a)e "a&, an" t$e& %ere )et b& Lt. Alcantara after Glino5a $a" !i5nalle" t$ree ti)e! %it$ $i! fla!$li5$t. Ba!ilio An5'lo t$en $a" a conference %it$ t$e @'8 lea"er. A!8e" b& one of Lt. AlcantaraI! )en %$ere acc'!e" E!tra"a %a!, Glino5a 5a e t$e infor)ation t$at $e %a! not able to fin" $i) in to%n. ES /01$2 1" A$ 1$/1 CA0PA$/E-1 7 $E3S1$ DE -1SAS: Antonio Ca)paniero Aoine" t$e @'8bala$ap or5ani.ation on A'5'!t 2>, 19>2, 'n"er t$e @'8 na)e C Nel!on. @e !er e" 'n"er ario'! @'8 Co))an"er! in t$e fiel". +ro) 19>> 'p to t$e ti)e of $i! !'rren"er on ('l& 18, 19>6, $e %a! 'n"er t$e co))an" of @'8 Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on, $ea" of t$e Or5ani.er! Bri5a"e :OB;, operatin5 near t$e )o'ntain! of G')aca, -'e.on. 3o)eti)e "'rin5 t$e fir!t %ee8 of +ebr'ar&, 19>6, Co)"r. #e""& or"ere" Nel!on an" anot$er @'8, C +re"o, to contact t$e acc'!e", Co'ncilor (o!e E!tra"a of G')aca, an" infor) t$e latter t$at @'8 Lt. Alcantara :$ea" of t$e H#a"ta" 6nit or G-2enH; an" Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on %ante" to )eet $i) :E!tra"a; in Barrio Bi5a. Nel!on an" +re"o co)plie" %it$ t$e or"erG +re"o tal8e" %it$ E!tra"a in G')aca, a! Nel!on !too" 5'ar". E!tra"a !$o%e" 'p in Barrio Bi5a, t$ree "a&! later, at abo't 20// oIcloc8 in t$e afternoon. A!i"e fro) Lt. Alcantara an" acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a, t$ere %ere ot$er @'8! pre!ent "'rin5 t$e )eetin5, a)on5 t$e), Co)"r. #e""&, Co)"r. E)&, C Ro)&, C +re"o, C ('l&, C 3onia an" C Nel!on. E!tra"a %a! a!8e" b& Lt. Alcantara %$o t$e ric$e!t )an in G')aca %a!, an" t$e for)er an!%ere" t$at H$e %o'l" !'55e!t t$e 1rincipe fa)il&H :an, maimumun,ka!i ko po a8 an, pamil8a Principe;. A!8e" b& Lt. Alcantara if $e %a! referrin5 to Re&nal"o 1rincipe, E!tra"a an!%ere" t$at if Re&nal"o 1rincipe %ere t$e one to be
8i"nappe", it %o'l" be "iffic'lt for t$e fa)il& to ran!o) $i) for t$e rea!on t$at )o!t of t$e propertie! of t$e 1rincipe! %ere in $i! na)e. ,n!tea", acc'!e" E!tra"a reco))en"e" $i! %ife, El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, %$o co'l" ea!il& be ran!o)e". Lt. Alcantara a5ree" to t$e !'55e!tion of E!tra"a !a&in5, Hif t$at i! t$e ca!e, &e!, an" &o' %ill be infor)e" %$en t$e 8i"nappin5 %ill ta8e place,H to %$ic$ E!tra"a an!%ere"0 HAll t$e ti)e &o' can "epen" 'pon )e.H E!tra"a t$en left t$e place t$at !a)e afternoon at abo't >0// cloc8, after $e an" Lt. Alcantara $a" tal8e" abo't politic!. 3o)eti)e t$ereafter, Co)"r. #e""& infor)e" Nel!on t$at t$e latter, to5et$er %it$ ot$er! in t$eir 6nit, %o'l" be Hborro%e"H b& Lt. Alcantara to !'pple)ent t$e )en of t$e H#a"ta" 6nitH an" Aoin t$e) in t$e e<ec'tion of t$e plan to 8i"nap El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe. An" t$encefort$, Nel!on be5an recei in5 or"er! "irectl& fro) Lt. Alcantara. ,n t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6, Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en ca)e "o%n fro) Barrio Bi5a an" entere" t$e to%n proper of G')aca, -'e.on. Alia! E!!i, C Lorin5 an" C Nel!on !too" 5'ar" near t$e railroa" !tation. After ta8in5 El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, t$e& fle" an" %ent t$ro'5$ t$e )o'ntain! for t$ree "a&! an" t$ree ni5$t!, %it$ !$ort !top! to re!t at !o)e point! on t$e %a&. #$e& $i" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe in Barrio La5'io bet%een t$e )'nicipalitie! of Lope., G')aca an" 2acalelon. Car)en Noceto %a! al!o ta8en b& t$e) to t$e )o'ntain! %it$ El ira t$at !a)e "a&. On ('l& 18, 19>6, C Nel!on !'rren"ere" to t$e a't$oritie!. @e "i" not 8no% t$en %$at t$e penalt& for 8i"nappin5 for ran!o) %a!. @e %a! in e!ti5ate" in Ca)p Nati i"a" on ('l& 22. @a in5 A'!t !'rren"ere" t$en, $e %a! afrai" to be i)plicate" in t$e 1rincipe 8i"nappin5 t$erein. Later, $e %a! in e!ti5ate" a5ain in L'cena. @e t$en "eci"e" to tell t$e tr't$ an" "i" not )in" an&)ore t$e con!eJ'ence!. @e 5a e $i! !tate)ent :E<$. L; %$erein $e re eale" $i! participation in t$e 1rincipe 8i"nappin5 ca!e an" t$e role pla&e"
t$erein b& acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a, on 3epte)ber >, 19>6. @a in5 8no%n t$e tr't$ fro) t$e !ai" !tate)ent, bot$ t$e in e!ti5ator an" t$e pro!ec'tor t$en tol" Nel!on t$at $e %o'l" be a %itne!! a5ain!t E!tra"a after $i! "i!c$ar5e fro) t$e infor)ation. @e %a! later arrai5ne" on No e)ber 2/, 19>6. ,n t$e )ont$ of (an'ar&, 19>9, Antonio Nie a, brot$er of t$en C$ief of 1olice, Ricar"o Nie a of 1a!a& Cit&, )et C Nel!on near t$e $o'!e of Col. "el Ca!tillo, 1ro incial Co))an"er of -'e.on. #$e& $a" a !ort of conference. Nie a pro)i!e" Nel!on to %or8 o't $i! ca!e %it$ 2alaca=an5, !$o'l" $e a5ree not to te!tif& a5ain!t E!tra"a in co'rt. Nie a 'r5e" $i) to "en& t$e tr't$ of $i! !tate)ent :E<$. L; %$en t$e trial co)e!, an" to te!tif& t$at $e $a" e<ec'te" it onl& beca'!e $e $a" been )altreate", re%ar"e" an" 5i en pro)i!e!. Nie a 5a e $i) 12/.// on t$at occa!ion. Nel!on at fir!t "enie" $a in5 %ritten E<$ibit 2 :a letter !i5ne" b& Nel!on a""re!!e" to E!tra"a, on (an'ar& 24, 19>9;, %$erein Nel!on appear! to be tellin5 E!tra"a t$at t$e& %ere t$en in a ba" fi<G t$at Col. Ca!tillo $a" co)e to 8no% t$at Con5re!!)an Roce! of t$e CA+A %a! co)in5 to !ee t$e), an" $e belie e" t$at E!tra"a %a! t$e one %$o $a" %ritten t$e con5re!!)an, an" t$en ca'!e" Nel!on an" $i! co)panion! to )a8e a Ht'rn abo'tGH t$at beca'!e of t$at !'!picion of Col. Ca!tillo, t$e& %ere no lon5er per)itte" to tal8 %it$ an& i!itor!G t$at Nel!on, Gre5ana an" 1e"ro 2a!il'n5an K E!tra"aI! for)er a" er!arie! in t$e Barretto ca!e K $a e all a5ree" to )a8e a Ht'rnabo'tH, an" t$at t$e +i!cal $a" been infor)e" t$at t$e& reall& "i" not 8no% E!tra"a. Later, $o%e er, $e a")itte" t$at $e %a! t$e one %$o %rote it. On (an'ar& 2>, 19>9, Nel!on !ent E!tra"a anot$er letter, E<$ibit * :Nel!on appear! to be 'r5in5 E!tra"a to %rite an" co)plain to t$e CA+AG to 5i e t$e) $elp !o t$at t$e& )a& be able to "en& t$e tr't$ of t$eir H!tate)ent!H %$ic$ t$e 1C in e!ti5ation! $a" force" t$e) to !i5nG an" to reJ'e!t Nie a to interce"e in t$eir be$alf in 2alaca=an5 in or"er to p't an en" to t$e "oin5! of t$e 1ro incial Co))an"er in -'e.on;. On (an'ar&
29, 19>9, Nel!on %rote anot$er letter, E<$ibit 1/ :!t&le" Hto %$o) it )a& concern,H Nel!on appear! to be "eclarin5 $ere t$at $e an" $i! co)panion! 8ne% not$in5 abo't t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira 1rincipe, )'c$ le!!, t$e alle5e" conference %it$ E!tra"a re5ar"in5 t$e !a)eG t$at t$e& !i5ne" t$eir H!tate)ent!H onl& beca'!e t$e& $a e been t$reatene", t$e in e!ti5ator! tellin5 t$e) t$at t$e& %o'l" be pro!ec'te" if t$e& %o'l" not cooperate %it$ t$e Go ern)entG t$at t$e& $a" been reJ'ire" to "rin8 plent& of %aterG t$at t$e& $a" been )a"e to te!tif& a5ain!t per!on! li8e E!tra"a, %it$ t$e pro)i!e of a bri5$t f't're an" of )one&G an" t$at Col. Ca!tillo %a! reall& )a" at Nie a. Nel!on appear! to be reJ'e!tin5 Antonio Nie a al!o for Hci5arette )one&H an" for $i! letter! to be ret'rne" to $i);. Nel!on %rote anot$er letter on t$e !a)e "ate, %$ic$ $e !i5ne" %it$ t$e na)e of 1e"ro 2a!il'n5an. :#$i! letter, E<$. 1, p'rport! to !$o% t$at 1e"ro 2a!il'n5an $a" al!o been force" to !i5n $i! H!tate)entH an" to te!tif& a5ain!t E!tra"a b& Capt. Eita;. Nel!on e<plaine" t$at $e %rote to E!tra"a beca'!e $e $a" been coerce" b& t%o in!'lar pri!oner! %$o %ere allo%e" to enter $i! cell, %arnin5 $i) t$at $i! life %o'l" be in "an5er, !$o'l" $e fail to "o !o. @e %rote E<$. * onl& after t$e !ai" pri!oner! $a" tal8e" to $i) an" to 2elc$or Gre5ana an" ('lio Ceribo %$o %ere %it$ $i) in t$e !a)e cell at t$e ti)e. A fe% "a&! t$ereafter, probabl& on (an'ar& *1, 19>9, Nel!on, alon5 %it$ ('lio Ceribo, C 3onia, 1e"ro 2a!il'n5an, Antonio Batane! an" ot$er!, %a! ta8en b& Col. Ca!tillo before Col. 7an at Ca)p Cra)e. @e t$en affir)e" t$e tr't$ of t$e content! of $i! !tate)ent! :E<$. L; before t$e !ai" official. @e "i" t$e !a)e %$en $e %a! ta8en before General Cabal %$o e<a)ine" $i) on t$e !ai" !tate)ent. @e, li8e%i!e, affir)e" t$e tr't$ t$ereof before 1re!i"ent Ra)on 2a5!a&!a& before %$o) $e %a! !een in t$e office of 3ecretar& Balao at Ca)p 2'rp$&. @e "i" not )ention t$e letter! $e $a" %ritten to E!tra"a t$en, beca'!e t$e content! of !ai" letter! %ere fal!e an" $e %a! afrai" to tell an& lie! before t$e $i5$e!t a't$orit&
of t$e lan". @e !tate" in t$o!e letter! t$at $e "i" not 8no% E!tra"a, beca'!e $e )erel& %ante" to )a8e E!tra"a belie e t$at $e %o'l" reall& )a8e a Ht'rn abo'tH. B't t$e !a)e i! fal!eG it %a! onl& t$e i"ea of Antonio Nie a. Nie a $a" tol" t$e) t$at E!tra"a %a! e er %illin5 to 5i e t$e) $elp, t$at i! %$& Nel!on an" $i! co)panion! a5ree" to )'lct $i). #$'!, in one of t$e !ai" letter!, Nel!on $a" a!8e" E!tra"a for Hci5arette! )one&H. Nel!on $a" been "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation on 2arc$ 2/, 19>9G b't $e %a! !till 'n"er 1C c'!to"& beca'!e $e $a" "e)an"e" !'c$ protection pen"in5 t$e ter)ination of t$e ca!e. ES /01$2 1" JU3/1 CE-/61: ('lio Ceribo te!tifie" t$at $e %a! a !'rren"ere" @'8G $e Aoine" t$e @'8bala$ap! in 1946G $e !er e" 'n"er ario'! @'8 Co))an"er! in t$e fiel"G in 19>*, $e %a! a!!i5ne" a! a )e)ber of t$e 'nit K $ea"e" b& Lt. Alcantara K %it$ t$e ol" )an 2ateo "el Ca!tillo, t$e $i5$e!t in co))an"G $e 8ne% abo't t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe beca'!e $e %a! %it$ Lt. Alcantara %$en t$e& 8i"nappe" $erG b't e en before t$e act'al 8i"nappin5, $e alrea"& 8ne% abo't it beca'!e t$ere %a! a conference in Barrio Bi5a %$ere it %a! a5ree" to 8i"nap $er beca'!e !$e %a! t$e one pointe" to b& E!tra"aG fir!t, Lt. Alcantara approac$e" Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on, an" t$en t$e latter or"ere" @'8! Nel!on an" +re"o to contact E!tra"a in t$e poblacionG t$ree "a&! after, E!tra"a ca)e to Barrio Bi5a an" conferre" %it$ Lt. Alcantara, Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on, Co)"r. E)& an" ot$er!G E!tra"a %a! a!8e" b& Lt. Alcantara t$en a! to %$o %a! t$e ric$e!t in G')aca, an" E!tra"a !'55e!te" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe beca'!e !$e co'l" ea!il& be ran!o)e"G E!tra"a e<plaine" t$at if it %ere $er $'!ban" to be 8i"nappe", it %o'l" be $ar" for t$e fa)il& to ran!o) $i) beca'!e t$e propertie! of t$e 1rincipe! %ere in t$e na)e of El iraI! $'!ban", Re&nal"o 1rincipeG Lt. Alcantara a5ree", an" abo't one %ee8 after t$at conference, t$e& ca)e "o%n to G')aca an" too8 El iraG $e !too" 5'ar" in one of t$e !treet! in
