Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 85401-02 June 4, 1990
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
ROSLIN! RMOS " !#I!, defendant-appellant.
The Solicitor General for plaintiff-appellee.
Romeo C. Alinea for defendant-appellant.


GUTIERRE$, JR., J.:
ppellant Rosalinda Ra!os see"s the #eve#sal of the decisions of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t, &#anch '(, Thi#d )udicial
Re$ion at Olon$apo %it*, findin$ he# $uilt* be*ond #easonable doubt in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,- fo# violatin$ Section . of
Republic ct No. /01+ 2Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct of 3,'1 as a!ended4 and in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,3 fo# violatin$ Section 0
of the sa!e ct and sentencin$ he# to5
34 I!p#ison!ent of si6 2/4 *ea#s and one 234 da* and a fine of P/,---.-- in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,-7
and
14 8ife i!p#ison!ent and a fine of P1-,---.-- in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,3.
The t9o info#!ations filed a$ainst the appellant #espectivel* alle$ed5
%#i!inal %ase No. +,,-
That on o# about the 1,th da* of Nove!be#, 3,.1 in the %it* of Olon$apo, Philippines, and 9ithin the
:u#isdiction of this Hono#able %ou#t, the above-na!ed accused 9ithout bein$ la9full* autho#i;ed, did
then and the#e 9ilfull*, unla9full* and "no9in$l* have in his<he#<thei# pe#son, possession and cont#ol
t9ent* 21-4 stic"s of !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes.
%#i!inal %ase No. +,,3
That on o# about the 1,th da* of Nove!be#, 3,.1 in the %it* of Olon$apo, Philippines, and 9ithin the
:u#isdiction of this Hono#able %ou#t, the above-na!ed accused, 9ithout bein$ la9full* autho#i;ed, did
then and the#e 9ilfull*, unla9full* and "no9in$l* en$a$e in sellin$, delive#in$, $ivin$ a9a* to anothe#
and dist#ibutin$ fou# 204 stic"s of !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes 9hich is<a#e p#ohibited d#u$2s4. 2Rollo, p. /.4
The p#osecution=s ve#sion of the facts, as su!!a#i;ed b* the Solicito#->ene#al, is as follo9s5
On Nove!be# 1,,3,.1, at a#ound '5-- o=cloc" in the evenin$, a civilian info#!e# ca!e to the
Na#cotics %o!!and Office in Olon$apo %it* and #epo#ted that a ci$a#ette vendo# b* the na!e of
=Ma!a Rose= 9as sellin$ !a#i:uana at the co!e# of (#d St#eet and Ri;al venue in Olon$apo %it*
2TSN, pp. 0-+, 3(, Ma* 0, 3,.07 pp. (-0, 33, p#il ,, 3,./4. %aptain %astillo inst#ucted the info#!ant
to conduct a test bu*. He $ave to the info#!ant t9o 214 five-peso bills, notin$ fi#st the se#ial nu!be#s
in his poc"et note 2TSN, pp. +,30-3+, Ma* 0, 3,.07 p. 0, p#il ,, 3,./4. The info#!e# left and afte#
thi#t* 2(-4 !inutes ca!e bac" and $ave to %aptain %astillo t9o 214 stic"s of !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes
2?6hibit =%-1=4 9hich he bou$ht f#o! appellant. %aptain %astillo a$ain inst#ucted the info#!e# to !a"e
anothe# test bu* f#o! the suspect. @#o! his 9allet, %aptain %astillo e6t#acted anothe# t9o 214 five-
peso bills and befo#e handin$ the sa!e to the info#!e#, #eco#ded the se#ial nu!be#s in his poc"et
note 2TSN, pp. 3,-13, Ma* 0, 3,.04.
tea! co!posed of %aptain %astillo, S$t. Tahil ha!ad, %I% Danilo Santia$o and n$el Sudiacal
left 9ith the info#!e#. The info#!e# p#oceeded to 9he#e appellant 9as sellin$ ci$a#ettes to conduct
the ne6t test bu* 9hile the NR%OM a$ents 9aited at the &lac" and Ahite Open &a# located at 'th
St#eet, Ri;al venue, Olon$apo %it* 2TSN, pp. /-', p#il ,, 3,./4. The ba# 9as about th#ee 2(4
bloc"s a9a* f#o! the place 9he#e appellant 9as sellin$ ci$a#ettes 2TSN, pp. 3,, ., Id.4. fte# fo#t*-
five 20+4 !inutes !o#e o# less, the info#!e# a##ived at the &lac" and Ahite &a# and a$ain $ave to
%aptain %astillo t9o 214 stic"s of !a#i:uana 2?6hibit =%-l=7 TSN, p. 1(, Ma* 0, 3,.07 p. /, p#il ,,3,./4.
The tea! then p#oceeded to the place 9he#e appellant 9as sellin$ ci$a#ettes. fte# Identif*in$
the!selves as NR%OM a$ents, %apt. %astillo told appellant that she 9as bein$ placed unde#
a##est fo# ille$al peddlin$ of !a#i:uana. ppellant 9as #eBuested to ta"e out the contents of he# 9allet
2TSN, pp. /-', p#il ,, 3,./, The fou# !a#"ed five- peso bills 9e#e found a!on$ he# possessions
and 9e#e confiscated afte# the se#ial nu!be#s 9e#e confi#!ed b* %aptain %astillo f#o! his #eco#d
2TSN, pp. 1(-1+, Ma* 0, 3,.04. The initial of S$t. Tahil ha!ad 9as also found f#o! the confiscated
five- peso bills 2TSN, p. ,, p#il ,, 3,./4. S$t. ha!ad sea#ched the stall of appellant and found
t9ent* 21-4 stic"s of !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes in a t#ash can placed unde# the s!all table 9he#e appellant
displa*ed the 9a#es she 9as sellin$ 2TSN, p. ', p#il ,, 3,./4. ppellant 9as the#eafte# b#ou$ht to
the station 2TSN, p. 1(, Ma* 0, 3,.04.
t the station, appellant e6ecuted a state!ent confessin$ to he# c#i!es 9hich she s9o#e to befo#e
ssistant %it* @iscal Do!in$o %abali, )#. 2TSN, pp. +-/. )une 1-,3,.07 ?6hibit =>=4.
The !a#i:uana stic"s confiscated 9e#e sent to the Philippine %onstabula#* %#i!e 8abo#ato#* 2P%%84
fo# anal*sis. These 9e#e confi#!ed to be !a#i:uana as evidenced b* the %he!ist#* Repo#t No. MD-
(/(-.1 of Ma#lene Salan$ad, a @o#ensic %he!ist of the P%%8 2See ?6hibit =&=7 TSN, p. (, )an. 3(,
3,./4. 2Rollo, pp. ,1-,04
On the othe# hand, the ve#sion of the appellant as su!!a#i;ed b* the t#ial cou#t, is as follo9s5
... CODn Nove!be# 1,, 3,.1, bet9een ,5-- and 3-5-- o=cloc" in the evenin$ she 9as at the co#ne# of
(#d St., and Ri;al venue, Aest Tapinac, Olon$apo %it*, sellin$ ci$a#ettes and f#uits7 that she does
not have an* table, all she had 9as a s!all 9ooden =papa$= to sho9 he# 9a#es and sell the!7 that
she 9as sittin$ on the s!all =papa$= 9hen %apt. %astillo ca!e and int#oduced hi!self follo9ed b*
th#ee o# fou# othe#s 9ho 9e#e !o#e o# less / to . !ete#s a9a*. She 9as su#p#ised 9h* the* 9e#e
the#e, and that she 9as invited b* %apt. %astillo to the NR%OM office fo# investi$ation to 9hich
invitation she said =*es= afte# 9hich she 9as ta"en to the NR%OM office. &efo#e she 9as ta"en
the#eto, the othe# !en sea#ched the bu#i ba$s 9he#e she used to place he# f#uits 2#eco#ds does 2sic4
not sho9 9hat f#uits she 9as sellin$4 and also he# s!all ci$a#ettes 2sic4 stand7 that the* did not find
an*thin$ unde# the =papa$7 that 9hen she 9as o#de#ed to boa#d the ca#, %astillo told he# =sa"a* na
ho, Ma!a Rose= 2please boa#d no9, Ma!a Rose=47 that she 9as told to b#in$ alon$ he# ci$a#ette
stand7 that inside he# b#o9n 9allet, she has fift* 2P +-.--4 pesos consistin$ of five pesos and ten
pesos7 that it 9as Sudiacal 9ho too" he# 9allet and Sudiacal too" five 2+4 peso bills and told he# that
fou# 204 five peso bills a#e the sa!e !one* 9hich 9as used to bu* !a#i:uana f#o! he#7 that she told
the office# that the !one* 9as he#s as she has been savin$ so!e fo# the #entals. She clai!ed that
she affi6ed he# si$natu#es on the fou# 204 five peso bills because she 9as fo#ced b* Tahil ha!ad b*
sa*in$ =Ma!a Rose=, *ou si$n this, if *ou a#e not $oin$ to si$n this, so!ethin$ 9ill happen to *ou,
*ou 9ill $et hu#t=7 that because she is an old 9o!an, she $ot sca#ed so she si$ned. Ahen Tahil
ha!ad told he# to si$n, ha!ad 9as tailin$ to he# in a no#!al !anne# and seated in f#ont of he#7
that she cannot #e!e!be# havin$ si$ned an*thin$ because she 9as ne#vous, %apt. %astillo
investi$ated he# and the#eafte# 9as b#ou$ht to the @iscal=s Office. She si$ned a docu!ent at the
@iscal=s Office7 that she 9as as"ed if the contents of the docu!ent is 2sic4 t#ue to 9hich she
ans9e#ed =No, si#7 that she 9as not assisted b* a counsel 9hile bein$ investi$ated. She also testified
that she sta*ed at Na#co! fo# five 2+4 da*s7 that %apt. %astillo alone investi$ated he# fo# fou# 204
hou#s and that she li"e9ise 9as not assisted b* counsel at the @iscal=s Office. She clai!ed that
9hen she 9as told b* the @iscal to :ust si$n the docu!ent, @iscal %abali did not sa* an*thin$ 9hen
she said that the contents of the docu!ent a#e not t#ue. 2Rollo, pp. '14
ppellant #aises the follo9in$ assi$n!ent of e##o#s5
I
TH? @INDIN>S O@ @%TS R? SO EN%8?R ND DOE&T@E8, MFIN> TH? %ON%8ESIONS
O@ TH? TRI8 %OERT AITHOET @%TE8 ND 8?>8 8?> TO STND ON.
II
TH? ?VID?N%? O&TIN?D ND TH? P?RSON RR?ST?D AITHOET TH? &?N?@IT O@
ARRNT O@ RR?ST ND S?IGER? MH NOT &? ES?D >INST TH? %%ES?D ND NH
%ONVI%TION @ROM SE%H ?VID?N%? IS NOT V8ID ND >ROEND @OR R?V?RS8.
III
TH? TRI8 %OERT R?8I?D H?VI8H ON TH? %ON@?SSION O@ TH? PP?88NT ND TH?
%ON@?SSION AS ?ITR%T?D IN VIO8TION O@ PP?88NT=S %ONSTITETION8 RI>HTS
=TO R?MIN SI8?NT ND TO %OENS?8=.
IV
AH?N NOT 88 TH? ?8?M?NTS O@ TH? O@@?NS? R? PR?S?NT ND PROV?N,
%ONVI%TION IS NOT PROP?R.
V
TH? R?JEISIT?S IN ORD?R TO %ONVI%T ON %IR%EMSTNTI8 ?VID?N%? R? NOT
PR?S?NT ND NOT %OMP8I?D AITH. 2Rollo, p. +,4
t the outset, it !a* be obse#ved that t9o info#!ations 9e#e filed a$ainst the appellant and the lo9e# cou#t i!posed t9o
sentences on appellant, one fo# sale and the othe# fo# possession of !a#i:uana. This %ou#t !ust e!phasi;e that,
assu!in$ a#$uendo, the findin$s of $uilt fo# both offenses a#e co##ect, the t#ial :ud$e neve#theless e##ed in i!posin$ a
sepa#ate sentence fo# possession because possession of !a#i:uana is inhe#ent in the c#i!e of sellin$ the!. 2People v. de
)esus, 30+ S%R +13 C3,./D7 People v. ndi;a, 3/0 S%R /01 C3,..D4
fte# a ca#eful sc#utin* of the #eco#ds, this %ou#t holds that appellant=s $uilt in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,3 2sale of !a#i:uana4
has not been p#oven be*ond #easonable doubt.
@i#st, the e6t#a:udicial confession e6t#acted f#o! the accused on Nove!be# 1,, 3,.1 is inad!issible in evidence fo#
bein$ violative of the %onstitutional !andate that an* pe#son unde# investi$ation fo# the co!!ission of an offense shall
have the #i$ht to be info#!ed of his #i$ht to #e!ain silent and to have co!petent and independent counsel p#efe#abl* of
his o9n choice. 2#t. III, Section 312l4, %onstitution4
The p#eli!ina#* state!ent #ead to the appellant 9hen he# s9o#n state!ent 9as e6ecuted appea#s as follo9s5
S8HSH N FESN> 8OO& N I&INI&I>H NI ROS8IND RMOS H DVID FH %PTIN
RTERO M. %STI88O P% S HRP NI S>T. THI8 HMD DITO S HIMPI8N N> %NE,
O8ON>PO %ITH, N>HON 1, N> &EAN N> NO&H?M&R? 3,.1.
T>SIHST5 >n$. Rosalinda Ra!os, i"a9 a* nasa ilali! n$ isan$ pa$sisi*asat u"ol sa pa$laba$
sa ipina$baba9al na $a!ot. &a$o "ita tanun$in a* nais "on$ !ala!an !o an$ i*on$ !$a "a#apatan
sa atin$ ba$on$ sali$an$ batas at ito a* an$ !$a su!usunod5
3 I"a9 a* !a* "a#apatan na hu9a$ su!a$ot sa a"in$ !$a itatanon$ sa i*o sa pa$sisi*asat na ito,
1. I"a9 a* !a* "a#apatan na "u!uha n$ isan$ abo$ado upan$ !a"atulon$ sa i*o sa pa$sisi*asat
na ito at
(. no !an an$ i*on$ sasabihin sa pa$sisi*asat na ito a* !aaa#in$ $a!itin laban o# pabo# sa i*o
saan !an$ hu"u!an dito sa atin$ bansa.