t$e to%n "'rin5 t$e 8i"nappin5G one of $i! co)panion! too8 alon5 Car)en Noceto on t$e %a& !o t$at El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe %o'l" $a e a co)panionG it %a! abo't >0 // oIcloc8 in t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6, %$en t$e& 8i"nappe" El iraG t$ere %ere 16 of t$e) %$o e<ec'te" t$e !ai" 8i"nappin5, a)on5 t$e), Lt. Alcantara, Nato, 2i8e, @elin5, Nel!on, E)ilia, Car"in5, 1a&at, Efren, anot$er Efren an" 4el 2oroG t$e& too8 El ira an" Car)en to t$e )o'ntain! bet%een 2acalelon an" Lope., -'e.onG t$e& $i" t$e) t$ere for t%o %ee8! in one of fi e $'t! t$e& b'iltG El ira %a! later ran!o)e" b& $er $'!ban"G Ba!ilio An5'lo an" t$ree ot$er per!on! bro'5$t t$e ran!o) )one& of 1>/,///.//, after %$ic$ bot$ El ira an" Car)en Noceto %ere relea!e"G t$e& 8i"nappe" El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe beca'!e t$e& %ere in nee" of a lar5e !') of )one&G on A'5'!t 9, 19>6, $e %a! %it$ t$e @'8! t$at $a" an enco'nter %it$ t$e 5o ern)ent force! in 6!i%an L'cban, -'e.onG t$ere $e %a! %o'n"e" in t$e ri5$t foot, an" !oon, 'nable to %it$!tan" t$e "epri ation! an&)ore, $e "eci"e" to $a e a Hne% lifeHG $e propo!e" to !'rren"er to t$e 2a&or of 2aAa&Aa&, La5'na, t$r' t$e interce!!ion of ('an C'ate! of Barrio BotocanG $e $a" no c$ance to tal8 %it$ t$e 2a&or, $o%e er, beca'!e %$en t$e& ca)e to 5et $i), t$e BC# !ol"ier! %ere t$e one! %$o 5ot $ol" of $i) fir!t, an" t$e& too8 $i) "irectl& to t$eir $ea"J'arter! in 2aAa&Aa& La5'naG fro) t$ere, $e %a! ta8en to Canl'ban5 %$ere $e %a! J'e!tione" a! to %$en $e fir!t Aoine" t$e @'8!G t$en $e %a! tran!ferre" to L'cena Cit& %$ere $e %a! in e!ti5ate" b& E""ie Rec'encoG after t$at $e %a! bro'5$t to t$e Co'rt of +ir!t ,n!tance of 3an 1ablo %$ere $e %a! c$ar5e" of rebellionG b't later $e %a! "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation t$r' t$e effort! of $i! brot$er %$o !ec're" t$e !er ice! of Att&. Ribon5G $i! brot$er !$o%e" to $i) $i! "i!c$ar5e paper!, b't $e %a! !till 8ept in t$e !toc8a"e at L'cena Cit& %it$ Nel!on, $e %a! not relea!e"G an" %$en $e %a! in e!ti5ate" t$ere in connection %it$ t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, $e $a" to a")itG at fir!t $e %ante" to "en& it, b't %$en Nel!on pointe" to $i), $e %a! fri5$tene" an" $a" to tell t$e tr't$ K t$at $e %a! %it$ t$e 5ro'p t$at 8i"nappe" El ira K t$at i! %$& $e %a! incl'"e" in t$e infor)ation in t$i! ca!eG b't
Att&. Gon.ale!G $e plea"e" Hnot 5'ilt&H to t$e c$ar5e beca'!e $e 8ne% t$at 8i"nappin5 i! a er& !erio'! cri)e, for e en 'p in t$e )o'ntain! t$e& $a" been tol"G t$at t$e penalt& for 8i"nappin5 %a! !e ere an" H%e $a" better be "ea" t$an ca'5$t ali eGH b't t$e tr't$ i! $e %a! reall& %it$ t$e 8i"napper! %$o too8 El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipeG $e 8ne% Att&. +ranco, t$e latter intro"'ce" $i)!elf to $i) an" tol" $i) t$at $e %a! $i! co'n!elG t$e& fir!t )et in L'cena Cit&, t$en for a n')ber of ti)e! later in G')aca, -'e.on %$ere t$e& tal8e" abo't $i! ca!eG $e tol" $i) :Att&. +ranco; t$at $e co'l" not "en& t$e circ')!tance! beca'!e t$e& %ere all tr'eG t$e& )et a5ain after t$at in t$e !toc8a"e in L'cena %$en Att&. +ranco bro'5$t !o)e t&pe%riter paper! %$ic$ $e %a! a!8e" to !i5nG t$e paper! :E<$. 16; %a! !$o%n to $i), b't $e %o'l" $ar"l& rea" it beca'!e it %a! $el" b& Att&. +ranco far fro) $i! faceG t$e& %ere in t$e 8itc$en of t$e !toc8a"e t$en, an" Att&. +ranco tol" $i) to !i5n it at once beca'!e t$e !ol"ier! )i5$t co)eG $e in!i!te" t$at $e !$o'l" !i5n it beca'!e $e %a! $i! la%&er, an" it %a! for $i! benefit K for $i! acJ'ittalG b't $e $a" no $an" in t$e preparation of t$at "oc')ent, an" it! content! are not tr'eG $e )et Att&. +ranco a5ain in 2aAa&Aa& later %$en $e %a! 5rante" lea eG Att&. +ranco in!tr'cte" $i) to 5o to 2anila beca'!e $e %o'l" prepare an affi"a it, b't $e "i" not 5o t$ere, $e left 2aAa&Aa& i))e"iatel& e en if $e $a" not f'll& enAo&e" $i! 19-"a& lea eG $e later tol" Capt. AleAo :5o ern)ent pro!ec'tor; t$at Att&. +ranco $a" )a"e $i) !i5n E<$. 16G it! content!, e<cept for $i! a5e, are not tr'eG for t$e tr't$ i! t$at $e 8ne% e er&t$in5 abo't t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipeG t$e "oc')ent %a! alrea"& prepare" %$en it %a! !$o%n to $i) b& Att&. +ranco, an" t$e latter co)pelle" $i) to !i5n itG %$en $e %a! at t$e !toc8a"e in L'cena %it$ Nel!on, $e 8ne% t$at Nel!on %a! %rittin5 letter!, an" t$at $e :Nel!on; %a! !i5n t$eir na)e! on t$e letter!, b't Nel!on ne er !$o%e" t$e letter! to $i)G $e ca)e to 8no% t$e letter! to acc'!e" E!tra"a onl& %$en t$e !ai" letter! %ere later "i!co ere"G $e 8ne% Col. 7an, $e %a! ta8en before $i) at Ca)p Cra)eG Col. 7an a!8e" $i) %$et$er or not $i! "eclaration! in $i! !tate)ent :E<$. @;
%ere tr'e, an" $e confir)e" t$e)G $e %a! ne<t ta8en before Gen. Cabal, before %$o) $e "eclare" t$at $e $a" e<ec'te" E<$. @ ol'ntaril&, i.e., t$at $e %a! not )altreate" b& t$e 1CG later $e %a! ta8en before t$e late 1re!i"ent 2a5!a&!a& in t$e office of t$e 3ecretar& Balao, an" t$ere, $e al!o affir)e" t$e tr't$ of $i! !tate)ent before t$e 1re!i"ent. ES /01$2 1" G1$9A31 0A33A-E: Gon.alo 2allare te!tifie" t$at $e %a! a for)er @'8, $e !'rren"ere" to t$e a't$oritie! on 2arc$ 2/, 19>9G $e Aoine" t$e @'8! in 2anila, a! earl& a! April, 1948G in 4ece)ber of t$at &ear, $e %a! appre$en"e" b& t$e 1C, an" %a! )altreate"G t$e& relea!e" $i), later, $o%e er, beca'!e t$e Co))'ni!t 1art& $a" t$en not &et been "eclare" ille5alG b't after t$at $e %ent 'p t$e )o'ntain!, an" fro) t$e po!ition of )ere cler8 in t$e 2anila office of t$e @'8!, $e ro!e to $i5$er po!ition!G $e %a! a5ain appre$en"e" b& t$e 1C in 1949, an" a5ain $e %a! relea!e" in +ebr'ar&, 19>/G t$ereafter, $e reAoine" t$e @'8! in t$e )o'ntain!G in 19>>, $e %a! e"'cational c$air)an of RECO 4 K c$ar5e" %it$ t$e "'t& of in"octrinatin5 t$e people %it$ t$e tenet! of t$e @2B, %$ic$ $e learne" fro) 4r. (e!'! La a K %it$ A'ri!"iction in t$e pro ince of Ri.al, $alf of La5'na, an" t$e %$ole pro ince of -'e.onG abo't 2a& 1, 19>4, a! $e an" $i! )en %ere pa!!in5 t$r' Barrio Labni5 G')aca, -'e.on, $e %a! intro"'ce" to acc'!e" E!tra"a b& @'8 Co)"r. #on& %$o %a! t$en operatin5 in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'laG E!tra"a tol" $i) t$en t$at $e %a! a frien" of t$e @'8! an" t$e ci ilian!, an" t$at $e %a! infl'ential %it$ t$e Ar)&G E!tra"a tol" $i) f'rt$er, t$at if $e co'l" be of $elp to $i), $e %o'l" "o itG re)e)berin5 t$at $e %a! in nee" of a t&pe%riter an" a )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine t$en, $e a!8e" E!tra"a if $e co'l" $elp $i) proc're t$e) for $i), an" E!tra"a pro)i!e" to "o !oG in t$e afternoon of t$at !a)e "a&, $e 5a e 16>/.// K 1>//.// co)in5 fro) $i), an" 11>/.// co)in5 fro) Co)"r. Ono& K to Co)"r. 2atta, for "eli er& to E!tra"aG $e 8ne% t$at E!tra"a recei e" t$e )one& for, !oon, $e recei e" t$e
1/ Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
t&pe%riter an" t$e )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine, Co)"r. 2atta infor)in5 $i) t$en t$at E!tra"a $a" !ent $i) :2atta; a letter !tatin5 t$at t$e a)o'nt 5i en %a! 14*.// !$ort of t$e co!t of t$e t&pe%riter an" t$e )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine, a!i"e fro) t$e e<pen!e! of t$e t%o per!on! %$o $a" bro'5$t t$e)G t$i! t&pe%riter an" )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine $e acJ'ire" t$r' E!tra"aI! $elp, %a! "eli ere" b& $i) to t$e 26t$ BC# %$en $e !'rren"ere"G $e )et E!tra"a in abo't a %ee8 before +ebr'ar& 2*, 19>6, at noon, in Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, -'e.onG $e %a! %it$ Co)"r. #e""& t$en, in $i! %a& to contact a certain teac$er %$o $a" pre io'!l& pro)i!e" to $elp $i) b'& !o)e !'pplie!G $e faile" to contact t$e teac$er, an" a! $e approac$e" Lt. Alcantara to bi" $i) 5oo"b&e, $e $ear" t$e con er!ation bet%een Lt. Alcantara an" acc'!e" E!tra"aG Lt. Alcantara a!8e" E!tra"a if El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe %a! t$e ric$e!t %o)an in G')aca %$o co'l" be 8i"nappe", an" E!tra"a an!%ere" t$at !$e %a!G t$at %a! all t$at $e $ear"G Lt. Alcantara t$en borro%e" !o)e of $i! )en an" firear)!G an" %$en $i! )en reAoine" $i) later, t$e& reporte" to $i) t$at t$e& $a" participate" in t$e 8i"nappin5G $e recalle" t$at $e ca)e fro) Barrio 2ali)ati8, Lope., %$en $e %ent to Barrio Bi5a, G')acaG $e %a! %it$ Co)"r. E)&G t$o!e pre!ent in t$at )eetin5 in Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, -'e.on %ere E!tra"a, Lt. Alcantara, Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on, E)&, +re"o an" ot$er!G on 2arc$ 2/, 19>9, $e !'rren"ere" t$e follo%in5 "a& $i! affi"a it %a! ta8en b& an in e!ti5atorG it %a! a er& lon5 one, b't $e p'rpo!el& "i" not )a8e an& )ention abo't t$e )eetin5 in Bi5a, G')aca, %$ere $e !a% an" $ear" t$e con er!ation "'rin5 t$e )eetin5 bet%een E!tra"a an" Lt. Alcantara, beca'!e $e "i" not %ant $i! na)e lin8e" %it$ t$e latterG $e %ante" to a oi" an& )ention abo't t$e 8i"nappin5! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la, beca'!e $e feare" t$at $e %o'l" be incl'"e" in itG t$at i! %$&, %$en $e %a! ta8en before 3ecretar& Balao in Ca)p 2'rp$&, $e tol" $i) not to a!8 $i) abo't t$e 8i"nappin5G b't %$en $e later )et Antonio Ca)paniero C Nel!on, 2elc$or Gre5ana C Ron& an" ('lio Ceribo C ('l& %$o $a e 8no%le"5e of t$e !ecret! of t$e!e 8i"nappin5!, an" t$e
p'rc$a!e of t$e t&pe%riter an" t$e )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine t$r' E!tra"a, an" after 8no%in5 t$at Nel!on, Ceribo an" An5el Beran %ere alrea"& acc'!e" of t$e 8i"nappin5, $e "eci"e" to re eal t$e )atterG an" $e belie e" t$at if t$e 5o ern)ent %ere to be con ince" of $i! lo&alt& t$e& %o'l" reali.e t$at $e $a" not$in5 to "o %it$ all t$e 8i"nappin5! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'laG t$at i! %$&, !ince $i! !'rren"er, $e $a" been $elpin5 t$e Ar)&, in it! ca)pai5n for peace an" or"erG $e $a" contacte" $i! for)er co)panion! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la !o t$at t$e& )a& ret'rn an" li e peacef'll&G on No e)ber 29, 19>9, abo't 92 of t$e) !'rren"ere". Ot$er %itne!!e! te!tifie" for t$e pro!ec'tion, b't t$eir te!ti)onie! "eal lar5el& on $o% t$e ran!o) )one& of 1>/,///.// %a! finall& a5ree" 'pon an" "eli ere" to Lt. Alcantara t$r' co'rier!. #$r' t$e), t$e letter! of Lt. Alcantara to t$e 1rincipe! an" ice er!a :E<$ibit! A to E; an" t$e p$oto5rap$ of Lt. Alcantara :E<$. +; %ere i"entifie". #$i! pict're an" ot$er e<$ibit!, %$ere a")itte" a! e i"ence for t$e pro!ec'tion. "or !is defense* accused Jose Estrada "enie" $i! co)plicit& in t$e co))i!!ion of t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe in t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6. @e !%ore t$at $e $a" ne er been to Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, in t$e )ont$ of +ebr'ar&, 19>6, )'c$ le!! e er conferre" %it$ an& Lt. Alcantara for t$e alle5e" p'rpo!e of pointin5 to El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe a! t$e be!t 8i"nap icti) in G')aca. @i! te!ti)on& )a& be re"'ce" a! follo%!0 $e 8ne% El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipeG $er fa)il& %a! $i! nei5$bor!, an" $i! &o'n5er brot$er, +ernan"o, %a! t$e 5o"!on of El iraI! fat$erG $e %a! electe" co'ncilor of G')aca fro) 1948 to 19>1G a5ain $e %a! electe" co'ncilor for t$e ter) 19>6-196/G $e %a! a reco5ni.e" 5'errilla an" a pen!ioner of 6.3. Go ern)entG $e belon5e" to t$e follo%in5 ci ic or5ani.ation!0 1re!i"ent, G')aca Cl'b *9G ?or!$ipf'l 2a!ter of t$e 2a!on!G C$air)an, Bo& 3co't! Or5ani.ationG 1re!i"ent, 1#A 4i!trict lea5'eG 1re!i"ent :t%ice;, 1'ro8 Ca!tilloG Bice 1re!i"ent, (a&cee! of G')acaG C$air)an, Ci ilian Affair! Or5ani.ationG an"
Bice C$air)an, Re" Cro!! Ca)pai5n in 19>1 for -'e.on 1ro inceG t$e barrac8! of t$e 8t$ BC# in G')aca %a! con!tr'cte" t$ro'5$ $i)G $e %a! t$e )o in5 !pirit in t$e con!tr'ction of Ca)p Nati i"a" in 1948, %$ic$ no% $o'!e! t$e *8t$ 1C Co)pan&G $e Aoine" t$e pacification ca)pai5n in t$e to%n! of -'e.on %$ic$ bro'5$t abo't t$e !'rren"er of !e eral firear)!G $e e<erte" effort! for t$e con!tr'ction of t$e Ar)& Officer! -'arter! of t$e 26t$ BC# in Cala'a5, -'e.onG $e i! an infor)ant of t$e 1$ilippine Ar)&G a! !'c$ infor)ant, $e $a" ca'!e" t$e arre!t of !e eral per!on!G an" $e %a! co))en"e" b& Col. Balta.ar for $i! effort an" cooperation %it$ t$e Ar)&G $e ca)e to 8no% pro!ec'tion %itne!! Antonio Ca)paniero alia! Nel!on onl& in co'rt, an" it i! not tr'e t$at $e an" @'8 +re"o ca)e to $i! $o'!e to "eli er t$e )e!!a5e of Lt. AlcantaraG Nel!on !ent $i) letter! "'rin5 $i! confine)ent in t$e pro incial Aail of -'e.on, an" $e $a" !ent t$e), to Con5re!!)an Roce! of t$e CA+AG $e "i" not 8no% al!o @'8 Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on, for $e ca)e to 8no% $i) onl& in co'rtG #e""& Cora.on tol" $i) in Aail t$an t$at it %a! not tr'e t$at $e $a" in!tr'cte" @'8 Nel!on an" +re"o to !ee $i) beforeG on No e)ber 2>, 19>6, $e )et pro!ec'tion %itne!! ('lio Ceribo in Aail, an" t$e latter confe!!e" to $i) t$at $e :Ceribo; "i" not 8no% $i) :E!tra"a;, an" t$at Ceribo !ai" $e )erel& i)plicate" $i) beca'!e t$e 1C $a" force" $i) to incl'"e $i)G "etaine" pri!oner! G'tierre. an" 2an5'bat %ere pre!ent %$en Ceribo tol" $i) !oG $e li8e%i!e "i" not 8no% @'8 Gon.alo 2allare :pro!ec'tion %itne!!; before t$e trial, an" it i! not tr'e t$at t$e& )et eac$ ot$er beforeG t$ere i! no tr't$ in 2allareI! te!ti)on& t$at $e :acc'!e"; p'rc$a!e" a t&pe%riter an" a )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine for $i)G in fact, %$en $e learne" t$at t$e !ai" t&pe%riter an" a )i)eo5rap$in5 c$ine %a! loa"e" in one of $i! tr'c8! for "eli er& to t$e @'8!, $e infor)e" Captain 4a.a of t$e Ar)& abo't it, onl& t$at Capt. 4a.a $appene" not to be t$ere at t$e ti)eG t$ere i! al!o no tr't$ in t$e te!ti)on& of Beato Glino5aG t$i! pro!ec'tion %itne!!, a! a )atter of fact, be55e" $i! for5i ene!! after te!tif&in5 a5ain!t $i), %$en t$e& )et in t$e office of t$e C$ief of
1olice of G')acaG at t$e ti)e, Col. Ca!tillo ca)e alon5, an" fin"in5 t$e) to5et$er, t$re% o't Beato Glino5a an" t$en c$allen5e" $i) :E!tra"a; an" $i! brot$er to a fi5$tG in fact, Beato Glino5a beca)e $i! o%n %itne!! after t$e relief of Col. Ca!tillo a! pro incial co))an"er of -'e.onG $e %a! co)bat officer in t$e 5'errilla force!G c$ar5e! of )'r"er %ere file" a5ain!t $i) after liberation, b't $e $a" been 5i en t$e benefit! of t$e 5'errilla a)ne!t&G $e %a! al!o acc'!e" in t$e Barretto 8i"nappin5 ca!e, b't $i! participation t$ere %a! onl& t$at $e $a" contacte" t$e 8i"napper! at t$e be$e!t of t$e fa)il& of t$e icti)!, for p'rpo!e! of re"'cin5 t$e a)o'nt "e)an"e" b& t$e @'8!G on t$e "a& of t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, $e %a! at $o)eG 'pon learnin5 abo't it, $e $elpe" t$e fa)il& in rai!in5 t$e ran!o) )one&, $e %a! t$e lar5e!t copra "ealer in G')acaG $i! c'!to)er! o%e" $i) not le!! t$an 16/,///.//G El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipeI! fat$er-in-la%, 2arciano 1rincipe, %a! al!o one of t$e lar5e!t copra "ealer! in t$e to%n, b't t$ere %ere ot$er lar5e copra "ealer! t$ereG $e 8ne%, t$r' t$e ne%!paper!, abo't t$e ot$er 8i"nappin5 ca!e! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la K t$e 8i"nappin5 of E<-2a&or 7')'l of Lope., of ?ee Din5 of Catana'an, of t$e Barretto! of G')aca, of 4e Leon of Catana'an an" of El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe of G')acaG $e :E!tra"a; $a" not been t$e icti) of 8i"nappin5. A!8e" b& t$e co'rt %$et$er 8i"nappin5! "i!appeare" in G')aca after $i! arre!t, acc'!e" E!tra"a ref'!e" to an!%er. EL,3EO RA2O3, a "etaine" pri!oner for rebellion in t$e pro incial Aail of L'cena Cit&, te!tifie" t$at $e 8ne% pro!ec'tion %itne!! ('lio CeriboG t$e& %ere bot$ @'8!, an" $a" occa!ion to )eet eac$ ot$er in t$e )o'ntain!G t$e la!t ti)e $e )et Ceribo %a! on No e)ber 2>, 19>6, %$en Ceribo %a! al!o confine" in t$e pro incial Aail of L'cenaG $e a!8e" $i) :Ceribo; t$en %$& $e %a! "etaine", an" t$e latter an!%ere" t$at $e %a! bein5 '!e" a! %itne!! a5ain!t acc'!e" E!tra"aG t$ere %ere )an& "etention pri!oner! at t$e ti)e t$e& tal8e" to eac$ ot$er, a)on5 t$e) %ere @ilarion G'tierre.,
('anito Ba'ti!ta, Cenon Entio!co an" 1e"ro 2a!il'n5anG "'rin5 t$e co'r!e of t$eir con er!ation, acc'!e" E!tra"a appeare", an" $e a!8e" Ceribo if $e 8ne% $i)G Ceribo t$en tol" E!tra"a t$at $e "i" not 8no% $i)G a!8e" %$& $e %a! 5oin5 to te!tif& a5ain!t E!tra"a %$en accor"in5 to $i) $e "i" not 8no% t$e !ai" acc'!e", Ceribo an!%ere" t$at t$e in e!ti5ator! $a" pro)i!e" to "i!c$ar5e $i) fro) t$e co)plaint, an" t$at %a! t$e onl& %a& $e :Ceribo; co'l" !a e $i)!elfG an" Ceribo tol" $i)0 H,8a% an5 t')a&o !a a8in5 8ala5a&an 8'lan5 la)an5 a8o& pata&in !a b'5bo5GH Ceribo f'rt$er confi"e" to $i) t$at $a" $e 8no%n !'c$ treat)ent %o'l" $appen to $i), H$e %o'l" not $a e !'rren"ere".H Ot$er %itne!! K 1E4RO 2ANG6BA#, a co-acc'!e" of E!tra"a in t$e Barretto 8i"nappin5 ca!eG CENON EN#,O3CO, a pri!oner !er in5 !entence for robber& %it$ rape an" p$&!ical inA'rie!, an" al!o for ille5al po!!e!!ion of firear)G an" @,LAR,ON G6#,ERREE, anot$er "etention pri!oner on c$ar5e! of )'r"er an" robber& of %$ic$ $e %a! later con icte" K te!tifie" t$at t$e& %ere all in t$e pro incial Aail of -'e.on %$en pro!ec'tion %itne!! ('lio Ceribo %a! bro'5$t in t$ereG t$at t$e& all $ear" t$e con er!ation bet%een Ra)o! an" Ceribo on t$e one $an", an" bet%een Ceribo an" acc'!e" E!tra"a on t$e ot$er $an", an" t$at t$e& 8ne% t$at Ceribo $a" tol" acc'!e" E!tra"a t$en t$at $e :Ceribo; "i" not 8no% E!tra"a. Col. E3#AN,3LAO BAL#AEAR te!tifie" t$at in 19>2, $e %a! co))an"in5 officer of t$e 26t$ BC#, !tatione" in Cala'a5, -'e.onG in one of t$e )eetin5! $e $el" in t$e to%n $all of G')aca, a!8in5 t$e people to cooperate %it$ t$e Ar)& in it! ca)pai5n a5ain!t t$e "i!!i"ent!, one of t$o!e pre!ent !too" 'p an" !ai", H@o% can &o' e<pect t$e people to $elp t$e Ar)e" +orce! %$en t$e& "o not treat t$e barrio people %ell, t$e& are ta8en to t$e $ea"J'arter! of t$e Ar)& an" t$ere t$e& are )altreate" an" co)pelle" to a")it cri)e! %$ic$ t$e& "i" not co))itMHG $e 8ne% later on t$at t$at )an %$o $a" !po8en %a! Co'ncilor E!tra"aG an" !oon $e !olicite" $i! $elpG
E!tra"a ren"ere" al'able !er ice! to t$e Ar)& t$en, for $e $a" e<ten!i e connection! %it$ t$e barrio people an" $e !'pplie" al'able infor)ation a! to t$e )o e)ent! of t$e @'8! in t$e placeG an" in reco5nition of $i! !er ice!, $e 5a e E!tra"a a %ritten co))en"ation :E<$. 18;. Col. Balta.ar a")itte" t$o t$at t$e @'8! %ere er& acti e in t$e place "'rin5 $i! !ta& t$ere a! BC# Co))an"er, an" t$at t$e& :t$e @'8!; $a" an 'pper $an". @e a")itte" f'rt$er t$at t$e infor)ation !'pplie" b& E!tra"a %a! al%a&! late, t$at %a! %$& t$e& $a" no enco'nter %it$ t$e "i!!i"ent!. #$e& al)o!t ca'5$t 'p %it$ t$e @'8! in a barrio %$en t$e& %ent to t$e place to erif& t$e report )a"e b& E!tra"a, for t$e re!i"ent! infor)e" t$e) t$at t$e @'8! $a" left onl& abo't an $o'r before t$eir arri al. 2aAor +EL,1E BR6AN "eclare" t$at $e %a! for)erl& !tatione" in G')aca, an" t$ere $e ca)e to 8no% E!tra"a. #$e latter 5a e t$e 1C t$en al'able infor)ation re5ar"in5 t$e )o e)ent! of t$e @'8!. ,n 2a&, 19>4, E!tra"a reporte" to t$e) t$e pre!ence of @'8! near t$e bo'n"ar& of Lope. an" G')aca, an" t$e& %ent to t$e place to erif& t$e reportG 'nl'c8il&, t$e @'8! $a" left t$e "a& before %$en t$e& reac$e" t$e barrio t$e& $a" i!ite". @e %a! in co))an" of t$e 1C 4etac$)ent in G')aca %$en El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe %a! 8i"nappe". E!tra"a "i" not )a8e an& report t$en abo't t$e pre!ence of t$e @'8! in G')aca before t$e inci"ent. B't after t$e inci"ent, $e :Br'an; recei e" ne%! abo't it an" $e i))e"iatel& p'r!'e" t$e 8i"napper!. #$ere %a! an enco'nter t$at en!'e" %$en t$e& $a" contact %it$ t$e @'8! at abo't 60// or 90// oIcloc8 in t$e e enin5. #$ere %a! firin5 for abo't */ )in'te!, after %$ic$ t$e& ret'rne" to t$e to%n beca'!e t$e& !oon lo!t contact %it$ t$e). Capt. (6AN 4AEA te!tifie" t$at $e %a! once !tatione" in G')aca a! co))an"in5 officer of Lo e Co)pan&, 26t$ BC#G e en before $e %a! !tatione" at t$e place, $e alrea"& $a" ne%! abo't t$e al'able !er ice! of E!tra"a to t$e Ar)&G !o, $e !o'5$t E!tra"aI! $elp %$en $e )o e" to t$e placeG an" a! e<pecte", E!tra"a ren"ere"
1* Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
al'able !er ice!G one ti)e, E!tra"a infor)e" $i) t$at t$ere %ere t$ree :*; a)a.on! %$o %ere %illin5 to !'rren"er, an" $e !oon bro'5$t t$e) K @'8 A)a.on! Li%a&%a&, Leonor an" A)& K to $i! ca)pG t$e!e a)a.on! %ere all %i e! of @'8 Co))an"er!G in 19>4, t$e& %ere able to 8ill a @'8 na)e" Ab!alon at Barrio 3a!tre t$r' t$e infor)ation !'pplie" b& E!tra"aG on 2a& 2, 19>4, t$e& recei e" infor)ation fro) E!tra"a t$at t$e @'8! $a" loa"e" !o)e t$in5! on one of $i! tr'c8!, for "eli er& to Barrio Labni5G $e !ent )en to erif& t$e report an" t$ere %a! an enco'nterG t$e& "i" not catc$ 'p %it$ t$e @'8!, $o%e erG an" accor"in5 to E!tra"a, t$e t$in5! loa"e" on $i! tr'c8 %ere a t&pe%riter an" a )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine. #$e "efen!e later place" t$e icti), El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe, on t$e %itne!! !tan". +ro) $er te!ti)on&, t$e "efen!e elicite" t$e fact t$at "'rin5 $er confine)ent in t$e )o'ntain!, Lt. Alcantara inJ'ire" fro) $er, if !$e %a! t$e %ife of #eo"o!io 1rincipe. 6pon $er an!%er t$at !$e %a! not t$e %ife of #eo"o!io Lt. Alcantara t$en a!8e" $er if !$e %a! t$e %ife of Re&nal"o 1rincipe, to %$ic$ J'e!tion, !$e 5a e an affir)ati e an!%er. -6,R,NO RABELA, one of t$e co)panion! of Lt. Alcantara in t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira, an" %$o $a" been !entence" alrea"& in t$i! ca!e 'pon a plea of H5'ilt&H te!tifie" t$at %$ile in t$e )o'ntain!, $e o er$ear" t$e con er!ation bet%een Lt. Alcantara an" El ira #a=a"a, %$erein Lt. Alcantara a!8e" t$e icti) if !$e %a! H4octoraH. #o t$i! J'e!tion, El ira an!%ere" t$at !$e %a! not t$e "octoraG !$e crie" t$en an" !ai", H, a) t$e poore!t a)on5 t$e 1rincipe!.H 2ARCELO BARRAL, a re!i"ent of G')aca %$o !ell! copra to t$e 1rincipe!, te!tifie" t$at $e %a! in t$e $o'!e of 2arciano 1rincipe %$en El ira arri e" fro) t$e )o'ntain! after $er relea!e. @e t$en $ear" El ira tal8 to $er !i!ter Con!'elo an" e<clai) in #a5alo50 HA8o pala Ate Con!'elo a& pina58a)alan, at an5 a8ala pala a& a8o