TNON>5 N$a*on ala! no na an$ i*on$ !$a "a#apatan sa atin$ ba$on$ sali$an$ batas i"a9 ba a*
"usan$ loob na !a$bibi$a* n$ isan$ sala*sa* na pa9an$ "atotohanan at pa9an$ "atotohanan
la!an$ sa pa$sisi*asat na itoK7
S>OT5 Opo. 2?6hibit >4
This %ou#t finds that such #ecital of #i$hts falls sho#t of the #eBui#e!ent on p#ope# app#isal of constitutional #i$hts. Ae
Buote the #ulin$ in People v. Nicandro 2303 S%R 1., C3,./D45
Ahen the %onstitution #eBui#es a pe#son unde# investi$ation =to be info#!ed= of his #i$ht to #e!ain
silent and to counsel, it !ust be p#esu!ed to conte!plate the t#ans!ission of !eanin$ful
info#!ation #athe# than :ust the ce#e!onial and pe#functo#* #ecitation of an abst#act constitutional
p#inciple. s a #ule, the#efo#e, it 9ould not be sufficient fo# a police office# :ust to #epeat to the pe#son
unde# investi$ation the p#ovisions of Section 1-, #ticle IV of the %onstitution. He is not onl* dut*-
bound to tell the pe#son the #i$hts to 9hich the latte# is entitled7 he !ust also e6plain thei# effects in
p#actical te#!s, e.$., 9hat the pe#son unde# inte##o$ation !a* o# !a* not do, and in a lan$ua$e the
sub:ect fai#l* unde#stands. In othe# 9o#ds, the #i$ht of a pe#son unde# inte##o$ation =to be info#!ed
i!plies a co##elative obli$ation on the pa#t of the police investi$ato# to e6plain, and conte!plates an
effective co!!unication that #esults in unde#standin$ 9hat is conve*ed. Sho#t of this, the#e is a
denial of the #i$ht , as it cannot t#ul* be said that the pe#son has been =info#!ed= of his #i$hts. No9,
since the #i$ht =to be info#!ed i!plies co!p#ehension, the de$#ee of e6planation #eBui#ed 9ill
necessa#* va#*, dependin$ upon the education, intelli$ence and othe# #elevant pe#sonal
ci#cu!stances of the pe#son unde# investi$ation. Suffice it to sa* that a si!ple# and !o#e lucid
e6planation is needed 9he#e the sub:ect is unlette#ed.
lthou$h the #i$ht to counsel is a #i$ht that !a* be 9aived, such 9aive# !ust be volunta#*, "no9in$ and intelli$ent
2People v. %a$uioa, ,+ S%R 1 C3,.-D4.
To insu#e that a 9aive# is volunta#* and intelli$ent, the %onstitution no9 #eBui#es7 that fo# the #i$ht to counsel to be
9aived, the 9aive# !ust be in 9#itin$ and in the p#esence of the counsel of the accused. 2#t. III, Section 312l4,
%onstitution4 The#e is no such 9#itten waiver in this case, !uch less 9as an* 9aive# !ade in the p#esence of counsel.
@iscal %abali, 9ho ad!iniste#ed the oath on the appellant=s e6t#a:udicial confession, and the police office#s 9ho too" it
do9n should "no9 b* no9 that the p#ocedu#e the* follo9ed #esults in inco!petent evidence. If the pu#pose is to $et p#oof
9hich can stand up in cou#t, the* should follo9 the #eBui#e!ents of the %onstitution.
Second, the alle$ed poseu#-bu*e#, 9ho also happens to be the alle$ed info#!ant, 9as neve# p#esented du#in$ t#ial. The
p#esence and Identit* of the poseu#-bu*e# is vital to the case as his ve#* e6istence is bein$ disputed b* the accused-
appellant 9ho denies havin$ sold !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes to an*one. 2People v. le, 30+ S%R +- C3,./D4 Aithout the
testi!on* of the poseu#-bu*e#, the#e is no convincin$ evidence pointin$ to the accused as havin$ sold !a#i:uana.
2People v. @e#nando, 30+ S%R 3+3 C3,./D4 In this case, the alle$ed info#!ant and the alle$ed poseu#-bu*e# a#e one
and the sa!e pe#son. Ae #eali;e that na#cotics a$ents often have to "eep thei# Identities and those of thei# info#!ants
confidential. @o# a p#osecution involvin$ the sale o# dist#ibution of d#u$s to p#ospe# in this pa#ticula# case, ho9eve#, the
info#!ant has to testif*. The testi!on* of the poseu#-bu*e# is #ende#ed co!pellin$ b* the fact that the police office#s 9e#e
situated th#ee bloc"s a9a* f#o! 9he#e the alle$ed sale too" place. The* did not see the actual sale of !a#i:uana. Thus,
Sit. Sudiacal testified5
J &efo#e *ou a##ested the accused, 9he#e did *ou position *ou#selvesK
Ae 9e#e at the &lac" and Ahite Open &a#, si#.
J Ho9 fa# is that f#o! the place 9he#e the accused 9as sellin$ ci$a#ettesK
It is about th#ee bloc"s, si#.
J Hou did not actuall* see the accused sellin$ !a#i:uanaK
Hes, Si# ...,L 2TSN, Ma* 0, 3,.0, p. .4
666 666 666
J Did *ou actuall* see the bu*in$ of the !a#i:uanaK
No, Ma!.
J So, *ou did not see an*thin$K
Hes, Ma!.
J None of the th#ee of *ou, S$t. Sudiacal and %aptain %astillo 9itnessed the
actual bu* of the th#ee stic"s of !a#i:uanaK
Hes, Ma!.
J Hou# basis of the alle$ed bu* b* the info#!ant is his 9o#d that he bou$ht it
f#o! the suspectK
Hes, Ma!. 2TSN, p#il ,, 3,./, pp. 31+-31/4
It is a "no9n fact that d#u$ dealin$s a#e ha#d to p#ove in cou#t. P#ecisel* because of this difficult*, bu*-bust ope#ations
have to be conducted and eve#* effo#t is ta"en such that the suspected pushe# is cau$ht in fla$#ante sellin$ p#ohibited
d#u$s. @o# the culp#it to be convicted, the ele!ent of sale !ust be uneBuivocall* established. In this case, the alle$ed
poseu#-bu*e# 9ho could have cate$o#icall* asse#ted that she bou$ht !a#i:uana f#o! the appellant 9as not p#esented b*
the p#osecution. nd S$ts. ha!ad and Sudiacal could not attest to the fact of sale because the* 9e#e th#ee bloc"s
a9a*. The sale of !a#i:uana 9as the#efo#e not positivel* p#oven.
Despite the absence of the testi!on* of the poseu#-bu*e#, the cou#t a quo, ho9eve#, #elied on ci#cu!stantial evidence in
concludin$ that the#e 9as indeed a sale5
In this case, the accused ad!itted that she 9as the onl* one sellin$ ci$a#ettes at the co#ne# of (#d
St#eet7 the info#!ant told the NR%OM Office#s that thei# =suspect= is a ci$a#ette vendo# positioned
the#eat. The t9o 214 =test bu*= *ielded positive #esults as the info#!ant 9as able to bu* fou# 204
hand#olled stic"s of !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes f#o! he#, t9o at a ti!e. The accused did not as" the #eason
9h* 9hen she 9as invited fo# investi$ation. This act ne$ates innocence and a$ainst hu!an natu#e,
especiall* afte# havin$ int#oduced the!selves as NR%OM a$ents. In he# cont#ol and possession,
t9ent* 21-4 stic"s of si!ila# hand#olled !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes 9e#e #ecove#ed f#o! a t#ash can unde#
he# s!all table. He# counsel on c#oss-e6a!ination as"ed S$t. Tahil ha!ad the follo9in$ 2TSN, p#il
,, 3,./, p. 304 =and in o#de# to sea#ch that t#ash can unde# the table, *ou have to as" o# #eBuest
=Ma!a Rose= to $et out of the 9a* in o#de# to chec" the contents of the 9aste canK= The Buestion
9as ans9e#ed, =Ae as"ed pe#!ission f#o! he# to stand up so 9e can loo" into the contents of he#
s!all table, si#.
Ahen investi$ated, the accused $ave he# state!ent 9hich in fact 9as a confession 9he#e she
ad!itted havin$ sold !a#i:uana ci$a#ettes. She 9as ta"en befo#e the @iscal to subsc#ibe the sa!e.
Ahile she alle$ed that she told the @iscal 2@iscal %abali4 that the contents of he# state!ent a#e not
t#ue, 9h* then did she si$n it befo#e the said @iscalK Ah* did she not insist that he# denial be
#e$iste#ed on the docu!ent so as to #epudiate itK @ea# could not be a valid #eason as she has
al#ead* boldl* spo"en out 9hen she said the contents 9e#e not t#ue. The =!a#"ed !one*= 9e#e
#ecove#ed f#o! he# possession. She did not den* that the fou# 204 five peso bills 9e#e ta"en f#o! he#
9allet. She 9as add#essed as =Ma!a Rose= not once but t9ice b* the app#ehendin$ office#s. He#
counsel du#in$ the c#oss-e6a!ination of the p#osecution 9itnesses and di#ect e6a!ination of the
accused called and add#essed he# as =Ma!a Rose=, and the info#!ant Identified he# not onl* as
Rosalinda Ra!os but also as =Ma!a Rose=. 2t pp. '(-'0, Rollo4
This %ou#t finds that the cited ci#cu!stantial evidence do not establish be*ond #easonable doubt that the#e 9as a sale of
!a#i:uana. %onside#in$ the seve#e penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua i!posed on those 9ho sell o# dist#ibute d#u$s, 9e have
to insu#e that evidence of culpabilit* !ust pass the test of the st#ictest sc#utin*. Ae also have to ta"e into account the
oft#epeated defense in violations of the Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct that the d#u$s o# the !a#"ed !one* 9e#e planted b* police
office#s. Mo#e di#ect and positive evidence is essential.
The failu#e of the appellant to as" 9h* she 9as bein$ invited fo# investi$ation b* the NR%OM office#s does notipso
facto indicate he# $uilt. @ea# could have, p#evented he# f#o! p#opoundin$ inBui#ies to the office#s.
No# does the fact that= !a#"ed !one* 9as found in he# possession sho9 incont#ove#tibl* that she is the selle# of
!a#i:uana. The appellant is a ci$a#ette vendo#. &* the natu#e of he# :ob, the#e is a constant e6chan$e of $oods fo#
!one*. It !a* be fa#- fetched but it is possible that she ca!e into possession of the !a#"ed !one* because she
accepted it in the cou#se of le$iti!ate sales of ci$a#ettes. $ain, it is onl* the poseu#-bu*e# 9ho could testif* that she
$ave !a#"ed !one* to the appellant in e6chan$e fo# !a#i:uana stic"s.
The fact that the appellant si$ned the e6t#a:udicial confession despite he# insistence that its contents 9e#e not t#ue does
not necessa#il* si$nif* $uilt. s ea#lie# stated the e6t#a-:udicial confession cannot be accepted as evidence. It is useless
fo# pu#poses of p#oof of sale of p#ohibited d#u$s.
8astl*, this %ou#t fails to see ho9, f#o! he# bein$ add#essed as Ma!a Rose b* the 9itnesses and appellant=s counsel
and the alle$ed info#!ant poseu#-bu*e#, the sale of !a#i:uana can be infe##ed.
Rule 3((, Section / of the Rules of %ou#t p#ovides5
%i#cu!stantial evidence is sufficient fo# conviction if5
2a4 The#e is !o#e than one ci#cu!stance7
2b4 The facts f#o! 9hich the infe#ence a#e de#ived a#e p#oven7 and
2c4 The co!bination of all the ci#cu!stances is such as to p#oduce a conviction be*ond a #easonable
doubt.
@o# not successfull* !eetin$ the above #eBui#e!ents, the enu!e#ated ci#cu!stantial evidence cannot be a $#ound fo#
conviction fo# the sale of !a#i:uana.
Aith #espect to %#i!inal %ase No., +,,-, ho9eve#, this %ou#t upholds the lo9e# cou#t=s findin$ that the appellant is $uilt*
of possession of !a#i:uana.
Rule 33( Section / 2b4 of the 3,.+ Rules of %#i!inal P#ocedu#e p#ovides5
S?%. /. Arrest without warrant. M 9hen la9ful. M peace office# o# a p#ivate pe#son !a*, 9ithout a
9a##ant, a##est a pe#son5
2b4 Ahen an offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted, and he has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts
indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted it.
Mean9hile, Section 31 of Rule 31/ states5
S?%. 31. Search incident to a lawful arrest. M pe#son la9full* a##ested !a* be sea#ched fo#
dan$e#ous 9eapons o# an*thin$ 9hich !a* be used as p#oof of the co!!ission of an offense,
9ithout a sea#ch 9a##ant.
S$ts. Sudiacal and ha!ad testified that the#e 9as an info#!ant 9ho app#ised the! of the p#esence of a d#u$ pushe# at
the co!e# of (#d St#eet and Ri;al venue, Olon$apo %it*. ctin$ on such info#!ation and in thei# p#esence, thei#
supe#io#, %aptain %astillo, $ave the info#!ant !a#"ed !one* to bu* !a#i:uana. The info#!ant, no9 tu#ned poseu#-bu*e#,
#etu#ned 9ith t9o stic"s of !a#i:uana. %aptain %astillo a$ain $ave said info#!ant !a#"ed !one* to pu#chase 5!a#i:uana.
The info#!ant-poseu# bu*e# the#eafte# #etu#ned 9ith anothe# t9o stic"s of !a#i:uana. The police office#s then p#oceeded
to the co#ne# of (#d St#eet and Ri;al venue and effected the a##est of appellant.
@#o! the above facts, it !a* be concluded that the a##estin$ police office#s had pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts i!plicatin$
the appellant 9ith the sale of !a#i:uana to the info#!ant-poseu# bu*e#. Ae hold the#efo#e that the a##est 9as le$al and
the conseBuent sea#ch 9hich *ielded 1- stic"s of !a#i:uana 9as la9ful fo# bein$ incident to a valid a##est.
The fact that the p#osecution failed to p#ove the sale of !a#i:uana be*ond #easonable doubt does not unde#!ine the
le$alit* of the appellant=s a##est.
It is not necessa#* that the c#i!e should have been established as a fact in o#de# to #e$a#d the detention as le$al. The
le$alit* of detention does not depend upon the actual co!!ission of the c#i!e, but upon the natu#e of the deed 9hen
such cha#acte#i;ation !a* #easonabl* be infe##ed b* the office# o# functiona#* to 9ho in the la9 at the !o!ent leaves the
decision fo# the u#$ent pu#pose of suspendin$ the libe#t* of the citi;en 2People v. Molleda, ./ S%R //' C3,'.D4.
The obli$ation to !a"e an a##est b* #eason of a c#i!e does not p#esuppose as a necessa#* #eBuisite fo# the fulfill!ent
the#eof the indubitable e6istence of a c#i!e 2People v. ncheta, /. Phil. 03+ C3,(,D4.
The appellant a#$ues that if the t9ent* stic"s of !a#i:uana 9e#e in a t#ash can and it 9as not sho9n b* clea# and
convincin$ evidence that the said t#ash can belon$s to the appellant, then she cannot be conside#ed as bein$ in
possession of !a#i:uana.