an5 a!a%a ni 4o!io.H ,n 3epte)ber, 19>8 :after abo't one &ear an" t$ree )ont$! after $e $a" te!tifie" for t$e pro!ec'tion;, BEA#O GL,NOGA %a! place" on t$e !tan" b& t$e "efen!e. @e t$en )a"e a co)plete t'rn abo't re5ar"in5 t$e pre io'! in!tr'ction! of Lt. Alcantara for $i) to !ee fir!t acc'!e" E!tra"a before "eli erin5 t$e ran!o) note to t$e 1rincipe! for t$e rea!on t$at E!tra"a 8ne% all abo't it. #$i! ti)e, $e "eclare" t$at $e %a! not !o in!tr'cte" b& Lt. AlcantaraG t$at t$e tr't$ i!, t$at $e %a! "irecte" b& Lt. Alcantara to procee" to t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe!, %it$o't )ention %$at!oe er of t$e na)e of E!tra"aG t$at $e )a"e )ention of an" i)plicate" E!tra"a, 'pon or"er! of t$e 1C in e!ti5ator! t$at $e !$o'l" )ention E!tra"a in $i! affi"a it, an" %$ic$ or"er! $e follo%e", beca'!e t$e& %o'l" not !top )altreatin5 $i)G t$at on $i! %a& to t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe!, $e )et +e"erico Caparro! an" anot$er )an, an" to5et$er t$e& boar"e" a tr'c8 5oin5 to t$e po:lacion of G')acaG t$at $e e en !$o%e" to t$e) t$e letter $e %a! to "eli er to t$e 1rincipe! %$en t$e& a!8e" $i) %$ere $e %a! 5oin5G an" t$at $e ali5$te" ri5$t in front of t$e $o'!e of 2arciano 1rincipe %$en t$e tr'c8 reac$e" t$e to%n. +E4ER,CO CA1ARRO3 an" #O2A3 3O2B,LLA bot$ te!tifie" an" corroborate" t$e !tate)ent of Glino5a t$at t$e& )et Glino5a on 2arc$ >, 19>6G t$at t$e& a!8e" $i) %$ere $e %a! 5oin5 t$en, an" Glino5a tol" t$e) t$at $e %a! 5oin5 to t$e po:lacion, !$o%in5 to t$e) a letter %$ic$ $e p'lle" o't of $i! poc8etG t$at Glino5a "i" not !top at an& ot$er place, b't %ent "irectl& to t$e $o'!e of 2arciano 1rincipe. A##7. AN4RE3 +RANCO, 'pon per)i!!ion of ('lio Ceribo, "eclare" t$at $e %a! t$e co'n!el of ('lio Ceribo in t$i! ca!e, an" anot$er ca!e for rebellion in La5'naG t$at $e prepare" CeriboI! !tate)ent :E<$. 16; at t$e in!tance of ('lio Ceribo %$o $a" !'pplie" t$e fact! containe" in t$e !ai" !tate)entG t$at $e prepare"
t$e !tate)ent fir!t an" t$en too8 it to $i! place of confine)ent, a!8in5 $i) to !i5n it onl& after $e $a" rea" t$e !tate)ent an" 'n"er!too" it! content!G an" t$at ('lio Ceribo !%ore to it before Notar& 1'blic Ro"olfo Gar"'J'e %$o) $e :+ranco; $a" reJ'e!te" to co)e alon5. :#$e trial co'rt appear! to $a e co))ente", after e<a)inin5 E<$. 16, t$at t$e !a)e %a! not nece!!ar& in t$e "efen!e of ('lio Ceribo in t$e pre!ent ca!e, con!i"erin5 t$at ('lio Ceribo $a" alrea"& been "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation %$en Att&. +ranco !ec're" t$e !ai" !tate)ent of Ceribo;. #$e te!ti)on& of Att&. +ranco %a! !'b!tantiall& corroborate" b& Att&. Ro"olfo Gar"'J'e %$o "eclare" t$at $e ratifie" CeriboI! !tate)ent onl& after $e %a! !'re t$at Ceribo 'n"er!too" itG an" t$at t$ere %ere %itne!!e! :bro'5$t alon5 b& Att&. +ranco; %$o %itne!!e" t$e !i5nin5 of t$e "oc')ent. AN#ON,O N,EBA te!tifie" t$at $e %a! a for)er Ar)& Officer !tatione" in 1ito5o, -'e.onG E!tra"a %a! t$eir infor)er %$en $e %a! !tatione" t$ere, an" E!tra"a $elpe" in t$e !'rren"er of )an& @'8!G $a approac$e" Col. Ca!tillo re5ar"in5 t$e ca!e of E!tra"a beca'!e $e belie e" t$at E!tra"a %a! innocentG $e )et Col. Ca!tillo !e eral ti)e! re5ar"in5 t$e )atter, an" $e tol" $i) t$at $e %a! %ron5 in pro!ec'tin5 acc'!e" E!tra"aG b't Col. Ca!tillo confi"e" to $i) t$at $i! career %a! at !ta8e in t$i! ca!e, for $e $a" been in!tr'cte" to 5et t$e Hbi5 !$ot!H fro) t$e !econ" "i!trict of -'e.onG later, Col. Ca!tillo al!o confi"e" to $i) t$at $e %a! intere!te" in )onetar& con!i"eration! %$ic$ $e ite)i.e" a! follo%!0 for E!tra"aI! in ol e)ent in t$e Barretto ca!e, 12/,///.//G in t$i! ca!e, 12/,///.//G an" for ei5$t :8; ot$er )'r"er ca!e!, 12,///.// eac$G Col. Ca!tillo t$en tol" $i) t$at if $e co'l" 5i e $i) 1>/,///.// $e %o'l" !till be econo)i.in5 b& 116,///.//G $e t$en i))e"iatel& %ent to !ee t$e 1re!i"ent an" a!8e" for t$e relief of Col. Ca!tillo a! 1ro incial Co))an"er of -'e.on, an" 1re!i"ent 2a5!a&!a& t$en 5a e $i) a note, a""re!!e" to Gen. CabalG %$en $e )et Gen. Cabal, $o%e er, acco)panie" b& Go . 3anta&ana, (ar"in an" $i! :Antonio
Nie aI!; brot$er, t$en C$ief of 1olice of 1a!a& Cit&, $e recei e" t$e !a)e an!%er a! Col. Ca!tilloI! fro) Gen. Cabal, %$o tol" $i) f'rt$er t$at Ha! lon5 a! $e %a! C$ief of t$e 1$ilippine Con!tab'lar&, Col. Ca!tillo %ill not be to'c$e" in -'e.on 1ro inceGH $e ne er e<pecte" to $ear fro) Gen. Cabal t$e !a)e %or"! %$ic$ Col. Ca!tillo $a" confi"e" to $i), an" in e<a!peration $e e<clai)e"0 Hit !ee)! to )e t$at , a) not tal8in5 to t$e GeneralGH in t$e note 5i en b& t$e 1re!i"ent to Gen. Cabal, t$e 1re!i"ent tol" t$e General t$at t$e Nie a brot$er! 8ne% )ore of t$e peace an" or"er con"ition! in -'e.on, an" !$o'l" be left aloneG $e %a! tol" b& t$e 1re!i"ent to report to $i) t$e follo%in5 2on"a&, b't 'nl'c8il&, t$e 1re!i"ent "ie" on t$e 3'n"a& before t$eir appoint)entG $e recalle" t$at $e '!e" to be in 5oo" ter)! %it$ Col. Ca!tillo before, b't $e beca)e in"ifferent to $i) %$en $e :Ca!tillo; faile" to !top $i) fro) ta8in5 intere!t in t$e E!tra"a ca!e tellin5 $i) t$at 12/,///.// %a! not eno'5$G $e in!i!te" on $i! "e)an" for 1>/,///.//. ?it$ t$e offer of ario'! e<$ibit!, incl'"in5 a cop& of t$e "eci!ion of Co'rt of +ir!t ,n!tance of -'e.on in t$e Barretto ca!e, %$erein acc'!e" E!tra"a an" all $i! co-acc'!e" %ere acJ'itte", t$e "efen!e re!te" it! ca!e. ,t appear! t$at before t$e "efen!e "i" !o, t$e& )a"e an atte)pt to p't bac8 pro!ec'tion %itne!! ('lio Ceribo on t$e %itne!! !tan" in or"er t$at $e co'l" e<plain %$& $e alle5e"l& $a" te!tifie" fal!el& a5ain!t acc'!e" E!tra"a %$en $e te!tifie" for t$e pro!ec'tion in t$i! ca!e, b't t$e co'rt belo% "i" not allo% t$e "efen!e to p't bac8 t$e %itne!!. #$e trial appear! to $a e been "ela&e" al!o for a con!i"erable ti)e beca'!e t$e "efen!e $a" )a"e atte)pt! to pro"'ce Lt. Alcantara in co'rt, in %$ic$ atte)pt t$e& faile". Gen. 7an te!tifie" t$at a certain 1epe Alcantara %or8in5 %it$ t$e Ar)& %a! !till operatin5 in t$e fiel", an" t$at $i! %$ereabo't! %a! 'n8no%n. ,n reb'ttal, t$e pro!ec'tion place" on t$e %itne!! !tan" Col. +ranci!co "el Ca!tillo, %$o te!tifie" a! follo%!0 $e %a! 1ro incial Co))an"er of -'e.on fro) 2a& 2, 19>6 to ('l& 9, 19>8G $e %a!
1> Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
on a )i!!ion t$en K t$e pro!ec'tion of all t$e 8i"nappin5 ca!e! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la, na)el&0 t$e ca!e of ?ee Din5 of Catana'an :19>4;G of 3at'rnino Barretto an" $i! c$il"ren of G')aca :19>2;G of E<-2a&or 7')'l of Lope. :19>>;G of Ro!ita "e Leon of Catana'an :19>>;G an" of El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe :t$i! ca!e, 19>6;G $e $a" no per!onal 5r'"5e a5ain!t E!tra"a, for e en before $e ca)e to -'e.on a! pro incial co))an"er, E!tra"a %a! alrea"& acc'!e" in t$e 8i"nappin5 ca!e of 3at'rnino Barretto an" $i! c$il"renG Antonio Nie a an" )an& ot$er per!on! ca)e to $i) an" a!8e" t$at t$e ca!e a5ain!t E!tra"a be J'a!$e", b't $e ref'!e"G $e t'rne" "o%n t$e i))oral propo!al! of Antonio Nie aG $e "i" not pro!ec'te $i), $o%e er, on t$o!e i))oral propo!al! beca'!e it %a! $ar" to pro e, a! t$ere %ere no %itne!!e!G Nie a '!e" to approac$ $i) "'rin5 t$e ti)e of $i! re!t near $i! $o'!eG later, $e learne" t$at Antonio Nie a $a" ta)pere" %it$ t$e %itne!!e! for t$e pro!ec'tionG !o, $e or"ere" $i! )en to p't Nie a Hoff li)it!H in $i! ca)pG Nie a co)plaine" to $i5$er a't$oritie! in -'e.on Cit&, t$at %a! %$& !ai" $i5$er a't$oritie! calle" $i) t$ere to t$e 1C @ea"J'arter!G $e t$en bro'5$t alon5 t$e %itne!!e! of t$e 5o ern)ent a5ain!t E!tra"a, an" t$e& %ere in e!ti5ate" b& t$e !ai" $i5$er a't$oritie!0 t$e!e %itne!! %ere t$e one! %$o re eale" t$e participation of E!tra"a in t$i! ca!eG an" $e ne er "e)an"e" 1>/,///.// a! con!i"eration for t$e J'a!$in5 of t$e ca!e! a5ain!t E!tra"a. After a caref'l e al'ation of t$e e i"ence t$'! !et fort$, ?e fin" t$at t$e inc'lpator& fact! pro en b& t$e te!ti)onie! of %itne!!e! for t$e pro!ec'tion to e!tabli!$ t$e 5'ilt of acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a are a! follo%!0 #$e @'8bala$ap! in an" aro'n" t$e )o'ntain! of t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la %ere t$e frien"! of acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a. ?it$ an" t$ro'5$ $i! $elp, t$e c$air)an of t$e e"'cational co))ittee of t$e @2B in t$e re5ion, acJ'ire" a t&pe%riter an" a )i)eo5rap$in5 )ac$ine on 2a& 1 or 2, 19>4.NN1OO Abo't t$e fir!t %ee8 of +ebr'ar&,NN2OO or abo't a %ee8 before t$e act'al 8i"nappin5 of
El ira #a=a"a "e 1rincipe on +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6,NN*OO @'8 Lt. 1epe Alcantara )et %it$ ot$er @'8 Co))an"er! in Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, -'e.on. Lt. Alcantara 5a e !o)e in!tr'ction! to Co)"r. #e""& Cora.on t$en, an" t$e latter or"ere" $'8! C Nel!on an" C +re"o to contact co'ncilor E!tra"a of G')aca in t$e po:lacion an" to tell $i) to !ee Lt. Alcantara in Barrio Bi5a.NN4OO Alia! Nel!on an" C +re"o %ere able to tal8 %it$ E!tra"a in t$e to%n, an" t$ree "a&! later, E!tra"a )et %it$ Lt. Alcantara an" $i! co)panion! in Barrio Bi5a.NN>OO 4'rin5 t$at )eetin5 bet%een t$e), Lt. Alcantara a!8e" E!tra"a %$o :for p'rpo!e! of 8i"nappin5; %a! t$e ric$e!t )an in G')aca, an" E!tra"a an!%ere" in #a5alo5, Han5 )ai)')'n58a$i 8o !a in&o a& an5 )5a 1rincipe.H Lt. Alcantara inJ'ire" if it %a! Re&nal"o 1rincipe, to %$ic$ J'e!tion E!tra"a an!%ere" HnoH beca'!e Hit %o'l" be "iffic'lt for t$e fa)il& to ran!o) $i) for )o!t of t$e propertie! %ere in $i! na)e.H Lt. Alcantara t$en a!8e", H%$o) can %e 8i"napMH E!tra"a !'55e!te" El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe %$o Hco'l" ea!il& be ran!o)e".H Lt. Alcantara a5ree" to t$e !'55e!tion of E!tra"a !a&in50 Hif t$at i! t$e ca!e, &e!, let '! 8i"nap El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe,NN6OO it %ill be 5oo" for '! to 8i"nap El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe.HNN9OO #$e $'8 lie'tenant tol" E!tra"a f'rt$er0 H&o' %ill be a" i!e" %$en t$e 8i"nappin5 %ill ta8e placeGHNN8OO an" E!tra"a an!%ere"0 Hall t$e ti)e &o' can "epen" 'pon )e.HNN9OO ,n t$e afternoon of +ebr'ar& 29, 19>6, Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en ca)e "o%n fro) Barrio Bi5a to G')aca an" 8i"nappe" El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe fro) t$e !tore on t$e 5ro'n" floor of t$e $o'!e of $er fat$er-in-la%, 2arciano 1rincipe. #$e& too8 $er, to5et$er %it$ Car)en Noceto %$o) t$e& pic8e" 'p alon5 t$e %a&, to t$e )o'ntain! near t$e bo'n"arie! of t$e to%n! of G')aca, Lope. an" 2acalelon. #$e @'8! 8ept t$e) t$ere for abo't t%o %ee8!.NN1/OO #$ereafter, Lt. Alcantara an" !o)e of $i! )en %ent to Barrio Billa #a=a"a, G')aca, an" contacte" t$e barrio lie'tenant, Beato Glino5a, on t$e ni5$t of 2arc$ 4, 19>6.