In disposin$ of this contention, this %ou#t Buotes 9ith app#oval the follo9in$ a#$u!ents of the Solicito#->ene#al5
ppellant=s defense falls a$ainst the cate$o#ical testi!on* of the NR%OM a$ents that the t#ash can
9as found unde# the table 9he#e he# le$iti!ate 9a#es 9e#e bein$ sold. This fact 9as not denied b*
appellant. The#efo#e, she 9as the onl* pe#son 9ho had access to the t#ash can. The sa!e 9as
unde# he# i!!ediate ph*sical cont#ol. She had co!plete cha#$e of the contents of the t#ash can
unde# the table to the e6clusion of all othe# pe#sons. In la9, actual possession e6ists 9hen the thin$
is in the i!!ediate occupanc* and cont#ol of the pa#t*. &ut this is not to sa* that the la9 #eBui#es
actual possession. In c#i!inal la9, possession necessa#* fo# conviction of the offense of possession
of cont#olled substances 9ith intent to dist#ibute !a* be const#uctive as 9ell as actual 2&lac"=s 8a9
Dictiona#*, b#id$e, +th ?dition, pp. /-/-/-'4. It is onl* necessa#* that the defendant !ust have
do!inion and cont#ol ove# the cont#aband. These #eBui#e!ents a#e p#esent in the situation
desc#ibed, 9he#e the p#ohibited d#u$s 9e#e found inside the t#ash can placed unde# the stall o9ned
b* appellant. In fact, the NR%OM a$ents 9ho conducted the sea#ch testified that the* had to as"
appellant to stand so that the* could loo" inside the t#ash can unde# the =papa$= of the appellant.
Hence the t#ash can 9as positioned in such a 9a* that it 9as difficult fo# anothe# pe#son to use the
t#ash can. The t#ash can 9as obviousl* not fo# use b* he# custo!e#s.
ppellant=s a#$u!ents a#e inhe#entl* 9ea" and i!p#obable and cannot stand a$ainst the clea#
evidence pointin$ to he# actual possession of the p#ohibited d#u$. The #a9 facts testified to b* the
NR%OM a$ents 9e#e co##obo#ated b* appellant and thei# conclusion-that she had possession of
the !a#i:uana stic"s found in the t#ash can- is consistent 9ith la9 and #eason.
ppellant fu#the# contends that it is ha#d to believe that she 9ould "eep the !a#i:uana stic"s in a
t#ash can since it is a p#ecious co!!odit* to pushe#s and use#s the#eof.
The above a#$u!ent is !isleadin$. The value of the !a#i:uana is not the p#i!a#* conside#ation in
the conceal!ent of the cont#aband. The p#i!a#* conside#ation is escapin$ detection and a##est.
Obviousl*, the !odus ope#andi 9as to dissi!ulate the act of sellin$ and possession of !a#i:uana
stic"s 9hich ca##ies the capital penalt* 2sic4. ppellant could not displa* it a!on$ he# #e$ula# 9a#es
of ci$a#ettes and f#uits fo# sale. She had to hide the! f#o! public vie9, but nea# enou$h to have
access to the!. The t#ash can, to he# thin"in$, 9ould be the last place to loo" fo# the p#ecious
co!!odit*. Enfo#tunatel*, she 9as found out. The a#$u!ent that it 9as an =unli"el* place= to hide the
p#ecious cont#aband is in fact the ve#* conside#ation in choosin$ it as the hidin$ place fo# the
cont#aband. 2t pp. ,'-3--, Rollo4
Ae #ule, the#efo#e, that the t9ent* stic"s of !a#i:uana a#e ad!issible in evidence and the t#ial cou#t=s findin$ that the
appellant is $uilt* of possession is co##ect.
The lo9e# cou#t, ho9eve#, e##ed in i!posin$ a fi6ed penalt* of si6 2/4 *ea#s and one 234 da* fo# possession of !a#i:uana.
Section 3 of the Indete#!inate Sentence 8a9 2Republic ct 03-( as a!ended4 p#ovides that in i!posin$ a p#ison
sentence fo# an offense punished b* a la9 othe# than the Revised Penal %ode, the cou#t shall sentence the accused to
an indete#!inate sentence, the !a6i!u! te#! of 9hich shall not e6ceed the !a6i!u! fi6ed b* said la9 and the
!ini!u! 9hich shall not be less than the !ini!u! te#! p#esc#ibed b* the sa!e. The penalt* p#esc#ibed b* the
Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct fo# possession of !a#i:uana is i!p#ison!ent #an$in$ f#o! si6 2/4 *ea#s and one 234 da* to t9elve
2314 *ea#s and a fine #an$in$ f#o! P/,--- to P31,---.
AH?R?@OR?, the appealed decision in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,- is @@IRM?D but MODI@I?D. The appellant is
sentenced to suffe# the penalt* of i!p#ison!ent #an$in$ f#o! si6 2/4 *ea#s and one 234 da* to nine 2,4 *ea#s and to pa* a
fine of si6 thousand 2P /,---4 pesos. The appealed decision in %#i!inal %ase No. +,,3 is R?V?RS?D and S?T SID?
and the appellant is acBuitted on $#ounds of #easonable doubt.
SO ORD?R?D.
S?%OND DIVISION
C>.R. No. 300-('. Septe!be# 1/, 1--(.D
P?OP8? O@ TH? PHI8IPPIN?S, plaintiff-appellee, vs. NO?8 TEDTED * PHP and DINDO &O8ON> * NR?T,
accused-appellants.
The Solicito# >ene#al fo# plaintiff-appellee.
Robe#to J. %anete fo# accused-appellant N. Tudtud.
%a!ilo @. Na#ava and le:and#o %abal fo# accused-appellant D. &olon$
SHNOPSIS
ppellants assailed befo#e the Sup#e!e %ou#t the decision of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Davao %it* findin$ the! $uilt*
be*ond #easonable doubt of the c#i!e of ille$al possession of p#ohibited d#u$s and sentenced to suffe# i!p#ison!ent of
#eclusion pe#petua. ppellants contended that the !a#i:uana leaves 9e#e sei;ed in violation of thei# #i$ht a$ainst
un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es, hence, inad!issible in evidence. aSHI%
In acBuittin$ the appellants, the %ou#t held that the sea#ch of appellants= bo6 did not co!e unde# the #eco$ni;ed
e6ceptions to a valid 9a##antless sea#ch7 hence, the !a#i:uana leaves obtained the#eb* 9e#e inad!issible in evidence.
@i#st, the a##estin$ office#s= "no9led$e that appellant 9as in possession of !a#i:uana cannot be desc#ibed as Lpe#sonalL
havin$ lea#ned the sa!e onl* f#o! thei# info#!e#, 9ho in tu#n, obtained the info#!ation onl* f#o! his nei$hbo#s and the
f#iends of appellant Tudtud. Hence, the info#!ation 9as hea#sa*, not of pe#sonal "no9led$e. Second, appellants 9e#e
neithe# pe#fo#!in$ an* ove#t act o# actin$ in a suspicious !anne# that 9ould hint that a c#i!e had been, 9as bein$, o#
9as about to be, co!!itted. If the a##estin$ office#s= testi!onies a#e to be believed, appellants 9e#e !e#el* helpin$ each
othe# ca##* a ca#ton bo6. lthou$h appellant Tudtud did appea# af#aid and pe#spi#in$, pale and t#e!blin$, this 9as onl*
afte#, not befo#e, he 9as as"ed to open the bo6 containin$ the !a#i:uana leaves. Thi#d, the a##estin$ office#s 9e#e not
i!pelled b* an* u#$enc* that 9ould allo9 the! to do a9a* 9ith the #eBuisite 9a##ant. Reco#ds sho9ed that the police
had a!ple oppo#tunit* to appl* fo# a 9a##ant @ou#th, the#e 9as no valid 9aive# of #i$hts a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches
and sei;u#es. The fact that appellant Tudtud did not #esist, and opened the bo6 hi!self 9hen #eBuested to b* the police
office#s, did not a!ount to pe#!ission to the sea#ch. ppellant=s i!plied acBuiescence, if at all, could not have been !o#e
than !e#e passive confo#!it* $iven unde# coe#cive o# inti!idatin$ ci#cu!stances and 9as, thus, conside#ed no consent
at all 9ithin the pu#vie9 of the constitutional $ua#antee.
SH88&ES
3. %ONSTITETION8 8A7 &I88 O@ RI>HTS7 RI>HT >INST ENR?SON&8? S?R%H?S ND
S?IGER?S7 ?VID?N%? O&TIN?D IN VIO8TION O@ TH? RI>HT IS INDMISSI&8? IN ?VID?N%?. M The #i$ht
a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es is secu#ed b* Section 1, #ticle III of the %onstitution, 9hich states5 S?%. 1.
The #i$ht of the people to be secu#ed in thei# pe#sons, houses, pape#s, and effects a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and
sei;u#es of 9hateve# natu#e and fo# an* pu#pose shall be inviolable, and no sea#ch 9a##ant o# 9a##ant of a##est shall
issue e6cept upon p#obable cause to be dete#!ined pe#sonall* b* the :ud$e afte# e6a!ination unde# oath o# affi#!ation
of the co!plainant and the 9itnesses he !a* p#oduce, and pa#ticula#l* desc#ibin$ the places to be sea#ched and the
pe#sons o# thin$s to be sei;ed. The #ule is that a sea#ch and sei;u#e !ust be ca##ied out th#ou$h o# 9ith a :udicial
9a##ant7 othe#9ise, such sea#ch and sei;u#e beco!es Lun#easonableL 9ithin the !eanin$ of. the above Buoted
constitutional p#ovision, and an* evidence secu#ed the#eb*, 9ill be inad!issible in evidence Lfo# an* pu#pose in an*
p#oceedin$.L Section ( 214, #ticle III of the %onstitution e6plicitl* p#ovides5 214 n* evidence obtained in violation of... the
p#ecedin$ section shall be inad!issible fo# an* pu#pose in an* p#oceedin$.
1 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ?I%?PTIONS. M The p#osc#iption in Section 1, #ticle III, ho9eve#, cove#s onl*
Lun#easonableL sea#ches and sei;u#es. The follo9in$ instances a#e not dee!ed Lun#easonableL even in the absence of a
9a##ant5 3. Aa##antless sea#ch incidental to a la9ful a##est. 2Sec. 31, Rule 31/ of the Rules of %ou#t and p#evailin$
:u#isp#udence47 1. Sea#ch of evidence in Lplain vie9.L The ele!ents a#e5 2a4 a p#io# valid int#usion based on the valid
9a##antless a##est in 9hich the police a#e le$all* p#esent in the pu#suit of thei# official duties7 2b4 the evidence 9as
inadve#tentl* discove#ed b* the police 9ho have the #i$ht to be 9he#e the* a#e7 2c4 the evidence !ust be i!!ediatel*
appa#ent7 2d4 Lplain vie9L :ustified !e#e sei;u#e of evidence 9ithout fu#the# sea#ch7 (. Sea#ch of a !ovin$ vehicle. Hi$hl*
#e$ulated b* the $ove#n!ent, the vehicle=s inhe#ent !obilit* #educes e6pectation of p#ivac* especiall* 9hen its t#ansit in
public tho#ou$hfa#es fu#nishes a hi$hl* #easonable suspicion a!ountin$ to p#obable cause that the occupant co!!itted
a c#i!inal activit*7 0. %onsented 9a##antless sea#ch7 +. %usto!s sea#ch7 /. Stop and @#is"7 and '. ?6i$ent and
e!e#$enc* ci#cu!stances.
(. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 AIV?R O@ TH? RI>HT7 R?JEISIT?S TO &? V8ID7 NOT ?ST&8ISH?D IN %S? T &R.-
@inall*, the#e is an effective 9aive# of #i$hts a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es if the follo9in$ #eBuisites a#e
p#esent5 3. It !ust appea# that the #i$hts e6ist7 1. The pe#son involved had "no9led$e, actual o# const#uctive, of the
e6istence of such #i$ht7 (. Said pe#son had an actual intention to #elinBuish the #i$ht. He#e, the p#osecution failed to
establish the second and thi#d #eBuisites. Reco#ds disclose that 9hen the police office#s int#oduced the!selves as such
and #eBuested appellant that the* see the contents of the ca#ton bo6 supposedl* containin$ the !a#i:uana, appellant
Tudtud said Lit 9as al#i$ht.L He did not #esist and opened the bo6 hi!self.
0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 @I8ER? O@ P?RSON TO O&)?%T TO S?R%H DO?S NOT MOENT TO
P?RMISSION TH?R?TO.M The funda!ental la9 and :u#isp#udence #eBui#e !o#e than the p#esence of these
ci#cu!stances to constitute a valid 9aive# of the constitutional #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es. %ou#ts
indul$e eve#* #easonable p#esu!ption a$ainst 9aive# of funda!ental constitutional #i$hts7 acBuiescence in the loss of
funda!ental #i$hts is not to be p#esu!ed. The fact that a pe#son failed to ob:ect to a sea#ch does not a!ount to
pe#!ission the#eto. ... s the constitutional $ua#ant* is not dependent upon an* affi#!ative act of the citi;en, the cou#ts
do not place the citi;en in the position of eithe# contestin$ an office#=s autho#it* b* fo#ce, o# 9aivin$ his constitutional
#i$hts7 but instead the* hold that a peaceful sub!ission to a sea#ch o# sei;u#e is not a consent o# an invitation the#eto,
but is !e#el* a de!onst#ation of #e$a#d fo# the sup#e!ac* of the la9. Thus, even in cases 9he#e the accused volunta#il*
handed he# ba$ o# the chai#s containin$ !a#i:uana to the a##estin$ office#, this %ou#t held the#e 9as no valid consent to
the sea#ch.
+. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 %%ES?D=S 8%F O@ O&)?%TION TO S?R%H ND S?IGER? NOT TNTMOENT TO
VO8ENTRH SE&MISSION TO ARRNT8?SS S?R%H ND S?IGER?7 %S? T &R.- ppellants= i!plied
acBuiescence, if at all, could not have been !o#e than !e#e passive confo#!it* $iven unde# coe#cive o# inti!idatin$
ci#cu!stances and is, thus, conside#ed no consent at all 9ithin the pu#vie9 of the constitutional $ua#antee.
%onseBuentl*, appellants= lac" of ob:ection to the sea#ch and sei;u#e is not tanta!ount to a 9aive# of his constitutional
#i$ht o# a volunta#* sub!ission to the 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e. s the sea#ch of appellants= bo6 does not co!e
unde# the #eco$ni;ed e6ceptions to a valid 9a##antless sea#ch, the !a#i:uana leaves obtained the#eb* a#e inad!issible in
evidence. nd as the#e is no evidence othe# than the hea#sa* testi!on* of the a##estin$ office#s and thei# info#!ant, the
conviction of appellants cannot be sustained.