#a=a"a 1rincipe, Lt. Alcantara a!8e" Beato Glino5a to "eli er $i! letter to t$e 1rincipe!. @e in!tr'cte" Glino5a to !ee Co'ncilor E!tra"a fir!t in t$e to%n, !o t$at t$e latter co'l" acco)pan& $i) to t$e $o'!e of t$e 1rincipe!, an" t$en to t$e )o'ntain! %$ere $e :Lt. Alcantara; %o'l" later )eet t$e).NN11OO #$e c$o!en co'rier follo%e" t$e or"er! of t$e @'8 Co))an"er. @e %ent to t$e po:lacion of G')aca t$e follo%in5 )ornin5. @e loo8e" for E!tra"a, b't $e faile" to contact $i). 3o, $e %ent "irectl& to t$e $o'!e of 2arciano 1rincipe an" per!onall& "eli ere" t$e letter of Lt. Alcantara entr'!te" to $i).NN12OO 2arciano 1rincipe rea" t$e letter of t$e @'8 Co))an"er, an" t$en %rote an an!%er. @e 5a e t$e !a)e to Ba!ilio An5'lo, a compadre of $i! %$o %a! at t$e $o'!e at t$e ti)e, an" reJ'e!te" $i) to Aoin Beato Glino5a bac8 to Lt. Alcantara in Barrio Billa #a=a"a. #$e co'rier an" t$e e)i!!ar& %ent to5et$er an" )et Lt. Alcantara t$at !a)e e enin5, in t$e )o'ntain! of Billa #a=a"aMNN1*OO Ba!ilio An5'lo an" Lt. Alcantara t$en $a" a conference. A! t$e& "i", one of t$e $'8! pre!ent n'"5e" Glino5a an" inJ'ire" fro) $i) %$ere E!tra"a %a!, an" Glino5a e<plaine" t$at $e %a! not able to !ee $i).NN14OO Ba!icall&, E!tra"aI! "efen!e i! t$at t$e c$ar5e a5ain!t $i) i! b't a p're concoction. Nat'rall&, $e e$e)entl& "enie" t$e tr't$ of t$e abo e inc'lpator& fact! pro en b& t$e pro!ec'tion, b& !$o%in5 t$at $e co'l" not $a e been in Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, nor conferre" %it$ Lt. Alcantara at t$e place in +ebr'ar&, 19>6, beca'!e $e ne er left t$e to%n of G')aca "'rin5 t$e !ai" )ont$, b't once K %$en $e %ent to L'cena Cit& to rene% t$e plate! of $i! tr'c8!. @e !o'5$t to "e!tro& t$e cre"ibilit& of t$e %itne!!e! for t$e pro!ec'tion. @e trie" $ar" to con ince t$e trial co'rt t$at a )an of $i! !tat're an" c$aracter K an electi e official of !ocial pro)inence an" %it$ !'b!tantial inco)e, an" co))en"e" b& a ran8in5 1C officer for H$i! e<ploit! an" 'n"erta8in5!H a! an Hinfor)erH of t$e Ar)& K co'l" not $a e been in lea5'e %it$ t$e @'8! in t$e )o'ntain!, an"
propo!e to t$e) a nei5$bor an" fa)il& frien" a! an obAect of t$e $eino'! cri)e of 8i"nappin5 for ran!o). @i! er!ion, $o%e er, faile" to con ince t$e trial co'rt of $i! innocence of t$e cri)e i)p'te" to $i). Acc'!e" (o!e E!tra"a $a! appeale" fro) t$e "eci!ion. Appellant conten"! t$at t$e trial co'rt $a" fallen into 5ra e error in 5i in5 fait$ an" cre"it to t$e te!te)onie! of $'8! Antonio Ca)paniero C Nel!on, ('lio Ceribo C ('l&, an" Gon.alo 2allare C Co))an"er Ro)&. Attention i! calle" to t$e fact t$at Nel!on an" Ceribo K for)er co-acc'!e" t'rne" !tate %itne!!e! K $a" no c$oice b't to te!tif& a5ain!t appellant in con!i"eration of t$e pro!ec'tionI! pro)i!e to "i!c$ar5e t$e) fro) t$e infor)ation an" !a e t$eir !8in, %$ile t$e ca!e a! a5ain!t %itne!! 2allare %a! apparentl& "i!)i!!e", on )otion of t$e pro!ec'tion for alle5e" in!'fficienc& of e i"ence, p'rpo!el& to )a8e $i) te!tif& a5ain!t $erein appellant. 6n"er t$e circ')!tance!, it i! ar5'e", t$e!e %itne!!e! $a" no option b't to te!tif& a! t$e pro!ec'tion "e!ire" K to !ec're t$e con iction of t$e appellant at all co!t. #$ere !$o'l" be no J'arrel t$at Nel!on an" Ceribo )'!t $a e te!tifie" a! !tate %itne!!e! in con!i"eration of t$e pro!ec'tionI! pro)i!e to "i!c$ar5e t$e) fro) t$e infor)ation in t$i! ca!eG b't t$at i! not tr'e %it$ re!pect to %itne!! Gon.alo 2allare, %$o appear! to $a e te!tifie" lon5 after t$e ca!e a5ain!t $i) $a" been "i!)i!!e" for in!'fficienc& of e i"ence. B't t$e!e circ')!tance! alone K !$ort of an& !$o%in5 t$at in con!i"eration of t$e 3tateI! lenienc&, t$e!e %itne!!e! $a" been or"ere" an" $a" a5ree", not onl& to te!tif& for t$e pro!ec'tion b't al!o to pre aricate in t$eir e!po'!al of t$e 1eopleI! ca'!e K cannot "etract fro) t$eir cre"ibilit&. ?e $a e e<a)ine" t$e te!ti)onie! of t$e!e %itne!!e! %it$ pain!ta8in5 !olicit'"e, in o'r !incere "e!ire to fin" t$e '!'al !i5n! of %a erin5 an" %obblin5 in "eclaration! of l&in5 %itne!!e!, an" ?e note t$at not%it$!tan"in5 t$e fact t$at t$e& $a e been !'bAecte" to
e<traor"inaril& lon5 an" !earc$in5 cro!!-e<a)ination! K la!tin5 !e eral "a&! of trial K b& t$e brilliant la%&er! for t$e "efen!e, t$e& ne er fell into !erio'! contra"iction! in t$eir lon5 "eclaration!, %$ic$ co'l" rea!onabl& be e<pecte" if t$e& %ere )erel& concoctin5 lie!. On t$e contrar&, t$e& %it$!too" t$e or"eal! of t$e len5t$& cro!!-e<a)ination!, e<plainin5 e er& point on %$ic$ t$e co'n!el! for t$e "efen!e "%elle", in a !trai5$t-for%ar" an" !ati!factor& %a&. #$e abo e contention of appellant, t$erefore, cannot be accepte". 2'c$ e)p$a!i! i! place" b& appellant 'pon t$e circ')!tance t$at "'rin5 $i! confine)ent in t$e pro incial Aail in L'cena Cit&, pro!ec'tion %itne!! Nel!on :t$en confine" in t$e 1C !toc8a"e; $a" %ritten !e eral letter! a""re!!e" to $i) an" $i! %itne!!, Antonio Nie a, alto5et$er p'rportin5 to !$o% t$at Nel!on $a" been tellin5 t$e) t$at $e an" $i! co)panion! %$o $a" pre io'!l& 5i en !tate)ent! i)plicatin5 $erein appellant in t$e co))i!!ion of t$e cri)e, before t$e 5o ern)ent in e!ti5ator!, "i" not reall& 8no% $i) :E!tra"a;G an" t$at t$e& i)plicate" $erein appellant in t$eir !ai" !tate)ent! beca'!e t$e& %ere )altreate" b& t$e in e!ti5ator! into !i5nin5 t$e). ,t i! o'r con!i"ere" opinion, $o%e er, after con!i"erin5 t$e !'rro'n"in5 circ')!tance! 'n"er %$ic$ t$e letter! a" erte" to %ere %ritten, t$at t$eir content! are fal!e. Nel!on "eclare" t$at Antonio Nie a tal8e" %it$ $i) before $e %rote t$e letter!. Nie a e<plaine" to $i) t$at b& te!tif&in5 a! !tate %itne!!, $e cannot be relie e" of $i! re!pon!ibilit& in t$e co))i!!ion of t$e cri)e. 1ointin5 o't t$at $e :Nel!on; %a! not A'!t a %itne!! b't an acc'!e" :Nel!on $a" not been "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation at t$e ti)e;, Nie a %arne" Nel!on t$at $e %o'l" al!o be p'ni!$e" li8e E!tra"a, an" per$ap! 5o to t$e electric c$air. ?it$ a!!'rance of $i! clo!e connection %it$ 2alaca=an5, Nie a pro)i!e" Nel!on t$at $e co'l" "o !o)et$in5 abo't t$i! ca!e in 2alaca=an5, an" E!tra"a %o'l" be %illin5 to $elp t$e), pro i"e" t$e& %o'l" not te!tif& a5ain!t t$e latter, ot$er%i!e, !o)et$in5 ba" %o'l" $appen to t$e). An" %it$ t$i! i"ea bro'5$t o't to $i) b& Nie a, Nel!on %rote a
letter :E<$. 2; to E!tra"a on (an'ar& 24, 19>9. #$e %itne!! e<plaine" a! follo%!0 3inabi po !a a8in ni #on& :Antonio Nie a; na $'%a5 la)an5 8alabanin !i (o!e E!tra"a a& !i&a an5 ba$alan5 $')an5o !a a)in5 )5a te!ti5o at 8'n5 8a8alabanin na)in a& )apapa!a)a 8a)i, at bini5&an po 8a)i n5 12/.// !'$ol. At !inabi pa ni&an5 !i&a an5 ba$alan5 l')a8a" !a 2alaca=an5 at !a pana$on5 8a)i a& bibi!ta$an 5a&a nito a& tan55i$an na)in at !abi$in na 8'n5 8a&a 8a)i na8apa5!abi n5 !a a)in5 H!tate)entH a& 8a)i !ina8tan at 5inantin5palaan at pinan5a8'an.NN1>OO Re5ar"in5 $i! letter :E<$. *;, Nel!on "eclare" t$at $e "i" not %rite it ol'ntaril&. Abo't noonti)e of (an'ar& 2>, "a& after $e $a" %ritten t$e fir!t letter, t%o pri!oner! %earin5 &ello% !'it! entere" t$eir cell in t$e !toc8a"e an" a!8e" %$o %ere t$e %itne!!e! a5ain!t E!tra"a in t$i! ca!eG an" t$e %itne!!e! pointe" to one anot$er. One of t$e !ai" pri!oner! t$en tol" Nel!on t$at if $e !till al'e" $i! life, $e !$o'l" prepare a letter to E!tra"a an" )a8e $i) belie e t$at t$e& %ill not te!tif& a5ain!t $i). Nel!on e<plaine" t$at $e belie e" t$i! to be a t$reat on t$eir li e!, for $e t$o'5$t t$at t$e& )i5$t $a e been bribe" to liJ'i"ate t$e). 3o, $e %rote t$e letter, in t$e pre!ence of t$e !ai" pri!oner!. ?it$ re!pect to a portion of anot$er letter :E<$. 1/;, "ate" (an'ar& 29, 19>9 :letter %a! !t&le" Hto %$o) it )a& concernH;, Nel!on a!8e" E!tra"a to 5i e $i) !o)e a)o'nt for ci5arette!, an" $erein appellant %o'l" capitali.e on t$i! apparent %ea8ne!! of c$aracter of Nel!on to "e!tro& $i! cre"ibilit&. ?e are )ore incline", $o%e er, to "i!re5ar" t$i! t$eor& beca'!e ?e fo'n" t$at t$e %itne!! $a" fran8l& a")itte" t$at $e "i" it beca'!e Antonio Nie a $a" a!!'re" t$e) t$at E!tra"a %a! %illin5 to $elp t$e), an" %$ile confine" in Aail t$e& :t$e %itne!!e!; $a" a5ree" to )il8 $i). ,n fact, in anot$er portion of t$e !ai" letter, Nel!on $a" a!8e" E!tra"a to ret'rn $i! letterG an" Nel!on e<plaine" in co'rt later t$at $e %ante" to "e!tro& t$e letter beca'!e if Col. Ca!tillo !$o'l" co)e
to 8no% abo't t$e lie! $e $a" tol" t$erein t$e )ore t$e& %o'l" !'ffer :lalo kamin, ma!i!irapan;. #$'!, $e e<plaine" to t$e co'rt belo%0 An5 ibi5 8o pon5 !abi$in a& lalo 8a)in5 8'8'l'n5in !a loob n5 H!toc8a"eH 8'n5 )alala)an 8a)iI& !')'lat 8a& E!tra"a at )a5papan"a& n5 8a!in'n5alin5an. 7a&a)an5 8a)i na-!toc8a"e at 8a)i $alo! inco)'nica"o pa a& "a$il n5a !a pan5&a&ari n5 8a)i 8a'!apin ni #on& Nie a na 5a%in na)in an5 la$at n5 paraan !a pa5!i!in'n5alin5, tan55i$an na)in an5 )5a H!tate)entH na nila5"aan na)in5 8'!an5loob. Nan5an5a$'l'5an5 babali5ta" 8a)i !a 8atoto$anan t'n5o !a 8a!in'n5alin5an.NN16OO #$i! Aibe! %it$ t$e ot$er e i"ence of t$e pro!ec'tion of recor", an" a")itte" b& t$e %itne!! for t$e "efen!e concerne", t$at Antonio Nie a, for $a in5 !$o%n e<traor"inar& intere!t in t$i! ca!e, $a" t$ereafter been or"ere" Hoff li)it!H in!i"e t$e 1C ca)p. +inall&, t$ere i! anot$er circ')!tance t$at a""! a rin5 of tr't$ to t$e te!ti)on& of Nel!on. Col. Ca!tillo te!tifie" t$at Antonio Nie a $a" co)plaine" to $i5$er a't$oritie! abo't $i). #$i! i! a")itte" b& "efen!e %itne!! Nie a %$o "eclare" t$at $e %ent to !ee t$e late 1re!i"ent 2a5!a&!a& an" General Cabal, an" a!8e" for t$e relief of Col. Ca!tillo a! pro incial Co))an"er of -'e.on pro ince b& rea!on of $i! act'ation! in t$i! ca!e. A! a re!'lt of Nie aI! Co)plaint, Col. Ca!tillo %a! calle" b& $i5$er a't$oritie! to -'e.on Cit&G an" Col. Ca!tillo bro'5$t alon5 t$e %itne!!e! of t$e 5o ern)ent before Col. 7an, General Cabal, an" t$en to t$e late 1re!i"ent 2a5!a&!a&. Nel!on te!tifie" t$at %$en $e %a! ta8en to Col. 7an in -'e.on Cit&, t$e !ai" official a!8e" $i) if t$e content! of $i! affi"a it :E<$. L, %$erein $e $a" i)plicate" appellant E!tra"a; %ere tr'e, an" $e affir)e" t$e content t$ereof. #$e %itne!! al!o "eclare" t$at $e %a! cro!!-e<a)ine" ::ina:ali,tad n, tanon, sa amin, HstatementH; on $i! !tate)ent b& General Cabal, before %$o) $e, li8e%i!e, affir)e" t$e tr't$ t$ereof, e<plainin5 to t$e
General t$at $e %a! not t$reatene", $ar)e", or pro)i!e" an& re%ar" %$en $e ol'ntaril& affi<e" $i! !i5nat're on t$e "oc')ent. Nel!on )a"e t$e !a)e affir)ation before 1re!i"ent 2a5!a&!a& on t$e !a)e occa!ion. An" %$en a!8e" %$& $e "i" not )ention abo't t$e letter! :E<$ibit! 2, *, 1/, 11 P 12; no% $ea il& relie" 'pon b& $erein appellant, Nel!on "eclare" o'tri5$t in co'rt t$at t$e content! of t$e !ai" letter! %ere not tr'e, an" $e %a! afrai" to tell an& fal!e$oo" to t$e $i5$e!t a't$orit& of t$e lan". 3'c$ e<planation!, con!i"ere" in t$e li5$t of t$e !'rro'n"in5 circ')!tance!, lea e no iota of "o'bt t$at t$e %itne!! $a" tol" t$e tr't$ in co'rt. A5ain $erein appellant %o'l" capitali.e 'pon t$e circ')!tance! t$at bot$ %itne!!e! Ceribo an" 2allare $a e )a"e apparentl& contra"ictor& !tate)ent! :affi"a it!; at "ifferent ti)e! "'rin5 t$eir confine)ent. 2ore !pecificall&, it i! pointe" o't t$at 2allare $a" "i!clai)e" an& 8no%le"5e abo't t$e 8i"nappin5 in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la in $i! !tate)ent :E<$. 19; %$ic$ i! contrar& to $i! later "eclaration in co'rt t$at $e $ear" t$e con er!ation bet%een Lt. Alcantara an" $erein appellant in Barrio Bi5a, G')aca, re5ar"in5 t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe. #$i! %itne!! e<plaine" t$at $e "i" not )ention in e<$ibit 19 abo't t$e participation of E!tra"a, beca'!e $e "i" not %ant $i! na)e lin8e" %it$ t$e na)e of Lt. Alcantara. At t$e ti)e, $e $a" not )et Nel!on, Ceribo an" Gre5ana. @e learne" later, $o%e er, t$at t$e!e per!on! %ere alrea"& acc'!e" in t$i! ca!e, an" 8no%in5 t$at t$e& 8ne% all t$e !ecret! of t$e 8i"nappin5, $e "eci"e" to re eal $i! 8no%le"5e t$ereof. At an& rate, it %ill be note" t$at 2allareI! te!ti)on& re5ar"in5 t$e in ol e)ent of appellant in t$i! ca!e %a! )erel& c')'lati e in nat're, a "i!re5ar" of %$ic$ %o'l" not affect at all t$e te!ti)onie! of Nel!on an" Ceribo re5ar"in5 t$e !a)e point. An" !o %it$ t$e alle5e" contra"iction bet%een t$e !tate)ent of Ceribo before t$e 1C on 3epte)ber 12, 19>6, an" $i! !'b!eJ'ent affi"a it prepare" b& $i! co'n!el on April 16, 19>9. ,t i! tr'e t$at in t$e one :E<$. @; Ceribo $a" inc'lpate" E!tra"a, %$ile in t$e ot$er :E<$. 16; $e $a"
e<onerate" $i)G b't Ceribo e<plaine" t$at t$e content! of t$e latter are fal!e. @e "eclare" t$at %$en t$e !ai" "oc')ent %a! ta8en to $i) in!i"e t$e 1C !toc8a"e, it %a! alrea"& prepare". @i! co'n!el $a" )anife!te" to $i) t$at it %a! nece!!ar& for $i! acJ'ittal, for %$ic$ rea!on $e !i5ne" it %it$o't fir!t rea"in5 it! content!. ?e belie e t$i! e<planation of t$e %itne!! i! !'fficient, for ?e fin" no rea!on for $i! co'n!el to prepare t$e latter affi"a it %$en ?e con!i"er t$e fact t$at Ceribo $a" lon5 been "i!c$ar5e" fro) t$e infor)ation before it %a! prepare". An" a! t$e trial co'rt $a" aptl& ob!er e", t$e !ai" affi"a it %a! no lon5er nece!!ar& for t$e acJ'ittal of t$e %itne!!. A"" to t$i! !'!picio'! c$aracter of E<$. 16 t$e 'n!$a8en te!ti)on& of t$e %itne!! t$at it! content! are fal!e an" t$e fact t$at $e $a" affir)e" t$e tr't$ of $i! ot$er !tate)ent not onl& before t$e $i5$e!t officer! of t$e Ar)&, b't al!o before t$e C$ief E<ec'ti e of t$e lan", t$at t$e al'e of E<$ibit 16 !oon fa"e! into not$in5ne!!. B't appellant c$ar5e! t$at t$e trial co'rt $a" ab'!e" it! "i!cretion %$en it "enie" t$e "efen!e t$e ri5$t to call bac8 %itne!! Ceribo %$o, it i! clai)e", %a! t$en rea"& to retract $i! pre io'! te!ti)on& for t$e pro!ec'tion, an" t$en te!tif& for t$e "efen!e. #$i!, it i! pointe" o't, %a! a "enial of $erein appellantI! ri5$t to "'e proce!!. ?e cannot a5ree. 3ection 14, R'le 1*2 of t$e R'le! of Co'rt e<plicitl& pro i"e! t$at t$e co'rt )a& 5rant or %it$$ol" lea e to recall a %itne!!, in it! "i!cretion, a! t$e intere!t! of A'!tice )a& reJ'ireG an" ?e belie e t$at it %a! t$e better part of "i!cretion an" ca'tion on t$e part of t$e trial co'rt to $a e "enie" a! it "i", t$e reJ'e!t of t$e "efen!e to recall Ceribo. #$e recor" i! loa"e" %it$ circ')!tance! ten"in5 to !$o% in!i"io'! atte)pt!, too ob io'! to be o erloo8e", to ta)per %it$ t$e %itne!!e! for t$e pro!ec'tion. 6n"er t$e circ')!tance!, to allo% !'c$ a proce"'re %o'l" onl& enco'ra5e t$e per er!ion of tr't$ an" )a8e a )oc8er& of co'rt procee"in5!. A certain alle5e" !tate)ent attrib'te" to Lt. Alcantara, i! $ere al!o relie" 'pon b& appellant to !$o% t$at $e :appellant; "i" not reall&
!'55e!t El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe to be t$e 8i"nap icti). ,t appear! t$at !oon after El ira %a! ta8en to t$e )o'ntain!, !$e %a! a!8e" b& Lt. Alcantara if !$e %a! t$e %ife of #eo"o!io 1rincipe. El ira an!%ere" t$e J'e!tion in t$e ne5ati e. #$ereafter, Lt. Alcantara a!8e" $er if !$e %a! t$e %ife of Re&nal"o 1rincipe, an" t$i! ti)e !$e an!%ere" in t$e affir)ati e. ?e belie e not )'c$ )a& be )a"e o't of t$i! circ')!tance, for it )erel& !$o%! t$at Lt. Alcantara %a! not e en !'re if t$e %o)an t$e& $a" 8i"nappe" %a! t$e %ife of #eo"o!io or Re&nal"o. ,t "oe! not nece!!aril& follo%, $o%e er, t$at $erein appellant "i" not reall& )a8e t$e !'55e!tion to 8i"nap El ira, in t$e li5$t of po!iti e e i"ence t$at $e "i" !o. Neit$er )a& ?e !'!tain t$e c$ar5e t$at t$e pro!ec'tion in t$i! ca!e %a! 5'ilt& of !'ppre!!ion of e i"ence, on acco'nt. alone of t$e circ')!tance t$at t$e $i5$e!t a't$oritie! of t$e Ar)& $a" faile" to pro"'ce Lt. Alcantara in co'rt, a! "e!ire" b& t$e "efen!e. ,t i! tr'e t$at t$e pro!ec'tor in t$i! ca!e %a! a captain in t$e Ar)&, b't it cannot be "enie" t$at $e $a" pro!ec'te" t$i! ca!e not a! !'c$ officer, b't a! a !pecial pro!ec'tor 'n"er t$e 4epart)ent of ('!ticeG nor "o ?e fin" an& e i"ence of recor" t$at %ill A'!tif& an inference t$at $e $a" pre aile" 'pon $i! !'perior officer! in t$e Ar)e" +orce! not to obe& t$e or"er! of t$e trial co'rt to pro"'ce Lt. Alcantara. @erein appellant clai)! t$at Lt. Alcantara %a! alrea"& in t$e c'!to"& of t$e Ar)& at t$e ti)e. Col. 7an te!tifie", $o%e er, t$at t$e Lt. Alcantara in t$e !er ice of t$e 1C %a! at t$e ti)e Hin t$e fiel" of operation an" $i! %$ereabo't! %a! 'n8no%n.H ?e !ee no rea!on t$en %$& t$e bla)e !$o'l" be attrib'te" to t$e pro!ec'tion. ?it$ t$e fore5oin5 concl'!ion!, ?e $a e to !'!tain t$e fin"in5 of t$e co'rt belo% t$at $erein appellant i! 5'ilt& of t$e cri)e i)p'te" to $i) in t$i! ca!e. #$ere co'l" be no J'e!tion t$at appellant $a" 8no%le"5e of t$e cri)inal intention of Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en to 8i"nap !o)ebo"& fro) G')aca for ran!o). ,t !ee)!, $o%e er, t$at t$e& $a" no "efinite per!on in )in" in t$e be5innin5. 3o )'c$ !o, t$at t$e& $a" to call for $erein appellant, a co'ncilor an" pro)inent
2/ Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
citi.en of t$e place, for $i! cooperation in t$e )atter of !electin5 an" pointin5 to t$e pro!pecti e icti). Appellant !'55e!te" t$e 1rincipe! a! t$e )o!t !'itable obAect of t$eir cri)inal "e!i5n, pinpointin5 El ira, %ife of one of t$e 1rincipe!, a! t$e i"eal icti), %it$ t$e e<planation t$at t$e 1rincipe fa)il& %o'l" not )eet %it$ an& "iffic'lt& in pro"'cin5 t$e ran!o) )one& for $er relea!e. Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en beca)e con ince" of appellantI! !'55e!tion an" rea!onin5, an" t$en an" t$ere t$e& "eci"e" to 8i"nap El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe. #$e @'8 lea"er tol" appellant t$at $e :appellant; %o'l" be infor)e" accor"in5l& %$en t$e 8i"nappin5 %a! to be effecte" an" t$e latter an!%ere" t$at Lt. Alcantara co'l" co'nt 'pon $i) all t$e ti)e. Appellant 8ne%, an" )'!t $a e reali.e" t$e fri5$tf'l con!eJ'ence! of bein5 8i"nappe" b& t$e @'8!. @e %a! not 'na%are of pre io'! ot$er 8i"nappin5! of pro)inent citi.en! in t$e Bon"oc 1enin!'la K t$e 8i"nappin5 of E<-2a&or 7')'l of Lope., of ?ee Din5 of Catana'an, of t$e Barretto! of G')aca, an" of 4e Leon of Catana'an K %$ic$ $a" in ariabl& re!'lte" in eit$er t$e lo!! of $onor of t$e icti)!, pa&)ent of $'5e a)o'nt! for ran!o) b& t$eir fa)ilie!, or t$e $orrible "eat$! of t$e icti)!. ?it$ t$at 8no%le"5e, ne ert$ele!!, $erein appellant a5ree" an" con!pire" %it$ Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en in t$e 8i"nappin5 of El ira #a=a"a 1rincipe, %$o %a! not onl& "etaine" b& Lt. Alcantara an" $i! )en in t$e )o'ntain! for ei5$teen :18; "a&!, b't %a! onl& relea!e" after t$e pa&)ent of a 1>/,///.// ran!o). #$e!e circ')!tance!, to t$e )in" of t$e Co'rt, alto5et$er !$o% t$at appellant enAo&e" !'c$ a!cen"anc& of t$e )in" o er t$at of Lt. Alcantara to t$e e<tent t$at $i! !'55e!tion %a! t$e efficacio'! in"'ce)ent %$ic$ le" t$e latter an" $i! )en to procee" %it$ t$e cri)inal "e!i5n, t$'! )a8in5 $erein appellant a principal b& in"'ce)ent. @o%e er, for fail're to obtain t$e nece!!ar& n')ber of ote! to affir) t$e "eat$ !entence in t$e "eci!ion appeale" fro), t$e penalt& ne<t lo%er !$o'l" be i)po!e". ?@ERE+ORE, appellant i! $ereb& rentente" to reclusion perpetua.