/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ?8&ORT?D. M The &ill of Ri$hts is the bed#oc" of constitutional $ove#n!ent. If people a#e
st#ipped na"ed of thei# #i$hts as hu!an bein$s, de!oc#ac* cannot su#vive and $ove#n!ent beco!es !eanin$less. This
e6plains 9h* the &ill of Ri$hts, contained as it is in #ticle III of the %onstitution, occupies a position of p#i!ac* in the
funda!ental la9 9a* above the a#ticles on $ove#n!ental po9e#. The #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e in
tu#n is at the top of the hie#a#ch* of #i$hts, ne6t onl* to, if not on the sa!e plane as, the #i$ht to life, libe#t* and p#ope#t*,
9hich is p#otected b* the due p#ocess clause. This is as it should be fo#, as st#essed b* a couple of noted f#eedo!
advocates, the #i$ht to pe#sonal secu#it* 9hich, alon$ 9ith the #i$ht to p#ivac*, is the foundation of the #i$ht a$ainst
un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e Lincludes the #i$ht to e6ist, and the #i$ht to en:o*!ent of life 9hile e6istin$.L
?!phasi;in$ such #i$ht, this %ou#t decla#ed in People v. #uta5 En#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es a#e the !enace
a$ainst 9hich the constitutional $ua#antees affo#d full p#otection. Ahile the po9e# to sea#ch and sei;e !a* at ti!es be
necessa#* to the public 9elfa#e, still it !a* be e6e#cised and the la9 enfo#ced 9ithout t#ans$#essin$ the constitutional
#i$hts of the citi;ens, fo# the enfo#ce!ent of no statute is of sufficient i!po#tance to :ustif* indiffe#ence to the basic
p#inciples of $ove#n!ent. Those 9ho a#e supposed to enfo#ce the la9 a#e not :ustified in dis#e$a#din$ the #i$hts of the
individual in the na!e of o#de#. O#de# is too hi$h a p#ice to pa* fo# the loss of libe#t*. s )ustice Hol!es decla#ed5 L3 thin"
it is less evil that so!e c#i!inals escape than that the $ove#n!ent should pla* an i$noble pa#t.L It is si!pl* not allo9ed in
f#ee societ* to violate a la9 to enfo#ce anothe#, especiall* if the la9 violated is the %onstitution itself. Thus, $iven a choice
bet9een lettin$ suspected c#i!inals escape o# lettin$ the $ove#n!ent pla* an i$noble pa#t, the ans9e#, to this %ou#t, is
clea# and ineluctable.
'. R?M?DI8 8A7 %RIMIN8 PRO%?DER?7 ARRNT8?SS RR?STS ND S?R%H?S7 S?R%H
SE&STNTI88H %ONT?MPORN?OES AITH N RR?ST %N PR?%?D? TH? RR?ST I@ TH? PO8I%? HV?
PRO&&8? %ES? TO MF? TH? RR?ST T TH? OETS?T O@ TH? S?R%H.-- It is si$nificant to note that the
sea#ch in Buestion p#eceded the a##est. Recent :u#isp#udence holds that the a##est !ust p#ecede the sea#ch7 the p#ocess
cannot be #eve#sed. Neve#theless, a sea#ch substantiall* conte!po#aneous 9ith an a##est can p#ecede the a##est if the
police have p#obable cause to !a"e the a##est at the outset of the sea#ch. The Buestion, the#efo#e, is 9hethe# the police
in this case had p#obable cause to a##est appellants.
. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PRO&&8? %ES?7 D?@IN?D.MP#obable cause has been defined as5 an actual belief o#
#easonable $#ounds of suspicion. The $#ounds of suspicion a#e #easonable 9hen, in the absence of actual belief of the
a##estin$ office#s, the suspicion that the pe#son to be a##ested is p#obabl* $uilt* of co!!ittin$ the offense, is based on
actual facts, i. e., suppo#ted b* ci#cu!stances sufficientl* st#on$ in the!selves to c#eate the p#obable cause of $uilt of
the pe#son to be a##ested. #easonable suspicion the#efo#e !ust be founded on p#obable cause, coupled 9ith $ood faith
of the peace office#s !a"in$ the a##est.
,. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 R?8I&8? IN@ORMTION 8ON? INSE@@I%I?NT TO )ESTI@H ARRNT8?SS RR?ST. M
The lon$-standin$ #ule in this :u#isdiction, applied 9ith a $#eat de$#ee of consistenc*, is that L#eliable info#!ationL alone is
not sufficient to :ustif* a 9a##antless a##est unde# Section + 2a4, Rule 33(. The #ule #eBui#es, in addition, that the accused
pe#fo#! so!e ove#t act that 9ould indicate that he Lhas co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it an
offense.L
3-. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ?8?M?NTS. M Pe#sonal "no9led$e 9as also #eBui#ed in the case of People v. Do#ia. Recentl*,
in People v. &inad S* %hua, this %ou#t decla#ed invalid the a##est of the accused, 9ho 9as 9al"in$ to9a#ds a hotel
clutchin$ a sealed Gest-O :uice bo6. @o# the e6ception in Section + 2a4, Rule 33( to appl*, this %ou#t #uled, t9o ele!ents
!ust concu#5 234 the pe#son to be a##ested !ust e6ecute an ove#t act indicatin$ he has :ust co!!itted, is actuall*
co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it a c#i!e7 and 214 such ove#t act is done in the p#esence o# 9ithin the vie9 of the
a##estin$ office#. Reliable info#!ation alone is insufficient.
33. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 NOT PR?S?NT IN %S? T &R. M ppellants in this case 9e#e neithe# pe#fo#!in$ an*
ove#t act o# actin$ in a suspicious !anne# that 9ould hint that a c#i!e has been, 9as bein$, o# 9as about to be,
co!!itted. If the a##estin$ office#s= testi!onies a#e to be believed, appellants 9e#e !e#el* helpin$ each othe# ca##* a
ca#ton bo6. lthou$h appellant Tudtud did appea# Laf#aid and pe#spi#in$,L LpaleL and Lt#e!blin$,L this 9as onl* afte#, not
befo#e, he 9as as"ed to open the said bo6. In no sense can the "no9led$e of the he#ein a##estin$ office#s that appellant
Tudtud 9as in possession of !a#i:uana be desc#ibed as Lpe#sonal,L havin$ lea#ned the sa!e onl* f#o! thei# info#!ant
Solie#. Solie#, fo# his pa#t, testified that he obtained his info#!ation onl* f#o! his nei$hbo#s and the f#iends of appellant
Tudtud5 . . . In othe# 9o#ds, Solie#=s info#!ation itself is hea#sa*. He did not even elabo#ate on ho9 his nei$hbo#s o#
Tudtud=s f#iends acBui#ed thei# info#!ation that Tudtud 9as #esponsible fo# the p#olife#ation of d#u$s in thei#
nei$hbo#hood. Indeed, it appea#s that P-3 @lo#eta hi!self doubted the #eliablilit* of thei# info#!ant. The p#osecution, on
#e-di#ect e6a!ination, did not atte!pt to e6t#act an* e6planation f#o! POI @lo#eta fo# his tellin$ silence. %onf#onted 9ith
such a dubious info#!ant, the police pe#haps felt it necessa#* to conduct thei# o9n Lsu#veillance.L This Lsu#veillance,L it
tu#ns out, did not actuall* consist of sta"in$ out appellant Tudtud to catch hi! in the act of pl*in$ his ille$al t#ade, but of a
!e#e L$athe#Cin$D of info#!ation f#o! the assets the#e.L The police office#s 9ho conducted such Lsu#veillanceL did not
identif* 9ho these LassetsL 9e#e o# the basis of the latte#=s info#!ation. %lea#l*, such info#!ation is also hea#sa*, not of
pe#sonal "no9led$e.
31. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 M?R? SE&)?%TIV? %ON%8ESIONS O@ PO8I%? O@@I%?R %ON%?RNIN> TH? ?IIST?N%?
O@ PRO&&8? %ES? NOT &INDIN> ON TH? %OERTS M.>iven that the police had adeBuate ti!e to obtain the
9a##ant, P-3 @lo#eta=s testi!on* that the #eal #eason fo# thei# o!ission 9as thei# belief that the* lac"ed sufficient basis to
obtain the sa!e assu!es $#eate# si$nificance. It !a* be conceded that Lthe !e#e sub:ective conclusions of a police
office# conce#nin$ the e6istence of p#obable cause is not bindin$ on Cthe cou#tsD 9hich !ust independentl* sc#utini;e the
ob:ective facts to dete#!ine the e6istence of p#obable causeL and that La cou#t !a* also find p#obable cause in spite of
an office#=s :ud$!ent that none e6ists.L Ho9eve#, the fact that the a##estin$ office#s felt that the* did not have sufficient
basis to obtain a 9a##ant, despite thei# o9n info#!ation-$athe#in$ effo#ts, #aises se#ious Buestions 9hethe# such
Lsu#veillanceL actuall* *ielded an* pe#tinent info#!ation and even 9hethe# the* actuall* conducted an* info#!ation-
$athe#in$ at all, the#eb* e#odin$ an* clai! to pe#sonal "no9led$e.
3(. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 EN)ESTI@I?D AH?R? PO8I%? O@@I%?RS HV? MP8? OPPORTENITH TO PRO%ER?
ARRNT7 %S? T &R. M- Neithe# 9e#e the a##estin$ office#s i!pelled b* an* u#$enc* that 9ould allo9 the! to do
a9a* 9ith the #eBuisite 9a##ant, P-3 Desie#to=s asse#tions of lac" of ti!e not9ithstandin$. Reco#ds sho9 that the police
had a!ple oppo#tunit* to appl* fo# a 9a##ant, havin$ #eceived Solie#=s info#!ation at a#ound ,5-- in the !o#nin$7 Tudtud,
ho9eve#, 9as e6pected to a##ive at a#ound /5-- in the evenin$ of the sa!e da*. In People v. ?ncinada, sup#a, the %ou#t
#uled that the#e 9as sufficient ti!e to p#ocu#e a 9a##ant 9he#e the police office#s #eceived at 05-- in the afte#noon an
intelli$ence #epo#t that the accused, 9ho 9as supposedl* ca##*in$ !a#i:uana, 9ould a##ive the ne6t !o#nin$ at '5--
a.!.5. . .
30. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 R?>E8RITH IN TH? P?R@ORMN%? O@ O@@I%I8 @EN%TION %NNOT &? INVOF?D
AH?R? TH? ARRNT8?SS RR?ST IS IN D?RO>TION O@ %ONSTITETION8 RI>HT. M On the othe# hand,
because a 9a##antless sea#ch is in de#o$ation of a constitutional #i$ht, peace office#s 9ho conduct it cannot invo"e
#e$ula#it* in the pe#fo#!ance of official functions and shift to the accused the bu#den of p#ovin$ that the sea#ch 9as
unconsented.
3+. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE8? TH?R?ON STRI%T8H %ONSTRE?D. MNeve#theless, the $#eat !a:o#it* of cases confo#!s
to the #ule in &u#$os, 9hich, in tu#n, !o#e faithfull* adhe#es to the lette# of Section +2a4, Rule 33(. Note the ph#ase Lin his
p#esenceL the#ein, connotin$ pe#sonal "no9led$e on the pa#t of the a##estin$ office#. The #i$ht of the accused to be
secu#e a$ainst an* un#easonable sea#ches on and sei;u#e of his o9n bod* and an* dep#ivation of his libe#t* bein$ a
!ost basic and funda!ental one, the statute o# #ule that allo9s e6ception to the #eBui#e!ent of a 9a##ant of a##est is
st#ictl* const#ued. Its application cannot be e6tended be*ond the cases specificall* p#ovided b* la9.
JEISEM&IN>, )., dissentin$ opinion5
3. %ONSTITETION8 8A7 &I88 O@ RI>HTS7 RI>HT >INST ENR?SON&8? S?R%H?S ND
S?IGER?S7 ?I%8ESIONRH RE8?7 ?I%?PTION. M Section 1, #ticle III of the %onstitution, o#dains that sea#ch and
sei;u#e !ust be ca##ied out th#ou$h o# on the st#en$th of a :udicial 9a##ant, absent 9hich such sea#ch and sei;u#e
beco!es Lun#easonableL and that evidence secu#ed on the occasion of such an un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e shall
be inad!issible in evidence fo# an* pu#pose in an* p#oceedin$. &ut this e6clusiona#* #ule is not, ho9eve#, an absolute
and #i$id p#osc#iption. Section +2a4, Rule 33( of the Rules of %ou#t p#ovides one such e6ception 9he#e a peace office# o#
a p#ivate pe#son !a*, 9ithout a 9a##ant, a##est a pe#son 9hen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted,
is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it an offense. In the case at hand. appellants 9e#e cau$ht in fla$#ante
delicto, since the* ca##*in$ !a#i:uana at the ti!e of thei# a##est. 9a##antless a##est, unde# this ci#cu!stance, is
le$iti!ate. It also necessa#il* cloa"s the a##estin$ office# 9ith autho#it* to sea#ch and sei;e f#o! the offende# cont#aband
o# p#ohibited !ate#ial and 9hateve# !a* be used as p#oof of the offense bein$ co!!itted.
1. R?M?DI8 8A7 %RIMIN8 PRO%?DER?7 S?R%H ND S?IGER?7 ARRNT8?SS S?R%H ND
S?IGER?7 R?JEIR?S PRO&&8? %ES?. M Ho9eve#, the instances of pe#!issible a##ests set out in Section +2a4 of
Rule 33(, do not dispense 9ith the #eBuisite p#obable cause befo#e a 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e can be la9full*
conducted. In these cases, p#obable cause !ust onl* be based on #easonable $#ound of suspicion o# belief that a c#i!e
has been co!!itted o# is about to be co!!itted. The #eBui#ed p#obable cause that 9ill :ustif* a 9a##antless sea#ch and
sei;u#e is not dete#!ined b* a fi6ed fo#!ula but is #esolved acco#din$ to the facts of each case.
(. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 )ESTI@I?D &H 8%F O@ MT?RI8 TIM? TO PP8H @OR S?R%H ARRNT. M The
9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e is fu#the# :ustified b* lac" of !ate#ial ti!e to appl* fo# a sea#ch 9a##ant. @aced 9ith such
on-the-spot info#!ation that Tudtud 9ould a##ive that sa!e da* 9ith the p#ohibited d#u$s, the la9 enfo#ce#s had to
#espond Buic"l*. s often said, it is necessa#* to adopt a #ealistic app#eciation of the ph*sical and tactical p#oble!s of the
police, instead of c#iticall* vie9in$ the! f#o! the placid and clinical envi#on!ent of :udicial cha!be#s, if cou#ts of :ustice
9ish to be of unde#standin$ assistance to la9 enfo#ce!ent a$encies in the fi$ht a$ainst c#i!e.