?it$ t$i! )o"ification, "eci!ion i! affir)e" b& %a& of or"erin5 appellant to pa& t$e ci il liabilit& an" t$e co!t!. On eJ'itable con!i"eration!, no co!t! in t$i! in!tance. Concepcion* C.J.* -e8es J.6.3.* Di;on* 0akalintal* Sanc!e;* Castro* "ernando and Capistrano* JJ.* conc'r. 9aldi<ar* J.* i! on lea e.
corporation and en a ed in the 1anufacture and sale of refined ranulated su ar is the owner of the trade1ar, "-ICT(2IA+" and d desi n re istered in the Philippines Patent (ffice on Nove1'er #, !#$!. The respondent (n +u is en a ed in the repac,in and sale of refine su ar and is the owner of the trade1ar, "-A./NTIN/" and desi n re istered in the Philippines Patent (ffice on )une *0, !#$!. (n (cto'er 4, !#$3, -ictorias 0inin Co1pan&, Inc. filed with the Philippine Patent (ffice a petition to cancel the re istration of the (n +u trade1ar, "-alentine." The petitioner allied that its trader1r, "-ictorias" and dia1ond desi n has distinctive of its su ar lon 'efore the respondent used its trade1ar,3 that the re istration of "-alentine" and desi n has caused and will cause reat da1a e to petitioner '& reason of 1ista,e, confusion, or deception a1on the purchasers 'ecause it is si1ilar to its "-ictorias" trade1ar,3 that re istration was fradulentl& o'tained '& (n +u and that "-alentine" faisel& su ests a connection with +aint -alentine or with an institution or 'elief connected therewith. 2 In his answer to the petition the respondent averred that he is doin 'usiness under the na1e and st&le "-alentine Pac,a in " and has re istered the trade1ar, "-alentine" with a desi n for su ar and was issued Certificate of 2e istration No. 44#! dated )une *0, !#$!3 that the trade1ar, "-ictorias" with dia1ond desi n and the trade1ar, "-alentine" with a desi n are two different 1ar,s3 and that there is a'solutel& no li,elihood of confusion, 1ista,e or deception to purchasers throu h the concurrent use of the petitioner5s 1ar, "-ictorias" with a dia1ond desi n and the respondents5 1ar, "-alentine"
+,R3# 4,B,3,ON G.R. No. L-28499 September 30, 1977 VICTORIAS MILLING COM AN!, INC., petitioner, vs. ONG S" AN# T$% $ONORA&L% TI&"RCIO S. %VALL% IN $IS CA ACIT! AS #IR%CTOR O' AT%NT(S, respondents. Gonzalo W. Gonzalez, Agpalo & Associates for petitioner. Salonga, Ordoez, Yap & Associates and Armando G. Gungon for respondents. '%RNAN#%), J.: This is a petition to review the decision of the Director of Patents in Inter Partes Case No. 304 entitled " Victorias Milling Compan , !nc., petitioner, "erus, Ong Su# dated Au ust !", !#$% den&in the petition to cancel the certificate of re istration issued '& the philippines Patent (ffice on )urie *0, !#$! in favor of (n +u coverin the tradenw, "-A./NTIN/" and desi n and used on refined su ar. 1 The petitioner, -ictorias 0illin
Co1pan&, Inc., a do1estic
with a desi n in connection with su ar. 3 The petitioner5s onl& witness, Pacifica -. -i6andre its vice7 president and stoc,holder, testified that -ictorias 0illin Co1pan&, Inc. has used since !#4% the trade1ar, "-ictorias" and dia1ond desi n with colors of red and 'lac, on sac,s of su ar havin varia'le wei ht and si8e of " l's., !0 l's., *" N., "0 l's., and !00 l's.3 that the co1pan& had transactions on or sales of su ar with local dealers such as 9i1 9ee, Chu :u ; Co., .i1ouan ; Co., .u8on 0erchandisin Corp. and A2CA that the avera e sale fro1 !#"4 to !#$* was P30,000,000 and for the whole &ear of !#$* the sale was P4$,000,0003 that he ca1e to ,now that the trade1ar, "-alentine" appeared in the 1ar,et in !#$* throu h the report of his co1pan&5s field a ents3 and that e<cept for the words "-alentine and -ictorias", the desi n and wordin s of the 'a s are practicall& the sa1e. 4 The respondent, (n +u dec== that he adopted and 'e an usin his trade1ar, "-alentine" and desi n 'efore and continuousl& after =orld =ar II in the Philippines, particularl& on paper 'a s used as containers for starch, coffee and su ar3 and that since )anuar& !#"" he continued usin said trade1ar, on repac,ed su ar. Arturo Chicane a witness for the respondent, testified that he was a distri'ution a ent of (n +u that he travelled a lot 'ut he river own across an instance when the respondent (n +u product was 1ista,en for the petitioner5s product3 that he found the dia1ond desi n to 'e >uite co11on in co1'ination with other words used as trade1ar,s as a 'ac, round or to enhance their appearance, such as "DIA0(ND" and desi n ?/<hi'it ""47A"@, "/AA./" and desi n ?/<hi'it ""3"@, and "+BN2I+/" and desi n ?/<hi'it """"@, not 'elon in to the petitioner, which are also used on repac,ed su ar '& various
su ar dealers3 and that said desi ns and the color of the lines on which drawn had not 'een re arded as trade1ar,s 'ut we orna1entation. * The Director of Patents denied the petition to cancel the certificate of re istration of the respondent (n +u coverin the trade1ar, "-alentine" and desi n 'ecauseC Dro1 the facts of record, I find nothin to sustain the petition. There is no >uestion that as to their respective literal desi nation the trade1ar,s are different. (ne is -A./NTIN/ while the other is -ICT(2IA+. Thus, as to sound and connotation there is no dispute as to their dissi1ilarit&. Eowever, fro1 the evidence and pleadin s, it appears that petitioner is rel&in heavil& on its dia1ond desi n, the color sche1e, and the printin se>uence or arran e1ent of such le ends as wei ht, contents and 1anufacturer or pac,er. I a1 of the fir1 'elief that the dia1ond Portion of petitioner5s trade1ar, ha not 'olstered its cause. Co11on eo1etric shapes such as circles, ovals, s>uares, trian les, dia1onds, and the li,e, when used as vehicles for displa& on word 1ar,s, ordinaril& are not retarded as indicia of ori in for oods to which the 1ar,s are applied, unless of course the& have ac>uired secondar& 1eanin . I have scoured the records co1pletel& to ascertain if the petitioner has su'1itted satisfactor& evidence in this re ard, 'ut I find a'solutel& nothin to 'ase a rulin that
the trian le ?sic@ desi n has ac>uired a secondar& 1eanin with respect to its su ar 'usiness. It is the co11on practice for trade1ar, owners to re ister desi ns for1in outline of their distin uishin 1ar,, 'ut when the re istrant of such desi n relies upon re istration in proceedin 'ased upon li,elihood of confusion of purchasers, he assu1es the 'urden of showin that the desi n portion of the 1ar, has 'een so used that purchasers reco ni8e the desi n, standin alone, as indicatin oods e1anatin fro1 the re istrant. $ausc% & &om' Optical Co., ". O"erseas (inance & )rading Co., !nc. ?Co1rPats@ !!* B+PF $. Considerin herein that the petitioner failed to esta'lish that dia1ond desi n co1ponent of its 1ar, has ac>uired a secondar& 1eanin and that the literal portion of the 1ar,s have no si1ilarit&, there is no reasona'le li,elihood of purchaser confusion resultin fro1 re istrant5s use of -A./NTIN/ within a dia1ond and petitioner5s use of -ICT(2IA+ within a dia1ond. As re ards the colors 'lac, and red used, it is funda1ental in trade1ar, 6urisprudence that color alone, unless displa&ed in a distinct or ar'itrar& desi n, does not function as a trade1ar,, inas1uch as here, or elsewhere, the colors 'lac, and red are not so displa&ed '& the petitioner, and are pri1ar& colors co11onl& and freel& used in the printin 'usiness.
2* Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
Dinall&, as re ards the printin se>uences or arran e1ent of such le ends as wei ht, contents, and 1anufacturer or pac,er, I re ard it as 1erel& a 1atter pertainin to the address of the oods5 G a 1atter involvin unfair co1petition over which the Patent (ffice has no 6urisdiction. ?+eeC 0en8i ; Co., Inc, vs. Andres Co Dee. No. "# dated (ct. 3!, !#"*, Dir. of Patents.@ And in the case of A. /. +tale& 0anufacturin Co., Inc. vs. Andres Co. v. Tan Ton , citin , Aillette +afet& 2a8or Ao. v. Trian le 0echanical .a'oratories, 3! B+PF *43 Aladdin 0f . Co. v. 0antle .a1p Co., *! B+PF "43 and ). C. /no ?B.+.@ .i1ited v. Desha&as *# B+PF !%#@, it was held that the tri'unals of the Philippines Patent (ffice have no 6urisdiction over >uestions of unfair co1petition. At 1ost, the petitioner5s recourse is for it to see, relief in civil courts. The alle ations that the re istration of -A./NTIN/ was o'tained fraudulentl&3 that it falsel& su ests a connection with +t. -alentine3 and that it is 1erel& descriptive or deceptivel& 1isdescriptive of su ar have no 'asis in law and fact. + The petitioner su'1its that the Director of Patents co11itted the followin errorsC I TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT P/TITI(N/25+ 2/AI+T/2/D DIA0(ND D/+IAN I+ N(T AN
IND/H (D (2IAIN. II TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT P/TITI(N/2 I+ 2/FBI2/D T( /+TAI.I+E TEAT IT+ DIA0(ND D/+IAN EA+ ACFBI2/D A +/C(NDA2: 0/ANINA. III TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA P/TITI(N/25+ DIA0(ND D/+IAN EA+ N(T ACFBI2/D A +/C(NDA2: 0/ANINA. ITE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT TE/ D/TAI.+ (D P/TITI(N/25+ D/+IAN TEAT EA-/ I//N I0ITAT/D I: 2/+P(ND/NT (NA +B 0/2/.: P/2TAIN T( TE/5D2/++ (D TE/ A((D+.5 TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN C(NDININA EI+ C(0PA2I+(N (D P/TITI(N/25+ AND 2/+P(ND/NT5+ 2/+P/CTI-/ T2AD/0A29+ T( (N/ +(./ IT/0 (D TE/I2 D/+IAN, IAN(2INA TE/ C(0P./T/ .AI/.+ A+ ACTBA..: B+/D IN T2AD/ AND +//N I: C(N+B0/2+. -I TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+
/22/D IN TA9INA TE/ P(+ITI(N TEAT IN CA+/+ (D T2AD/0A29 CANC/..ATI(N IN-(.-INA, A0(NA (TE/2+, (I-I(B+ ACT+ (D BNDAI2 C(0P/TITI(N, E/ N//D N(T TA9/ AN: ACTI(N =EAT+(/-/2, +INC/ E/ +BPP(+/D.: EA+ N( )B2I+DICTI(N IN TE/ P2/0I+/+. -II TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT P/TITI(N/25+ 2/AI+T/2/D C(.(2 D/+IAN D(/+ N(T DBNCTI(N A+ A T2AD/0A29. -III TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT I/CAB+/ TE/ .IT/2A. P(2TI(N+ (D TE/ 2/+P/CTI-/ T2AD/0A29+ IN FB/+TI(N, NA0/.:, TE/ 2/+P/CTI-/ NA0/+ 5-ICT(2IA+5 AND 5-A./NTIN/5, EA-/ N( +I0I.A2IT:, TE/2/ I+ N( 2/A+(NAI./ .I9/.IE((D (D PB2CEA+/2 C(NDB+I(N. IH TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN A++B0INA TEAT P/TITI(N/2, (2 TE/ (=N/2 (D AN: I0ITAT/D (2 IND2INA/D T2AD/0A29 D(2 TEAT 0ATT/2, 0B+T /+TAI.I+E ACTBA. PB2CEA+/2 C(NDB+I(N. H TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+
/22/D IN P2/-/NTINA TE/ T/+TI0(NI/+ (D 2/+P(ND/NT (NA +B AND =ITN/++ /2N/+T( DB2AN A+ 2/IBTTA. =ITN/++/+ D(2 P/TITI(N/2, +AID 2B.INA+ (D 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 C(N+TITBTINA 2/-/2+II./ /22(2 AND TE/ D/NIA. (D P2(C/DB2A. DB/ P2(C/++. HI TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+ /22/D IN E(.DINA TEAT TE/ 2/AI+T2ATI(N (D TE/ -A./NTIN/ T2AD/0A29 I: 2/+P(ND/NT (NA +B =A+ N(T P2BDB./NT.: (ITAIN/D. HII TE/ 2/+P(ND/NT DI2/CT(2 (D PAT/NT+, ACTINA TfI2(BAE E/A2INA (DDIC/2 A0AND( 0A2FB/J, /22/D IN AD0ITTINA 2/+P(ND/NT (NA +B5+ /HEIIIT+ P/2TAININA T( (N/ 50A2IAN( ANA +AID NA0/ N(T EA-INA I//N C./A2.: /+TAI.I+E/D A+ AN A.IA+, A.ETE(BAE AD0ITT/D.: BNABTE(2IJ/D, (D 2/+P(ND/NT (NA +B. 7 The contention of petitioner that the dia1ond desi n in its trade1ar, is an inde< of ori in has no 1erit. The petitioner has not shown that the desi n portion of the 1ar, has 'een so used that purchasers reco ni8e the desi n, standin alone, as indicatin oods co1in fro1 the re istrant. As correctl& stated '& the Director of Patents, co11on eo1etric shapes such as dia1onds ordinaril& are not
2> Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
re arded as indicia of ori in for oods to which the re1ar,s are applied unless the& have ac>uired a secondar& 1eanin . And there is no evidence that the dia1ond desi n in the trade1ar, of the petitioner has ac>uired a secondar& 1eanin with respect to its su ar 'usiness. The word "-ictorias" is what Identifies the su ar contained in the 'a as the product of the petitioner. Indeed, the petitioner has advertised its su ar in 'a s 1ar,ed "-ictorias" with oval, he<a or. and other desi ns. The evidence is that (n +u has 'een usin his trade1ar, since prior to the last =orld =ar and he o'tained the re istration thereof on )une *0, !#$!. -i6andre declared that the petitioner started to use its trade1ar, onl& in !#4%. +aid trade1ar, was re istered on Nove1'er #, !#$!. It cannot 'e said, therefore, that the respondent (n +u i1itated the trade1ar, of the petitioner. The petitioner avers that purchasers of su ar are li,el& to confuse petitioner5s "-ictorias" trade1ar, and respondent (n +u5s "-alentine" trade1ar, 'ecause of the followin si1ilaritiesC !. Ioth trade1ar,s have the sa1e dia1ond desi n with the sli ht 1odification that the lines of the "-A./NTIN/" dia1ond desi n are a little protrudin at the ends. *. The lines for1in the dia1ond desi n in 'oth trade1ar,s consist of two lines, na1el&, the outer portion and the inner portion. 3. The outer portion of the dia1ond desi n of 'oth trade1ar,s has the color 'lac, as shown in the speci1ens ?/<hi'its "A" and "I"@. The, inner line of the dia1ond desi n in 'oth trade1ar,s
has the color red. 4. In 'oth trade 1ar,s, the word "PB2/" in 'lac, print appears inside of the upper portion of the dia1ond desi n. ". In 'oth trade 1ar,s, the word "-ICT(2IA+" and the word -A./NTIN/5 placed within the dia1ond desi n are conspicuousl& colored red. $. The letter "-" in -ictorias and the letter "-" in -alentine are Identicall& placed. %. The word "-ICT(2IA+" and the word "-A./NTIN/" are Identicall& arran ed, the sa1e containin the sa1e nu1'er of letters. 4. I11ediatel& 'elow the words "-ICT(2IA+" and "-A./NTIN/"appears the words "2/DIN/D +BAA2". #. underneath the dia1ond desi n in 'oth trade1ar,s are the words "DIN/ A2ANB.AT/D" and 'elow said phrase are the words 5CAN/ +BAA25with a s1all dia1ond desi n. !0. Ioth, trade 1ar,s are used on refines su ar. !!. The words "PB2/," "-A./NTIN/," "-ICT(2IA+," "DIN/ A2ANB.AT/D" and "CAN/ +BAA2" in 'oth trade 1ar,s are sa1e has arran ed and printed.9 The respondent (n +u 1aintains that the alle ed are 1inor for the followin reasonC Appellant atte1pts to show the possi'ilit& or li,elihood of purchaser confusion '& pointin out