0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 I88?>8 DRE>S DIS%OV?R?D S R?SE8T O@ %ONS?NT?D S?R%H IS DMISSI&8?
IN ?VID?N%? M.Mo#eove#, appellants consented to the sea#ch in this case. This, to !e, is established not !e#el* f#o!
the 9o#ds but the actions ta"en he#eon. Ahen the office#s app#oached appellants, the* fo#!all* int#oduced the!selves
as police!en. The* inBui#ed f#o! appellants about the contents of thei# lu$$a$e, and #eBuested appellant Tudtud to open
the bo6. lthou$h t#e!blin$, appellant Tudtud a$#eed to the #eBuest. Neithe# did appellant &olon$ #esist the sea#ch. In
People vs. %ui;on, 9e held that ille$al d#u$s discove#ed as a #esult of consented sea#ch is ad!issible in evidence. nd,
in People vs. Montilla, 9hen an individual volunta#il* sub!its to a sea#ch o# consents to have the sa!e conducted upon
his pe#son o# p#e!ises, he is p#ecluded f#o! late# co!plainin$ the#eof.
+. ID.7 ?VID?N%?7 %ONSPIR%H7 PR?S?NT IN %S? T &R M The conspi#ac* to co!!it the offense
bet9een appellants Noel Tudtud and Dindo &olon$ clea#l* appea#s f#o! the #eco#ds. The* 9e#e app#ehended at the
sa!e ti!e. The* ali$hted to$ethe# f#o! the bus at the hi$h9a* co#ne# of To#il, Davao %it*. ppellant &olon$ 9as helpin$
his co-appellant Tudtud ca##* the LFin$ @la"esL ca#ton bo6, 9hich contained 9hat tu#ned out to be a la#$e Buantit* of
d#ied !a#i:uana leaves cove#ed b* d#ied fish and concealed in plastic and ne9spape# 9#appe#. These facto#s convince
!e that indeed the t9o appellants had conspi#ed to$ethe# and helped each othe# in the co!!ission of the offense.
/. ID.7 ID.7 D?@?NS? O@ @RM?-EP7 VI?A?D AITH DIS@VOR7 %S? T &R. M s the t#ial cou#t e6plained,
the f#a!e-up an$le in this case that appellants 9ish to peddle in thei# defense does not inspi#e belief. 8i"e alibi, the
defense of f#a!e-up is vie9ed 9ith disfavo#, because it is easil* concocted. It is a co!!on and standa#d line of defense
in cases a#isin$ f#o! violations of the Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct. ppellant Tudtud=s alibi that he ca!e f#o! Fabacan, No#th
%otabato, 9he#e he sold 8evis :eans, is unco##obo#ated. In his !e!o#andu!, he #efe##ed to ?6h. L@L, clai!in$ that the
app#ehendin$ office#s had confiscated the si6 pants then in his possession, althou$h ?6h. L@L #efe#s to the ent#* in the
police blotte# on the a##est of both appellants, 9ith no !ention of a plastic ba$ containin$ / 8evis :eans. In the sa!e vein,
the defense of appellant Dindo &olon$, that he too" the bus f#o! Ha$ono*, Davao del Su#, afte# delive#in$ invitations fo#
his cousin=s 9eddin$, #e!ains a ba#e alle$ation that is not substantiated. The ve#sion of the incident b* the police
office#s, co!in$ as it did f#o! la9 enfo#ce#s p#esu!ed to have #e$ula#l* pe#fo#!ed thei# dut* in the absence of p#oof to
the cont#a#*, and accepted as c#edible b* the t#ial cou#t, has not been disc#edited at all b* appellants 9ho clai!ed a
f#a!e-up 9ithout sufficient bases.
'. ID.7 ID.7 %R?DI&I8ITH O@ AITN?SS?S7 T?STIMONH O@ PO8I%? IN@ORMNT IN N I88?>8 DRE>
%S? M?R?8H %EME8TIV? ND %ORRO&ORTIV? O@ TH? PPR?H?NDIN> O@@I%?RS= ?H?AITN?SS
T?STIMONI?S M .ppellants ne6t assail the c#edibilit* of the civilian info#!ant, 9itness &obon$ Solie#, on the $#ound
that va#ious info#!ations and co!plaints had been filed a$ainst hi! in the %it* %ou#t and Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Davao
%it*. &ut it should be st#essed that 9itness Solie#=s testi!on* is not essential fo# the conviction of the appellants.
Testi!onies of the police info#!ant in an ille$al d#u$ case is !e#el* cu!ulative and co##obo#ative of the app#ehendin$
office#s= e*e9itness testi!onies. Mo#eove#, Solie#=s tip-off 9as not the sole basis fo# the police ope#ation in this case as
the#e 9as p#io# su#veillance conducted b* the police. s it stands, Solie#=s testi!on* !e#el* butt#essed the case fo# the
p#osecution.
.. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 TRI8 %OERT=S ?V8ETION TH?R?O@ ?NTIT8?D TO >R?T R?SP?%T ND AI88 NOT &?
DISTER&?D ON PP?8. M The investi$ative includin$ labo#ato#* p#ocedu#es adopted in this #e$a#d b* %hief Inspecto#
Noe!i uste#o a#e bein$ c#itici;ed b* appellants. The* la!ent that the DuBuenois= 8evine Test conducted b* uste#o at
the PNP %#i!e 8abo#ato#* on the confiscated leaves 9as inconclusive in #e$a#d to dete#!inin$ 9hethe# the confiscated
ite!s 9e#e indeed !a#i:uana, absent an* confi#!ato#* o# othe# tests. Ho9eve#, nothin$ on #eco#d effectivel* ne$ate the
findin$ of the t#ial cou#t that the test 9as #e$ula#l* pe#fo#!ed. The t#ial cou#t=s evaluation of the c#edibilit* of 9itnesses
and thei# testi!onies is entitled to $#eat #espect and 9ill not be distu#bed on appeal, unless the#e appea#s on #eco#d
so!e facts of 9ei$ht and substance that have been ove#loo"ed, !isapp#ehended, o# !isapplied b* the t#ial cou#t.
,. %RIMIN8 8A7 R?PE&8I% %T NO. /01+, S M?ND?D7 I88?>8 POSS?SSION O@ MRI)EN7
?8?M?NTS7 PR?S?NT IN %S? T &R.M The ele!ents of ille$al possession of !a#i:uana a#e5 2a4 the accused is in
possession of an ite! o# ob:ect 9hich is identified to be a p#ohibited d#u$7 2b4 such possession is not autho#i;ed b* la97
and 2c4 the accused f#eel* and consciousl* possessed the said d#u$. The identit* of eithe# appellant as a possesso# of
the sei;ed !a#i:uana leaves is not an issue. &oth 9e#e cau$ht in fla$#ante delicto in a standa#d police ope#ation. The
substance found in appellants= possession 9as identified afte# labo#ato#* anal*sis b* Philippine National Police fo#ensic
che!ist Noe!i uste#o to be !a#i:uana. ppellants= lac" of autho#it* to possess these ite!s 9as also established.
3-. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 POSS?SSION O@ PROHI&IT?D DRE> P?R S? %ONSTITET?S PRIM @%I? ?VID?N%?
O@ FNOA8?D>? OR NIMES POSSID?NDI SE@@I%I?NT TO %ONVI%T N %%ES?D &S?NT STIS@%TORH
?IP8NTION O@ SE%H POSS?SSION7 %S? T &R. M ppellants= a9a#eness of the p#ohibited d#u$=s cha#acte# is
also i##efutable. Ahen stopped b* the police!en, appellant Tudtud 9as holdin$ the plastic ba$ in one hand and a ca#ton
bo6 in his othe# hand, 9ith appellant &olon$ 9as helpin$ hi! in ca##*in$ said bo6. I##efutabl*, appellants= ani!us
possidendi e6isted to$ethe# 9ith the possession o# cont#ol of said a#ticles. Recentl*, in People v. Tee, 9e held that
possession of a p#ohibited d#u$ pe# se constitutes p#i!a facie evidence of "no9led$e o# ani!us possidendi sufficient to
convict an accused absent a satisfacto#* e6planation of such possession. In effect, the onus p#obandi !ust be shifted to
the accused to e6plain the absence of "no9led$e o# consciousness of the ele!ent of possession of the cont#aband, i.e.
his ani!us possidendi. ppellants, in this case, have failed to discha#$e this e6culpato#* bu#den.
33. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 IMPOS&8? P?N8TH. M In sentencin$ both appellants to #eclusion pe#petua and in i!posin$ a
fine of P+--,--- upon each of the!, the t#ial cou#t 9as not in e##o# but onl* enfo#cin$ la9 and polic* on p#ohibited and
dan$e#ous d#u$s. Ende# R.. No. /01+ as a!ended b* R.. No. '/+,, the penalt* o# #eclusion pe#petua to death and a
fine #an$in$ f#o! five hund#ed thousand pesos 2P+--,---4 to ten !illion pesos 2P3-,---,---4 shall be i!posed if the
Buantit* of !a#i:uana involved in a conviction fo# possession of !a#i:uana o# Indian he!p is '+- $#a!s o# !o#e. In the
p#esent case, the %he!ist#* Repo#t sub!itted b* fo#ensic che!ist Noe!i uste#o states that the sub:ect p#ohibited d#u$s
9e#e5 L2a4 D#ied suspected Ma#i:uana f#uitin$ tops 9ei$hin$ (,1-- $#a!s contained in a LFin$ @la"esL bo6, and 2b4 D#ied
suspected Ma#i:uana leaves 9ei$hin$ .,-.- $#a!s contained in pin" and 9hite plastic ba$.L The Buantit* of the
confiscated !a#i:uana as p#oved b* the p#osecution 9ei$hs !o#e than 0 "ilos, !uch in e6cess of '+- $#a!s cited, b* the
la9 as baseline fo# the penalt* involved. In the absence of an* a$$#avatin$ o# !iti$atin$ ci#cu!stance, the lo9e# penalt*
of #eclusion pe#petua should be p#ope#l* i!posed, in vie9 of #t. /( of the Revised Penal %ode. I?DHT
D ? % I S I O N
TIN>, ) p5
. . . . It is desi#able that c#i!inals should be detected, and to that end that all available evidence should be used. It also is
desi#able that the $ove#n!ent should not itself foste# and pa* fo# othe# c#i!es, 9hen the* a#e the !eans b* 9hich the
evidence is to be obtained. If it pa*s its office#s fo# havin$ $ot evidence b* c#i!e, I do not see 9h* it !a* not as 9ell pa*
the! fo# $ettin$ it in the sa!e 9a*, and I can attach no i!po#tance to p#otestations of disapp#oval if it "no9in$l* accepts
and pa*s and announces that it 9ill pa* fo# the f#uits. Ae have to choose, and fo# !* pa#t I thin" it a less evil that so!e
c#i!inals should escape than that the $ove#n!ent should pla* an i$noble pa#t. ?HDac
So 9#ote )ustice Olive# Aendell Hol!es in Ol!stead v. E.S. 3 On this occasion, this %ou#t is !ade to choose bet9een
lettin$ suspected c#i!inals escape o# lettin$ the $ove#n!ent pla* an i$noble pa#t.
So!eti!e du#in$ the !onths of )ul* and u$ust 3,,,, the To#il Police Station, Davao %it* #eceived a #epo#t f#o! a
Lcivilian assetL na!ed &obon$ Solie# about a ce#tain Noel Tudtud. 1 Solie# #elated that his nei$hbo#s have been
co!plainin$ about Tudtud, 9ho 9as alle$edl* #esponsible fo# the p#olife#ation of !a#i:uana in thei# a#ea. (
Reactin$ to the #epo#t, PO3 Ronald Desie#to, PO3 Ra!il @lo#eta and thei# supe#io#, SPO3 Villalon$han, 0 all !e!be#s of
the Intelli$ence Section of the To#il Police Station, conducted su#veillance in Solie#=s nei$hbo#hood in Sapa, To#il, Davao
%it*. + @o# five da*s, the* $athe#ed info#!ation and lea#ned that Tudtud 9as involved in ille$al d#u$s. / cco#din$ to his
nei$hbo#s, Tudtud 9as en$a$ed in sellin$ !a#i:uana. '
On u$ust 3, 3,,,, Solie# info#!ed the police that Tudtud had headed to %otabato and 9ould be bac" late# that da* 9ith
ne9 stoc"s of !a#i:uana. . Solie# desc#ibed Tudtud as bi$-bodied and sho#t, and usuall* 9o#e a hat. , t a#ound 05-- in
the afte#noon that sa!e da*, a tea! co!posed of PO3 Desie#to, PO3 @lo#eta and SPO3 Villalon$han posted the!selves
at the co#ne# of Saipon and Mc#thu# Hi$h9a* to a9ait Tudtud=s a##ival. 3- ll 9o#e civilian clothes. 33
bout .5-- late# that evenin$, t9o !en dise!ba#"ed f#o! a bus and helped each othe# ca##* a ca#ton 31 !a#"ed LFin$
@la"es.L 3( Standin$ so!e five feet a9a* f#o! the !en, PO3 Desie#to and PO3 @lo#eta obse#ved that one of the !en fit
Tudtud=s desc#iption. 30 The sa!e !an also toted a plastic ba$. 3+
PO3 @lo#eta and PO3 Desie#to then app#oached the suspects and identified the!selves as police office#s. 3/ PO3
Desie#to info#!ed the! that the police had #eceived info#!ation that stoc"s of ille$al d#u$s 9ould be a##ivin$ that ni$ht.
3' The !an 9ho #ese!bled Tudtud=s desc#iption denied that he 9as ca##*in$ an* d#u$s. 3. PO3 Desie#to as"ed hi! if
he could see the contents of the bo6. 3, Tudtud obli$ed, sa*in$, Lit 9as al#i$ht.L 1- Tudtud opened the bo6 hi!self as his
co!panion loo"ed on. 13
The bo6 *ielded pieces of d#ied fish, beneath 9hich 9e#e t9o bundles, one 9#apped in a st#iped plastic ba$ 11 and
anothe# in ne9spape#s. 1( PO3 Desie#to as"ed Tudtud to un9#ap the pac"a$es. 10 The* contained 9hat see!ed to the
police office#s as !a#i:uana leaves. 1+
The police thus a##ested Tudtud and his co!panion, info#!ed the! of thei# #i$hts and b#ou$ht the! to the police station.
1/ The t9o did not #esist. 1'
The confiscated ite!s 9e#e tu#ned ove# to the Philippine National Police 2PNP4 %#i!e 8abo#ato#* fo# e6a!ination. 1.
@o#ensic tests conducted b* Police %hief Inspecto# Noe!i uste#o, fo#ensic che!ist of the PNP %#i!e 8abo#ato#*,
Re$ion II, on speci!ens ta"en f#o! the confiscated ite!s confi#!ed the police office#s= suspicion. The plastic ba$
contained (,1-- $#a!s of !a#i:uana leaves 9hile the ne9spape#s contained anothe# .,- $#a!s. 1, Police %hief
Inspecto# uste#o #educed he# findin$s in he# #epo#t, Ph*sical Sciences Repo#t No. D-11--,, dated 1 u$ust 3,,,. (-
Noel Tudtud and his co!panion, Dindo &ulon$, 9e#e subseBuentl* cha#$ed (3 befo#e the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t 2RT%4 of
Davao %it* 9ith ille$al possession of p#ohibited d#u$s. (1 Epon a##ai$n!ent, both accused pleaded not $uilt*. (( The
defense, ho9eve#, #ese#ved thei# #i$ht to Buestion the validit* of thei# a##est and the sei;u#e of the evidence a$ainst the!.
(0
T#ial ensued the#eafte#.
The p#osecution p#esented five 9itnesses, na!el*, a##estin$ office#s PO3 Desie#to and PO3 @lo#eta, thei# civilian
info#!ant &obon$ Solie#, fo#ensic che!ist Police %hief Inspecto# Noe!i uste#o, and SPO( Nicolas l$ab#e, e6hibit
custodian of the PNP %#i!e 8abo#ato#*. Said 9itnesses testified to the fo#e$oin$ na##ation of facts. aHDTI
The accused, den*in$ the cha#$es a$ainst the!, c#ied f#a!e-up.
Noel Tudtud #ecalled that on u$ust 3, 3,,, he had $one to Fabacan, No#th %otabato to sell pai#s of 8evi=s pants, 9hich
9as his Lsideline.L (+ t about +5-- in the afte#noon, he #etu#ned to Davao %it* b* bus. (/ Epon #eachin$ To#il, Tudtud,
alon$ 9ith less than ten passen$e#s, $ot do9n the bus. ('
Suddenl*, a !an 9ho identified hi!self as a police office# app#oached hi!, pointin$ a .(. calibe# #evolve#. (. The !an
told hi! not to #un. (, Tudtud #aised his a#!s and as"ed, LSi#, 9hat is this aboutKL 0- The !an ans9e#ed that he 9ould
li"e to inspect the plastic ba$ Tudtud 9as ca##*in$, and inst#ucted Tudtud to open the ba$, 9hich #evealed seve#al pai#s
of 8evi=s pants. 03
The !an then di#ected Tudtud to open a ca#ton bo6 so!e t9o !ete#s a9a*. 01 cco#din$ to Tudtud, the bo6 9as al#ead*
the#e 9hen he dise!ba#"ed the bus. 0( Tudtud told the !an the bo6 9as not his, but p#oceeded to open it out of fea#
afte# the !an a$ain pointed his #evolve# at hi!. 00 Tudtud discove#ed pieces of d#ied fish, unde#neath 9hich 9as
so!ethin$ 9#apped in cellophane. 0+
LAhat is thatKL the !an as"ed. 0/ Tudtud #eplied that he did not "no9. 0' Aithout even un9#appin$ the cellophane, the
!an said it 9as !a#i:uana and ab#uptl* handcuffed Tudtud. 0.
Si!ultaneousl*, anothe# !an 9as pointin$ a fi#ea#! at Dindo &olon$ at the othe# side of the st#eet, so!e ei$ht !ete#s
f#o! Tudtud. 0,
&olon$ #ecounted that he 9as on his 9a* to a #elative in Daliao afte# attendin$ a cousin=s 9eddin$ in Ha$ono*, Davao del
Su# 9hen he 9as accosted. +- fte# ali$htin$ the bus, &olon$ c#ossed the st#eet. +3 So!eone then app#oached hi! and
pointed a $un at hi!. +1 The !an o#de#ed hi! not to !ove and handcuffed hi!. +( &olon$ as"ed 9h* he 9as bein$
a##ested but the !an :ust told hi! to $o 9ith the!. +0
The suspects 9e#e then ta"en to the police station 9he#e, the* 9ould late# clai!, the* !et each othe# fo# the fi#st ti!e.
++
ssailin$ the c#edibilit* of info#!ant &obon$ Solie#, the defense offe#ed the testi!onies of @elicia )ulaton, +/ &#anch (
%le#" of %ou#t, %laudio &ohevia, +' &#anch ' %le#" of %ou#t, and Me#cedita bunda, +. &#anch , Etilit* %le#", all of the
Davao %it* Municipal T#ial %i#cuit %ou#t. The* testified and p#esented cou#t docu!ents sho9in$ that one L&oboL o#
L&obon$L Ra!i#e; 9as cha#$ed in thei# #espective b#anches 9ith va#ious c#i!es, specificall*, li$ht th#eats, less se#ious
ph*sical in:u#ies and #obbe#*. The defense asse#ted that the L&oboL o# L&obon$L Ra!i#e; accused in these cases is the
sa!e pe#son as the info#!ant &obon$ Solie#. +,
S9a*ed b* the p#osecution=s evidence be*ond #easonable doubt, the RT% #ende#ed :ud$!ent convictin$ both accused
as cha#$ed and sentencin$ the! to suffe# the penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua and to pa* a fine of P+--,---.--. /-
On appeal, Noel Tudtud and Dindo &olon$ assi$n, a!on$ othe# e##o#s, the ad!ission in evidence of the !a#i:uana
leaves, 9hich the* clai! 9e#e sei;ed in violation of thei# #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es.
The #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es is secu#ed b* Section 1, #ticle III of the %onstitution, 9hich
states5
S?%. 1. The #i$ht of the people to be secu#ed in thei# pe#sons, houses, pape#s, and effects a$ainst un#easonable
sea#ches and sei;u#es of 9hateve# natu#e and fo# an* pu#pose shall be inviolable, and no sea#ch 9a##ant o# 9a##ant of
a##est shall issue e6cept upon p#obable cause to be dete#!ined pe#sonall* b* the :ud$e afte# e6a!ination unde# oath o#
affi#!ation of the co!plainant and the 9itnesses he !a* p#oduce, and pa#ticula#l* desc#ibin$ the places to be sea#ched
and the pe#sons o# thin$s to be sei;ed.
The #ule is that a sea#ch and sei;u#e !ust be ca##ied out th#ou$h o# 9ith a :udicial 9a##ant7 othe#9ise, such sea#ch and
sei;u#e beco!es Lun#easonableL 9ithin the !eanin$ of the above-Buoted constitutional p#ovision, and an* evidence
secu#ed the#eb*, 9ill be inad!issible in evidence Lfo# an* pu#pose in an* p#oceedin$.L /3 Section ( 214, #ticle III of the
%onstitution e6plicitl* p#ovides5
214 n* evidence obtained in violation of . . . the p#ecedin$ section shall be inad!issible fo# an* pu#pose in an*
p#oceedin$.
The p#osc#iption in Section 1, #ticle III, ho9eve#, cove#s onl* Lun#easonableL sea#ches and sei;u#es. The follo9in$
instances a#e not dee!ed Lun#easonableL even in the absence of a 9a##ant5
3. Aa##antless sea#ch incidental to a la9ful a##est. 2Sec. 31, Rule 31/ of the Rules of %ou#t and p#evailin$
:u#isp#udence47
1. Sea#ch of evidence in Lplain vie9.L The ele!ents a#e5 2a4 a p#io# valid int#usion based on the valid 9a##antless
a##est in 9hich the police a#e le$all* p#esent in the pu#suit of thei# official duties7 2b4 the evidence 9as inadve#tentl*
discove#ed b* the police 9ho have the #i$ht to be 9he#e the* a#e7 2c4 the evidence !ust be i!!ediatel* appa#ent7 2d4
Lplain vie9L :ustified !e#e sei;u#e of evidence 9ithout fu#the# sea#ch7
(. Sea#ch of a !ovin$ vehicle. Hi$hl* #e$ulated b* the $ove#n!ent, the vehicle=s inhe#ent !obilit* #educes
e6pectation of p#ivac* especiall* 9hen its t#ansit in public tho#ou$hfa#es fu#nishes a hi$hl* #easonable suspicion
a!ountin$ to p#obable cause that the occupant co!!itted a c#i!inal activit*7
0. %onsented 9a##antless sea#ch7
+. %usto!s sea#ch7
/. Stop and @#is"7 and
'. ?6i$ent and e!e#$enc* ci#cu!stances. /1
The RT% :ustified the 9a##antless sea#ch of appellants= belon$in$s unde# the fi#st e6ception, as a sea#ch incident to a
la9ful a##est. It cited as autho#ities this %ou#t=s #ulin$s in People v. %laudio, /( People v. Tan$liben, /0 People v. Montilla,
/+ and People v. Valde;. // The Office of the Solicito# >ene#al 2OS>4, in a#$uin$ fo# the affi#!ance of the appealed
decision, invo"es the cases of People v. Maspil, )#., /' People v. Mal!stedt, /. and People v. &a$ista. /,
sea#ch incidental to a la9ful a##est is sanctioned b* the Rules of %ou#t. P#io# to its #evision in 1---, Section 31, '- Rule
31/ of said Rules #ead as follo9s5
S?%. 31. Sea#ch incident to la9ful a##est. M pe#son la9full* a##ested !a* be sea#ched fo# dan$e#ous 9eapons o#
an*thin$ 9hich !a* be used as p#oof of the co!!ission of an offense, 9ithout a sea#ch 9a##ant.
Section + 2a4, Rule 33( of the Rules, in tu#n, allo9s 9a##antless a##ests5
S?%. +. ##est 9ithout 9a##ant7 9hen la9ful. M peace office# o# a pe#son !a*, 9ithout a 9a##ant, a##est a pe#son5
2a4 Ahen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to
co!!it an offense7
666 666 666
It is si$nificant to note that the sea#ch in Buestion p#eceded the a##est. Recent :u#isp#udence holds that the a##est !ust
p#ecede the sea#ch7 the p#ocess cannot be #eve#sed. '3 Neve#theless, a sea#ch substantiall* conte!po#aneous 9ith an
a##est can p#ecede the a##est if the police have p#obable cause to !a"e the a##est at the outset of the sea#ch. '1 The
Buestion, the#efo#e, is 9hethe# the police in this case had p#obable cause to a##est appellants. P#obable cause has been
defined as5
an actual belief o# #easonable $#ounds of suspicion. The $#ounds of suspicion a#e #easonable 9hen, in the absence of
actual belief of the a##estin$ office#s, the suspicion that the pe#son to be a##ested is p#obabl* $uilt* of co!!ittin$ the
offense, is based on actual facts, i.e., suppo#ted b* ci#cu!stances sufficientl* st#on$ in the!selves to c#eate the
p#obable cause of $uilt of the pe#son to be a##ested. #easonable suspicion the#efo#e !ust be founded on p#obable
cause, coupled 9ith $ood faith of the peace office#s !a"in$ the a##est. '(
The lon$-standin$ #ule in this :u#isdiction, applied 9ith a $#eat de$#ee of consistenc*, is that L#eliable info#!ationL alone is
not sufficient to :ustif* a 9a##antless a##est unde# Section + 2a4, Rule 33(. The #ule #eBui#es, in addition, that the accused
pe#fo#! so!e ove#t act that 9ould indicate that he Lhas co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it an
offense.L
In the leadin$ case of People v. &u#$os, '0 this %ou#t held that Lthe office# a##estin$ a pe#son 9ho has :ust co!!itted, is
co!!ittin$, o# is about to co!!it an offense !ust have pe#sonal "no9led$e of that fact. The offense !ust also be
co!!itted in his p#esence o# 9ithin his vie9.L '+ In &u#$os, the autho#ities obtained info#!ation that the accused had
fo#cibl* #ec#uited one %esa# Masa!lo" as !e!be# of the Ne9 People=s #!*, th#eatenin$ the latte# 9ith a fi#ea#!. Epon
findin$ the accused, the a##estin$ tea! sea#ched his house and discove#ed a $un as 9ell as pu#po#tedl* subve#sive
docu!ents. This %ou#t, in decla#in$ then Section / 2a4, Rule 33( of the Rules of %ou#t inapplicable, #uled that5
The#e is no such pe#sonal "no9led$e in this case. Ahateve# "no9led$e 9as possessed b* the a##estin$ office#s, it ca!e
in its enti#et* f#o! the info#!ation fu#nished b* %esa# Masa!lo". The location of the fi#ea#! 9as $iven b* the appellant=s
9ife.
t the ti!e of the appellant=s a##est, he 9as not in actual possession of an* fi#ea#! o# subve#sive docu!ent. Neithe# 9as
he co!!ittin$ an* act 9hich could be desc#ibed as subve#sive. He 9as, in fact, plo9in$ his field at the ti!e of the a##est.
The #i$ht of a pe#son to be secu#e a$ainst an* un#easonable sei;u#e of his bod* and an* dep#ivation of his libe#t* is a
!ost basic and funda!ental one. The statute o# #ule 9hich allo9s e6ceptions to the #eBui#e!ent of 9a##ants of a##est is
st#ictl* const#ued. n* e6ception !ust clea#l* fall 9ithin the situations 9hen secu#in$ a 9a##ant 9ould be absu#d o# is
!anifestl* unnecessa#* as p#ovided b* the Rule. Ae cannot libe#all* const#ue the #ule on a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant o#
e6tend its application be*ond the cases specificall* p#ovided b* la9. To do so 9ould inf#in$e upon pe#sonal libe#t* and
set bac" a basic #i$ht so often violated and so dese#vin$ of full p#otection. '/
%onseBuentl*, the ite!s sei;ed 9e#e held inad!issible, havin$ been obtained in violation of the accused=s constitutional
#i$hts a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es. H%T?a
In People v. !innudin, '' this %ou#t li"e9ise held the 9a##antless a##est and subseBuent sea#ch of appellant the#ein
ille$al, $iven the follo9in$ ci#cu!stances5
. . . the accused-appellant 9as not, at the !o!ent of his a##est, co!!ittin$ a c#i!e no# 9as it sho9n that he 9as about
to do so o# that he had :ust done so. Ahat he 9as doin$ 9as descendin$ the $an$plan" of the M<V Ailcon , and the#e
9as no out9a#d indication that he called fo# his a##est. To all appea#ances, he 9as li"e an* of the othe# passen$e#s
innocentl* dise!ba#"in$ f#o! the vessel. It 9as onl* 9hen the fo#!e# pointed to hi! as the ca##ie# of the !a#i:uana that
he suddenl* beca!e suspect and so sub:ect to app#ehension. It 9as the fu#tive fin$e# that t#i$$e#ed his a##est. The
identification b* the info#!e# 9as the p#obable cause as dete#!ined b* the office#s 2and not a :ud$e4 that autho#i;ed
the! to pounce upon !innudin and i!!ediatel* a##est hi!. '.