alle ed si1ilarities in the pac,a es in >uestion, e. . "Pure 2efined +u ar" appearin in 'oth 1ar,s in >uestion. It should 'e noted, however, that these words are 1erel& descriptive co11onl& applied to the oods, na1el&, su ar, and cannot 'e e<clusivel& appropriated '& the petitioner. The other alle ed si1ilarities pointed to '& appellant G that the lines for1in the dia1ond desi n in 'oth trade1ar,s consist of two lines, the outer portion and the inner portion3 that the dia1ond desi n in 'oth tradeniar,s has the color 'lac, and the inner line of 'oth desi ns has the red color3 that the dia1ond desi n as used '& the petitioner and '& respondent are of the sa1e si8e3 that the letter 5-5 in -ictorias and the letter "-" in "-alentine" are the sa1e si8e3 and that the letter 5-5 in -ICT(2IA+ and the letter "-" in the -alentine pac,a e are Identicall& pIaced in the dia1ond3 and that G the word "-ictorias" and the word "-A./NTIN/" are Identicall& arran ed within the dia1ond G are, we su'1it with respect, 1inor and insi nificant for the purpose of this petition even if the o'servations of appellant are correct.10 It see1s clear that the words "-alentine" and "-ictorias" and the na1es and places of 'usiness of -ictorias 0illin Co1pan&, Inc. and (n +u are the do1inant features of the trade1ar,s in >uestion. The petitioner has not esta'lished such a su'stantial si1ilarit& 'etween the two trade1ar,s in >uestion as to warrant the cancellation of the trade1ar, 5-alentine5of the respondent +u. The Director of Patents correctl& ruled that he has no 6urisdiction over the issue of unfair co1petition. Bnder +ection *% of the Trade 0ar, .aw,
2epu'lic Act No. !$$, after actions for unfair co1petition shall 'e 'rou ht 'efore the proper Court of Dirst Instance. The refusal of the Director of Patents to allow respondent (n +u and witness /1esto Duran to testif& on re'uttal is not a reversi'le effort. The onl&5purpose of the petitioner in proposin to call (n +u as a witness on re'uttal is to as, the latter if he had 6udicial authorit& to use the alias 50ariano5. An It appears, however, that the counsel of petitioner had alread& e<tensivel& cross7 e<a1ined (n +u as to a citi8enship, alien certificate of re istration and the other na1e 0ariano An . It see1s i11aterial whether or not (n +u has 6udicial authorit& to use 0ariano An as an alias. There is evidence that even 'efore the last =orld =ar, the trade1ar, 5-alentine5 and desi n had 'een used under the na1e of either (n +u or 0ariano An . The petitioner sou ht to present /1esto T. Duran as re'uttal witness to prove that there was a confusion a1on consu1ers or 'u&ers of su ar caused '& the alle ed sororit& of the "-ictorias" and "-alentine" trade1ar,s. The presentation of /1esto T. Duran as re'uttal witness was o'6ected to '& counsel of the respondent on the round that the evidence sou ht to 'e elicited fro1 Duran did not directl& contradict the testi1on& of witness Chicane The o'6ection was sustained '& the hearin officer whose rulin was su'se>uentl& confer '& the Director of Patents. Counsel for the petitioner 1ade the followin for1al offer of proofC ATT:. A(NJA./JC :our Eonor please, in view of the rulin of the Eonora'le Director &our Eonor please on the ad1issi'ilit& of certain ite1s of evidence, which resolution dated De'ruar& *!, !#$$ was
received '& undersi ned counsel for the petitioner on De'ruar& **, !#$$, said resolution was settin the hearin of this case for this 1ornin , I wish to state, I wish to re ister 1& e<ception, 1& respectful e<ception to said resolution. In view of the resolution not per1ittin 1e to present 0r. /rnesto Duran, 1& proposed witness who1 I atte1pted to present at the last hearin , I wish to offer as proof the followin ite1s ol5 the testi1on& of witness Duran. Now as he would o shoppin with his parents and that so1eti1e in the 1onth of De'ruar& !#$3 he went to the Aran>ue 1ar,et, and while he was 'u&in roceries he saw a shelf with five ?"@ l's. 'a of su ar with the 'a and pac,a e he thou ht was -ICT(2IA+. =itness Duran will further testif& that he went to the shelf and pointed to the 'a of su ar and hesaid Isan support n -ictorias An . That the su ar was ta,en '& the shop,eeper and when he went ho1e he found out that the su ar was 1ar,ed -A./NTIN/. lie went on a ain on another ti1e later and saw that the shelf was still filled with five ?"@ pounds ?l's,@ 'a -A./NTIN/ su ar. The shelf also has 'a s of -ICT(2IA+ su ar side '& side with -A./NTIN/ su ar, that the pac,a e of -A./NTIN/ loo,ed so 1uch ali,e will -ICT(2IA+ su ar that he was 1isled into pointin to -A./NTIN/ and as,ed for -ICT(2IA+. E/A2INA (DDIC/2C =hat is that, is that supposed to 'e the
testi1on& of witness DuranK ATT:. A(NJA./JC :es, &our Eonor, I a1 offerin as proof of what the witness Duran would have testified. +ince this office has ruled that I cannot present hi1 an offer of proof is 'ein 1ade for purposes of puttin on record what he would have testified to on record in accordance with the 2ules of /vidence. 11 Eavin 1ade the fore oin for1al offer of proof, the petitioner cannot co1plain that it was denied procedural due process. The proposed testi1on& of /1esto T. Duran that in De'ruar& !#$3 he went to Aran ue 1ar,et and 'ou ht one 'a of su ar which he thou ht was "-ictorias" and when he went ho1e he found out that the su ar was 1ar,ed "-alentine" is not sufficient evidence that the two trade1ar,s are so si1ilar that 'u&ers of su ar are confused. The words "-ictorias" and "-alentine" are not si1ilar in spellin and do not have a si1ilar sound when pronounced. /ven the dia1ond desi ns are different. The dia1ond desi n of the trade1ar, "-alentine" has protrudin fines at the co1ers. /ven an illiterate person can see the difference 'etween the two dia1ond desi ns. There is no evidence that the respondent (n +u had o'tained the re istration of his trade1ar, "-alentine" and desi n '& 1eans of fraud. The said trade1ar, was re istered in the Philippines Patent (ffice 'efore the petitioner re istered its trade1ar,. The record and evidence show that (n +u had also used in his 'usiness the na1e 0ariano An . Eence the licenses and per1its in the na1e of (n +u andLor 0ariano An were
correctl& ad1itted as evidence. =E/2/D(2/ the decision of the Director of Patents sou ht to 'e reviewed is here'& affir1ed, without pronounce1ent as to costs. +( (2D/2/D. )ee%an*ee +C%airman,, Ma*asiar, Muoz -alma, Martin and Guerrero, ..., concur.
+,R3# 4,B,3,ON G.R. No. 9837+ A,-,.t 1+, 1991 %O L% O' T$% $ILI IN%S, petitioners, vs. $ON. &A!ANI S. RIV%RA, /,0-e, &r1234 129 , Re-5o216 Tr516 Co,rt o7 816oo912 C5t:, 120 ;IL'R%#O L. %M&RANO, respondent. )%e Solicitor General for petitioner. /duardo S. 0odriguez for pri"ate respondent. NARVASA, J.:p The special civil action of certiorari at 'ar instituted in this Court to annul an order rendered '& the 2e ional Trial Court at 9aloo,an Cit&, Iranch !*#, in a prosecution for arson doc,eted in that Court as Cri1inal Case No. *44*0 ?4%@. Accused in that case of arson is =ilfredo .. +e1'rano. It is
the prosecution5s theor& that he wilfull& caused the fire in the earl& 1ornin of 0a& *!, !#4% which totall& 'urned and destro&ed the second and third floors of the "I .ove :ou 2estaurant and +auna Iath" owned '& )uanita .. Tan, located at No. * .. Iusta1ante +t. 9aloo,an Cit&. 1 A1on the witnesses presented '& the Aovern1ent to de1onstrate +e1'rano5s culpa'ilit& was Ien6a1in .ee, a roo1 'o& of the restaurant and 'ath. .ee testified on direct e<a1ination at the hearin of Dece1'er 4, !#4%. Eis testi1on& was essentiall& that +e1'rano had run out of the -IP roo1 where the fire had started and refused to heed his ?.ee5s@ call to stop. .ee too, the witness stand a ain on April *$, !#4% durin which he was cross7e<a1ined '& defense counsel, ave additional evidence on redirect e<a1ination, was a ain >uestioned on recross7e<a1ination '& the sa1e defense counsel, and thereafter allowed to step down. 2 The prosecution co1pleted presentation of its evidence7in7 chief in due course. Iut 'efore it could rest its case, and two ?*@ 1onths or so after Ien6a1in .ee had co1pleted his testi1on&, the defendant5s ori inal counsel, Ien6a1in Dor1oso, withdrew his appearance and was su'stituted '& another attorne&, /duardo +. 2odri ue8. 3 The latter then filed a 1otion on )une 4, !#44 to recall Ien6a1in .ee for further e<a1ination. 4 The round relied upon '& Att&. 2odri ue8 was si1pl& that after he had reviewed the record of Ien6a1in .ee5s testi1on&, he ca1e to the conclusion that " t%ere seems to 'e man points and 1uestions t%at s%ould %a"e 'een as*ed 'ut 2ere not profounded +sic, ' t%e ot%er defense counsel 2%o conducted.. +t%e cross3e4amination, . It was on this aver1ent, and counsel5s reference to "the ravit& of the offense char e ?sic@" and the need "to afford the
accused full opportunit& to defend hi1self," that .ee5s recall for further cross e<a1ination was sou ht to 'e 6ustified. (ver o'6ections of the prosecution, the Court * ranted the 1otion. /fforts were thereafter e<erted to cause witness Ien6a1in .ee to a ain appear 'efore the Court for further cross7 e<a1ination. These efforts 1et with no success3 and the trial had to 'e postponed several ti1es. It appears that .ee had ter1inated his e1plo&1ent and 1oved elsewhere without indicatin his new address. +o, on (cto'er !, !##0 the private prosecutor filed a "0anifestation and 0otion" drawin attention to the ina'ilit& to procure the re7appearance of witness .ee for which "the prosecution could not 'e held lia'le," and to the fact that ".ee has alread& 'een thorou hl& e<a1ined '& the for1er defense counsel," and pra&in upon these pre1ises "that the farther e<a1ination of Ien6a1in .ee 'e dispensed with and ... the prosecution ... allowed to ter1inate the presentation of its evidence." I& (rder dated (cto'er *, !##0, + the Trial Court denied the 1otion to dispense with the recall of Ien6a1in .ee. In fact, it ordered the testi1on& of Ien6a1in .ee for the prosecution << stric,en off the record for lac, of co1plete cross7e<a1ination" 'ecause the witness could no lon er 'e found, and "the failure of counsel for the accused to further cross7e<a1ine the witness is not the fault of the defense. 7 In the sa1e order, the Court also set the "reception of further evidence for the prosecution, if an&, ... on (cto'er *3, !##0 << as earlier scheduled." +u'se>uentl&, it denied the private prosecutor5s 1otion for reconsideration of the order. 8 Eence, the action at 'ar, instituted '& the (ffice of the +olicitor
Aeneral. The writ of certiorari pra&ed for will issue. The Trial Court acted with rave a'use of discretion in authori8in the recall of witness Ien6a1in .ee over the o'6ections of the prosecution, and in later stri,in out said witness5 testi1on& for want of further cross7e<a1ination. There is no dou't that a Trial Court has discretion to rant leave for the recall of a witness. This is clear fro1 a readin of +ection #, 2ule !3* of the 2ules of Court, as a1ended, 9 "iz.C +/C. #. 0ecalling 2itness.G After the e<a1ination of a witness '& 'oth sides has 'een concluded, the witness cannot 'e recalled without leave of the court. The court will rant or withhold leave in its discretion, as the interests of 6ustice 1a& re>uire. Iut o'viousl& that discretion 1a& not 'e e<ercised in a vacuu1, as it were, entirel&, isolated fro1 a particular set of attendant circu1stances. The discretion to recall a witness is not properl& invo,ed or e<ercisa'le '& an applicant5s 1ere eneral state1ent that there is a need to recall a witness "in the interest of 6ustice," or "in order to afford a part& full opportunit& to present his case," or that, as here, " t%ere seems to 'e man points and 1uestions t%at s%ould %a"e 'een as*ed" in the earlier interro ation. To re ard e<pressed eneralities such as these as sufficient round for recall of witnesses would 1a,e the recall of witness no lon er discretionar& 'ut 1inisterial. +o1ethin 1ore than the 'are assertion of the need to propound additional >uestions is essential 'efore the Court5s discretion 1a& ri htfull& 'e e<ercised to rant or den& recall. There 1ust 'e a
satisfactor& showin of so1e concrete, su'stantial round for the recall. There 1ust 'e a satisfactor& showin on the 1ovant5s part, for instance, that particularl& identified 1aterial points were not covered in the cross7e<a1ination, or that particularl& descri'ed vital docu1ents were not presented to the witness whose recall is pra&ed for, or that the cross7 e<a1ination was conducted in so inept a 1anner as to result in a virtual a'sence thereof. A'sent such particulars, to repeat, there would 'e no foundation for a trial court to authori8e the recall of an& witness. In the case at 'ar, the respondent Trial Court ranted the defendant5s 1otion for recall on nothin 1ore than said 1ovant5s eneral clai1 that certain >uestions G unspecified, it 1ust 'e stressed G had to 'e as,ed. In doin so, it acted without 'asis, e<ercised power whi1sicall& or capriciousl&, and ravel& a'used its discretion. +o, too, the respondent Court acted whi1sicall&, capriciousl&, and oppressivel&, in other words, ravel& a'used its discretion, in orderin the stri,in out of the entire testi1on& of Ien6a1in .ee after it appeared that he could no lon er 'e found and produced for further e<a1ination. In the first place, the Court acted unilaterall&, without an& 1otion to this effect '& the defense and thus without accordin the prosecution a prior opportunit& to show wh& the stri,in out should not 'e decreed. 0ore i1portantl&, the stri,in out was directed without an& showin whatever '& the defense of the indispensa'ilit& of further cross7e<a1ination, what it was that would have 'een elicited '& further cross7e<a1ination renderin valueless all that the witness had previousl& stated. It should 'e stressed that .ee was su'6ected 'oth to cross7 e<a1ination and recross7e<a1ination '& for1er counsel of the accused +e1'rano. ('viousl& the latter was satisfied that there had 'een sufficient cross7e<a1ination of the witness.
*/ Recallin5 ?itne!!e!
A'sence of cross7e<a1ination 1a& not therefore 'e invo,ed as round to stri,e out .ee5s testi1on& ?as 'ein hearsa&@. And there is no showin whatever in this case that it was the prosecution that placed the witness 'e&ond the reach of the Court, 1uch less of the e<pected nature or tenor of his additional testi1on& which, 'ecause not presented, would necessaril& cause the evidence earlier iven '& .ee to 'eco1e hearsa& or otherwise inco1petent, and therefore, a1ena'le to 'ein stric,en fro1 the record. =E/2/D(2/, the petition is A2ANT/D and the respondent Court5s challen ed (rder dated (cto'er *, !##0 is NB..IDI/D AND +/T A+ID/, with costs a ainst private respondent. IT I+ +( (2D/2/D. Cruz, Ganca co, Grio3A1uino and Medialdea, ..., concur.
*1 Recallin5 ?itne!!e!

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EN BANC October 29, 1968 G.R. No. L-16941 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, !.

Co1pan&, Inc., a do1estic

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