Thus, not9ithstandin$ tips f#o! confidential info#!ants and #e$a#dless of the fact that the sea#ch *ielded cont#aband, the
!e#e act of loo"in$ f#o! side to side 9hile holdin$ one=s abdo!en, ', o# of standin$ on a co#ne# 9ith one=s e*es !ovin$
ve#* fast, loo"in$ at eve#* pe#son 9ho ca!e nea#, .- does not :ustif* 9a##antless a##est unde# said Section + 2a4. Neithe#
does puttin$ so!ethin$ in one=s poc"et, .3 handin$ ove# one=s ba$$a$e, .1 #idin$ a !oto#c*cle, .( no# does holdin$ a
ba$ on boa#d a t#isi"ad .0 sanction State int#usion. The sa!e #ule applies to c#ossin$ the st#eet pe# se. .+
Pe#sonal "no9led$e 9as also #eBui#ed in the case of People v. Do#ia. ./ Recentl*, in People v. &inad S* %hua, .' this
%ou#t decla#ed invalid the a##est of the accused, 9ho 9as 9al"in$ to9a#ds a hotel clutchin$ a sealed Gest-O :uice bo6.
@o# the e6ception in Section + 2a4, Rule 33( to appl*, this %ou#t #uled, t9o ele!ents !ust concu#5 234 the pe#son to be
a##ested !ust e6ecute an ove#t act indicatin$ he has :ust co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it a
c#i!e7 and 214 such ove#t act is done in the p#esence o# 9ithin the vie9 of the a##estin$ office#. Reliable info#!ation alone
is insufficient.
In the follo9in$ cases, the sea#ch 9as held to be incidental to a la9ful a##est because of LsuspiciousL ci#cu!stances5
People v. Tan$liben .. 2accused 9as Lactin$ suspiciousl*L4, People v. Mal!stedt ., 2a bul$e on the accused=s 9aist4,
and People v. de >u;!an ,- 2li"e9ise a bul$e on the 9aist of the accused, 9ho 9as 9ea#in$ ti$ht-fittin$ clothes4.
The#e is, ho9eve#, anothe# set of :u#isp#udence that dee!s L#eliable info#!ationL sufficient to :ustif* a sea#ch incident to a
9a##antless a##est unde# Section + 2a4, Rule 33(, thus deviatin$ f#o! &u#$os. To this class of cases belon$ People v.
Maspil, )#., ,3 People v. &a$ista, ,1 People v. &alin$an, ,( People v. 8isin$, ,0 People v. Montilla, ,+ People v. Valde;,
,/ and People v. >on;ales. ,' In these cases, the a##estin$ autho#ities 9e#e actin$ on info#!ation #e$a#din$ an offense
but the#e 9e#e no ove#t acts o# suspicious ci#cu!stances that 9ould indicate that the accused has co!!itted, is actuall*
co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it the sa!e. Si$nificantl*, these cases, e6cept the last t9o, co!e unde# so!e othe#
e6ception to the #ule a$ainst 9a##antless sea#ches. Thus, Maspil, )#. involved a chec"point sea#ch, &alin$an 9as a
sea#ch of a !ovin$ vehicle, &a$ista 9as both, and 8isin$ and Montilla 9e#e consented sea#ches.
Neve#theless, the $#eat !a:o#it* of cases confo#!s to the #ule in &u#$os, 9hich, in tu#n, !o#e faithfull* adhe#es to the
lette# of Section +2a4, Rule 33(. Note the ph#ase Lin his p#esenceL the#ein, connotin$ pe#sonal "no9led$e on the pa#t of
the a##estin$ office#. The #i$ht of the accused to be secu#e a$ainst an* un#easonable sea#ches on and sei;u#e of his o9n
bod* and an* dep#ivation of his libe#t* bein$ a !ost basic and funda!ental one, the statute o# #ule that allo9s e6ception
to the #eBui#e!ent of a 9a##ant of a##est is st#ictl* const#ued. Its application cannot be e6tended be*ond the cases
specificall* p#ovided b* la9. ,.
The cases invo"ed b* the RT% and the OS> a#e, the#efo#e, $#avel* !isplaced. In %laudio, ,, the accused, 9ho 9as
seated aboa#d a bus in f#ont of the a##estin$ office#, put he# ba$ behind the latte#, thus a#ousin$ the latte#=s suspicion. In
Tan$liben and Mal!stedt, the accused had also acted suspiciousl*.
s noted ea#lie#, Maspil, )#., &a$ista and Montilla 9e#e :ustified b* othe# e6ceptions to the #ule a$ainst 9a##antless
sea#ches. Montilla, !o#eove#, 9as not 9ithout its c#itics. The#e, !a:o#it* of the %ou#t held5
ppellant insists that the !e#e fact of seein$ a pe#son ca##*in$ a t#avelin$ ba$ and a ca#ton bo6 should not elicit the
sli$htest suspicion of the co!!ission of an* c#i!e since that is no#!al. &ut p#ecisel*, it is in the o#dina#* natu#e of thin$s
that d#u$s bein$ ille$all* t#anspo#ted a#e necessa#il* hidden in containe#s and concealed f#o! vie9. Thus, the office#s
could #easonabl* assu!e, and not !e#el* on a hollo9 suspicion since the info#!ant 9as b* thei# side and had so
info#!ed the!, that the d#u$s 9e#e in appellant=s lu$$a$e. It 9ould obviousl* have been i##esponsible, if no9 do9n#i$ht
absu#d unde# the ci#cu!stances, to #eBui#e the constable to adopt a L9ait and seeL attitude at the #is" of eventuall* losin$
the Bua##*.
He#e, the#e 9e#e sufficient facts antecedent to the sea#ch and sei;u#e that, at the point p#io# to the sea#ch 9e#e al#ead*
constitutive of p#obable cause, and 9hich b* the!selves could p#ope#l* c#eate in the !inds of the office#s a 9ell-
$#ounded and #easonable belief that appellant 9as in the act of violatin$ the la9. The sea#ch *ielded affi#!ance both of
that p#obable cause and the actualit* that appellant 9as then actuall* co!!ittin$ a c#i!e b* ille$all* t#anspo#tin$
p#ohibited d#u$. Aith these attendant facts, it is ineluctable that appellant 9as cau$ht in fla$#ante delicto, hence his
a##est and the sea#ch of his belon$in$s 9ithout the #eBuisite 9a##ant 9e#e both :ustified. 3--
Ahile concu##in$ 9ith the !a:o#it*, M#. )ustice Vitu$ #ese#ved his vote on the discussion on the 9a##antless sea#ch bein$
incidental to a la9ful a##est. M#. )ustice Pan$aniban, :oined b* Mess#s. )ustices Melo and Puno, filed a Sepa#ate
Opinion.
lthou$h li"e9ise concu##in$ in the !a:o#it*=s #ulin$ that appellant consented to the inspection of his ba$$a$e, )ustice
Pan$aniban disa$#eed 9ith the conclusion that the 9a##antless sea#ch 9as incidental to a la9ful a##est. He a#$ued that
:u#isp#udence #eBui#ed pe#sonal "no9led$e on the pa#t of the office#s !a"in$ the in fla$#ante delicto a##est. In Montilla,
the appellant Ldid not e6hibit an* ove#t act o# st#an$e conduct that 9ould #easonabl* a#ouse in thei# !inds suspicion that
he 9as e!ba#"in$ on so!e felonious ente#p#ise.L
8a9 and :u#isp#udence in fact #eBui#e st#icte# $#ounds fo# valid a##ests and sea#ches 9ithout 9a##ant than fo# the
issuance of 9a##ants the#efo#e. In the fo#!e#, the a##estin$ pe#son !ust have actuall* 9itnessed the c#i!e bein$
co!!itted o# atte!pted b* the pe#son sou$ht to be a##ested7 o# he !ust have pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts indicatin$ that
the pe#son to be a##ested pe#pet#ated the c#i!e that had :ust occu##ed. In the latte# case, the :ud$e si!pl* dete#!ines
pe#sonall* f#o! testi!onies of 9itnesses that the#e e6ists #easonable $#ounds to believe that a c#i!e 9as co!!itted b*
the accused.
666 666 666
To sa* that L#eliable tipsL constitute p#obable cause fo# a 9a##antless a##est o# sea#ch is in !* opinion, a dan$e#ous
p#ecedent and places in $#eat :eopa#d* the doct#ines laid do9n in !an* decisions !ade b* this %ou#t, in its effo#t to
;ealousl* $ua#d and p#otect the sac#ed constitutional #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable a##ests, sea#ches and sei;u#es.
?ve#*one 9ould be p#acticall* at the !e#c* of so-called info#!ants, #e!iniscent of the !a"apilis du#in$ the )apanese
occupation. n* one 9ho! the* point out to a police office# as a possible violato# of the la9 could then be sub:ect to
sea#ch and possible a##est. This is placin$ li!itless po9e# upon info#!ants 9ho 9ill no lon$e# be #eBui#ed to affi#! unde#
oath thei# accusations, fo# the* can al9a*s dela* thei# $ivin$ of tips in o#de# to :ustif* 9a##antless a##ests and sea#ches.
?ven la9 enfo#ce#s can use this as an opp#essive tool to conduct sea#ches 9ithout 9a##ants, fo# the* can al9a*s clai!
that the* #eceived #a9 intelli$ence info#!ation onl* on the da* o# afte#noon befo#e. This 9ould clea#l* be a ci#cu!vention
of the le$al #eBuisites fo# validl* effectin$ an a##est o# conductin$ a sea#ch and sei;u#e. Indeed the !a:o#it*=s #ulin$ 9ould
open loopholes that 9ould allo9 un#easonable a##ests, sea#ches and sei;u#es. 3-3
Montilla 9ould sho#tl* find !ention in )ustice Pan$aniban=s concu##in$ opinion in People v. Do#ia, sup#a, 9he#e this %ou#t
#uled5
ccused-ppellant >addao 9as a##ested solel* on the basis of the alle$ed identification !ade b* he# co-accused. PO(
Manlan$it, ho9eve#, decla#ed in his di#ect e6a!ination that appellant Do#ia na!ed his co-accused in #esponse to his
2PO( Manlan$it=s4 Bue#* as to 9he#e the !a#"ed !one* 9as. ppellant Do#ia did not point to appellant >addao as his
associate in the d#u$ business, but as the pe#son 9ith 9ho! he left the !a#"ed bills. This identification does not
necessa#il* lead to the conclusion that appellant >addao conspi#ed 9ith he# co-accused in pushin$ d#u$s. ppellant
Do#ia !a* have left the !one* in he# house, 9ith o# 9ithout an* conspi#ac*. Save fo# accused-appellant Do#ia=s 9o#d,
the Na#co! a$ents had no sho9in$ that the pe#son 9ho affected the 9a##antless a##est had, in his o9n #i$ht, "no9led$e
of facts i!plicatin$ the pe#son a##ested to the pe#pet#ation of a c#i!inal offense, the a##est is le$all* ob:ectionable. 3-1
CItalics in the o#i$inal.D
?6p#essin$ his acco#d 9ith M#. )ustice Puno=s ponencia, )ustice Pan$aniban said that Do#ia L#i$htfull* b#in$s the %ou#t
bac" to 9ell-settled doct#ines on 9a##antless a##ests and sea#ches, 9hich have see!in$l* been !odified th#ou$h an
obite# in People v. Ruben Montilla.L 3-(
Montilla, the#efo#e, has been see!in$l* disc#edited insofa# as it sanctions sea#ches incidental to la9ful a##est unde#
si!ila# ci#cu!stances. t an* #ate, Montilla 9as a consented sea#ch. s 9ill be de!onst#ated late#, the sa!e could not
be said of this case.
That leaves the p#osecution 9ith People v. Valde;, 9hich, ho9eve#, involved an Lon-the-spot info#!ation.L The u#$enc* of
the ci#cu!stances, an ele!ent not p#esent in this case, p#evented the a##estin$ office# the#ein f#o! obtainin$ a 9a##ant.
HST%a
ppellants in this case 9e#e neithe# pe#fo#!in$ an* ove#t act o# actin$ in a suspicious !anne# that 9ould hint that a
c#i!e has been, 9as bein$, o# 9as about to be, co!!itted. If the a##estin$ office#s= testi!onies a#e to be believed,
appellants 9e#e !e#el* helpin$ each othe# ca##* a ca#ton bo6. lthou$h appellant Tudtud did appea# Laf#aid and
pe#spi#in$,L 3-0 LpaleL 3-+ and Lt#e!blin$,L 3-/ this 9as onl* afte#, not befo#e, he 9as as"ed to open the said bo6.
In no sense can the "no9led$e of the he#ein a##estin$ office#s that appellant Tudtud 9as in possession of !a#i:uana be
desc#ibed as Lpe#sonal,L havin$ lea#ned the sa!e onl* f#o! thei# info#!ant Solie#. Solie#, fo# his pa#t, testified that he
obtained his info#!ation onl* f#o! his nei$hbo#s and the f#iends of appellant Tudtud5
J M Ahat 9as *ou# basis in *ou# #epo#t to the police that Tudtud is $oin$ to %otabato and $et stoc"s of !a#i:uanaK
M &ecause of the p#otest of !* nei$hbo#s 9ho 9e#e sa*in$ 9ho 9ill be the pe#son 9hou CsicD 9ould point to hi!
because he had been $ivin$ t#ouble to the nei$hbo#hood because acco#din$ to the! the#e a#e CsicD p#olife#ation of
!a#i:uana in ou# place. That 9as the co!plained CsicD of ou# nei$hbo#s.
J M Insofa# as the accused Tudtud is conce#ned 9hat 9as *ou# basis in #epo#tin$ hi! pa#ticula#l*K
M His f#iends 9e#e the once 9ho told !e about it.
J M @o# ho9 lon$ have *ou "no9 CsicD this fact of alle$ed activit* of Tudtud in p#olife#ation of !a#i:uanaK
M bout a !onth.
666 666 666
J M Re$a#din$ the #epo#t that Tudtud 9ent to %otabato to $et stoc"s of !a#i:uana 9hich led to his app#ehension
so!eti!e in the evenin$ of u$ust 3 and acco#din$ to the #epo#t C9hichD is based on *ou# #epo#t !* Buestion is, ho9 did
*ou "no9 that Tudtud 9ill be b#in$in$ alon$ 9ith hi! !a#i:uana stoc"s on u$ust 3, 3,,,K
666 666 666
M &ecause of the info#!ation of his nei$hbo#. 3-'
In othe# 9o#ds, Solie#=s info#!ation itself is hea#sa*. He did not even elabo#ate on ho9 his nei$hbo#s o# Tudtud=s f#iends
acBui#ed thei# info#!ation that Tudtud 9as #esponsible fo# the p#olife#ation of d#u$s in thei# nei$hbo#hood.
Indeed, it appea#s that PO3 @lo#eta hi!self doubted the #eliabilit* of thei# info#!ant. He testified on c#oss-e6a!ination5
J M Hou !ean to sa* that &obot Solie#, is not #eliableK
M He is t#ust9o#th*.
J M Ah* CdidD *ou not conside# his info#!ation not #eliable if he is #eliableK
M 29itness did not ans9e#4.
TTH. %N?T?5
Neve# !ind, do not ans9e# an*!o#e. That=s all. 3-.
The p#osecution, on #e-di#ect e6a!ination, did not atte!pt to e6t#act an* e6planation f#o! PO3 @lo#eta fo# his tellin$
silence.
%onf#onted 9ith such a dubious info#!ant, the police pe#haps felt it necessa#* to conduct thei# o9n Lsu#veillance.L This
Lsu#veillance,L it tu#ns out, did not actuall* consist of sta"in$ out appellant Tudtud to catch hi! in the act of pl*in$ his
ille$al t#ade, but of a !e#e L$athe#Cin$D of info#!ation f#o! the assets the#e.L 3-, The police office#s 9ho conducted such
Lsu#veillanceL did not identif* 9ho these LassetsL 9e#e o# the basis of the latte#=s info#!ation. %lea#l*, such info#!ation is
also hea#sa*, not of pe#sonal "no9led$e.
Neithe# 9e#e the a##estin$ office#s i!pelled b* an* u#$enc* that 9ould allo9 the! to do a9a* 9ith the #eBuisite 9a##ant,
PO3 Desie#to=s asse#tions of lac" of ti!e 33- not9ithstandin$. Reco#ds sho9 that the police had a!ple oppo#tunit* to
appl* fo# a 9a##ant, havin$ #eceived Solie#=s info#!ation at a#ound ,5-- in the !o#nin$7 Tudtud, ho9eve#, 9as e6pected
to a##ive at a#ound /5-- in the evenin$ of the sa!e da*. 333 In People v. ?ncinada, sup#a, the %ou#t #uled that the#e 9as
sufficient ti!e to p#ocu#e a 9a##ant 9he#e the police office#s #eceived at 05-- in the afte#noon an intelli$ence #epo#t that
the accused, 9ho 9as supposedl* ca##*in$ !a#i:uana, 9ould a##ive the ne6t !o#nin$ at '5-- a.!.5
?ven if the info#!ation 9as #eceived b* &olonia about 05-- p.!. of Ma* 1-, 3,,1 at his house, the#e 9as sufficient ti!e
to secu#e a 9a##ant of a##est, as the M<V S9eet Pea#l 9as not e6pected to doc" until '5-- a.!. the follo9in$ da*.
d!inist#ative %i#cula# No. 3( allo9s application fo# sea#ch 9a##ants even afte# office hou#s5
L(. Rafflin$ shall be st#ictl* enfo#ced, e6cept onl* in case 9he#e an application fo# sea#ch 9a##ant !a* be filed
di#ectl* 9ith an* :ud$e 9hose :u#isdiction the place to be sea#ched is located, afte# office hou#s, o# du#in$ Satu#da*s,
Sunda*s, and le$al holida*s, in 9hich case the applicant is #eBui#ed to ce#tif* unde# oath the u#$enc* of the issuance
the#eof afte# office hou#s, o# du#in$ Satu#da*s, Sunda*s and le$al holida*s7L . . . .
The sa!e p#ocedu#al dispatch finds validation and #eite#ation in %i#cula# No. 3,, se#ies of 3,.', entitled L!ended
>uidelines and P#ocedu#es on pplication fo# sea#ch 9a##ants fo# Ille$al Possession of @i#ea#!s and Othe# Se#ious
%#i!es @iled in Met#o Manila %ou#ts and Othe# %ou#ts 9ith Multiple SalasL5
LThis %ou#t has #eceived #epo#ts of dela* 9hile a9aitin$ #affle, in actin$ on applications fo# sea#ch 9a##ants in the
ca!pai$n a$ainst loose fi#ea#!s and othe# se#ious c#i!es affectin$ peace and o#de#. The#e is a need fo# p#o!pt action
on such applications fo# sea#ch 9a##ant. cco#din$l*, these a!ended $uidelines in the issuance of a sea#ch 9a##ant a#e
issued5
3. ll applications fo# sea#ch 9a##ants #elatin$ to violation of the nti-subve#sion ct, c#i!es a$ainst public o#de#
as defined in the Revised Penal %ode, as a!ended, ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s and<o# a!!unition and violations of
the Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct of 3,'1, as a!ended, shall no lon$e# be #affled and shall i!!ediatel* be ta"en co$ni;ance of
and acted upon b* the ?6ecutive )ud$e of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t, Met#opolitan T#ial %ou#t, and Municipal T#ial %ou#t
unde# 9hose :u#isdiction the place to be sea#ched is located.
1. In the absence of the ?6ecutive )ud$e, the Vice-?6ecutive )ud$e shall ta"e co$ni;ance of and pe#sonall* act
on the sa!e. In the absence of the ?6ecutive :ud$e o# Vice-?6ecutive :ud$e, the application !a* be ta"en co$ni;ance of
and acted upon b* an* :ud$e of the %ou#t 9he#e application is filed.
(. pplications filed afte# office hou#s, du#in$ Satu#da*s, Sunda*s and holida*s, shall li"e9ise be ta"en
co$ni;ance of and acted upon b* an* :ud$e of the %ou#t havin$ :u#isdiction of the place to be sea#ched, but in such
cases the applicant shall ce#tif* and state the facts unde# oath, to the satisfaction of the :ud$e, that its issuance is u#$ent.
0. n* :ud$e actin$ on such application shall i!!ediatel* and 9ithout dela* pe#sonall* conduct the e6a!ination
of the applicant and his 9itnesses to p#event the possible lea"a$e of info#!ation. He shall obse#ve the p#ocedu#es,
safe$ua#ds, and $uidelines fo# the issuance of sea#ch 9a##ants p#ovided fo# in this %ou#t=s d!inist#ative %i#cula# No. 3(,
dated Octobe# 3, 3,.+.L 331 CItalics in the o#i$inal.D
>iven that the police had adeBuate ti!e to obtain the 9a##ant, PO3 @lo#eta=s testi!on* that the #eal #eason fo# thei#
o!ission 9as thei# belief that the* lac"ed sufficient basis to obtain the sa!e assu!es $#eate# si$nificance. This 9as PO3
@lo#eta=s fa!ilia# #ef#ain5
J M Ahen Solie# #epo#ted to *ou that fact, that Tudtud 9ill be co!in$ f#o! %otabato to $et that 2sic4 stoc"s, *ou did
not $o to cou#t to $et a sea#ch 9a##ant on the basis of the #epo#t of &obot Solie#K
M No.
J M Ah*K
M &ecause 9e have no #eal basis to secu#e the sea#ch 9a##ant.
J M Ahen *ou have no #eal basis to secu#e a sea#ch 9a##ant, *ou have also no #eal basis to sea#ch Tudtud and
&ulon$ at that ti!eK
M Hes, si#.
666 666 666
J M nd &obot Solie# told *ou that Tudtud, that he 9ould al#ead* b#in$ !a#i:uanaK
M Hes, Si#.
J M nd this 9as ,5-- a.!.K
M Hes, Si#.
J M The a##ival of Tudtud 9as e6pected at /5-- p.!.K
M Hes, Si#.
J M To#il is :ust 3/ "ilo!ete#s f#o! Davao %it*K
M Hes, Si#.
J M nd the Office of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t is onl* about 3/ "ilo!ete#s, is that co##ectK
M Hes, Si#.
J M nd it can be ne$otiated b* thi#t* !inutes b* a :eep #ideK
M Hes, Si#.
J M nd *ou can as"ed CsicD the assistance of an* p#osecuto# to appl* fo# the sea#ch 9a##ant o# the p#osecuto# do
CsicD not assistK
M The* help.
J M &ut *ou did not co!e to Davao %it*, to as"ed CsicD fo# a sea#ch 9a##antK
M s I said, 9e do not have sufficient basis. 33(
It !a* be conceded that Lthe !e#e sub:ective conclusions of a police office# conce#nin$ the e6istence of p#obable cause
is not bindin$ on Cthe cou#tsD 9hich !ust independentl* sc#utini;e the ob:ective facts to dete#!ine the e6istence of
p#obable causeL and that La cou#t !a* also find p#obable cause in spite of an office#=s :ud$!ent that none e6ists.L 330
Ho9eve#, the fact that the a##estin$ office#s felt that the* did not have sufficient basis to obtain a 9a##ant, despite thei#
o9n info#!ation-$athe#in$ effo#ts, #aises se#ious Buestions 9hethe# such Lsu#veillanceL actuall* *ielded an* pe#tinent
info#!ation and even 9hethe# the* actuall* conducted an* info#!ation-$athe#in$ at all, the#eb* e#odin$ an* clai! to
pe#sonal "no9led$e. ?%aScD
@inall*, the#e is an effective 9aive# of #i$hts a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es if the follo9in$ #eBuisites a#e
p#esent5
3. It !ust appea# that the #i$hts e6ist7
1. The pe#son involved had "no9led$e, actual o# const#uctive, of the e6istence of such #i$ht7
(. Said pe#son had an actual intention to #elinBuish the #i$ht. 33+
He#e, the p#osecution failed to establish the second and thi#d #eBuisites. Reco#ds disclose that 9hen the police office#s
int#oduced the!selves as such and #eBuested appellant that the* see the contents of the ca#ton bo6 supposedl*
containin$ the !a#i:uana, appellant Tudtud said Lit 9as al#i$ht.L He did not #esist and opened the bo6 hi!self.
The funda!ental la9 and :u#isp#udence #eBui#e !o#e than the p#esence of these ci#cu!stances to constitute a valid
9aive# of the constitutional #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es. %ou#ts indul$e eve#* #easonable
p#esu!ption a$ainst 9aive# of funda!ental constitutional #i$hts7 acBuiescence in the loss of funda!ental #i$hts is not to
be p#esu!ed. 33/ The fact that a pe#son failed to ob:ect to a sea#ch does not a!ount to pe#!ission the#eto.
. . . . s the constitutional $ua#ant* is not dependent upon an* affi#!ative act of the citi;en, the cou#ts do not place the
citi;en in the position of eithe# contestin$ an office#=s autho#it* b* fo#ce, o# 9aivin$ his constitutional #i$hts7 but instead
the* hold that a peaceful sub!ission to all sea#ch o# sei;u#e is not a consent o# an invitation the#eto, but is !e#el* a
de!onst#ation of #e$a#d fo# the sup#e!ac* of the la9. 33' C?!phasis supplied.D
Thus, even in cases 9he#e the accused volunta#il* handed he# ba$ 33. o# the chai#s 33, containin$ !a#i:uana to the
a##estin$ office#, this %ou#t held the#e 9as no valid consent to the sea#ch.
On the othe# hand, because a 9a##antless sea#ch is in de#o$ation of a constitutional #i$ht, peace office#s 9ho conduct it
cannot invo"e #e$ula#it* in the pe#fo#!ance of official functions and shift to the accused the bu#den of p#ovin$ that the
sea#ch 9as unconsented. 31-
In an* case, an* p#esu!ption in favo# of #e$ula#it* 9ould be seve#el* di!inished b* the alle$ation of appellants in this
case that the a##estin$ office#s pointed a $un at the! befo#e as"in$ the! to open the sub:ect bo6. ppellant Tudtud
testified as follo9s5
J M This pe#son 9ho app#oached *ou acco#din$ to *ou pointed so!ethin$ at *ouC.D CAhatD 9as that so!ethin$K
M (. cal. Revolve#.
J M Ho9 did he point it at *ouK
M 8i"e this 2Aitness de!onst#atin$ as if pointin$ 9ith his t9o a#!s holdin$ so!ethin$ to9a#ds so!ebod*4.
J M This !anC,D 9hat did he tell *ou 9hen he pointed a $un at *ouK
M He said do not #un.
J M Ahat did *ou doK
M I #aised !* hands and said LSi#, 9hat is this aboutKL
J M Ah* did *ou call hi! Si#K
M I 9as af#aid because 9hen so!ebod* is holdin$ a $un, I a! af#aid.
J M P#ecisel*, 9h* did *ou add#ess hi! as Si#K
M &ecause he 9as holdin$ a $un and I believed that so!ebod* 9ho is ca##*in$ a $un is a police!an.
J M Ahen *ou as"ed hi! 9hat is thisK Ahat did he sa*K
M He said LI 9ould li"e to inspect 9hat *ou a#e ca##*in$. CLD
666 666 666
J M Ahat did *ou sa* 9hen *ou 9e#e as"ed to open that ca#ton bo6K
M I told hi! that is not !ine.
J M Ahat did this !an sa*K
M He a$ain pointed to !e his #evolve# and a$ain said to open.
J M Ahat did *ou doK
M So I p#oceeded to open fo# fea# of bein$ shot. 313
ppellants= i!plied acBuiescence, if at all, could not have been !o#e than !e#e passive confo#!it* $iven unde# coe#cive
o# inti!idatin$ ci#cu!stances and is, thus, conside#ed no consent at all 9ithin the pu#vie9 of the constitutional $ua#antee.
311 %onseBuentl*, appellants= lac" of ob:ection to the sea#ch and sei;u#e is not tanta!ount to a 9aive# of his
constitutional #i$ht o# a volunta#* sub!ission to the 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e. 31(
s the sea#ch of appellants= bo6 does not co!e unde# the #eco$ni;ed e6ceptions to a valid 9a##antless sea#ch, the
!a#i:uana leaves obtained the#eb* a#e inad!issible in evidence. nd as the#e is no evidence othe# than the hea#sa*
testi!on* of the a##estin$ office#s and thei# info#!ant, the conviction of appellants cannot be sustained.
The &ill of Ri$hts is the bed#oc" of constitutional $ove#n!ent. If people a#e st#ipped na"ed of thei# #i$hts as hu!an
bein$s, de!oc#ac* cannot su#vive and $ove#n!ent beco!es !eanin$less. This e6plains 9h* the &ill of Ri$hts,
contained as it is in #ticle III of the %onstitution, occupies a position of p#i!ac* in the funda!ental la9 9a* above the
a#ticles on $ove#n!ental po9e#. 310
The #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e in tu#n is at the top of the hie#a#ch* of #i$hts, 31+ ne6t onl* to, if not
on the sa!e plane as, the #i$ht to life, libe#t* and p#ope#t*, 9hich is p#otected b* the due p#ocess clause. 31/ This is as it
should be fo#, as st#essed b* a couple of noted f#eedo! advocates, 31' the #i$ht to pe#sonal secu#it* 9hich, alon$ 9ith
the #i$ht to p#ivac*, is the foundation of the #i$ht a$ainst un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e Lincludes the #i$ht to e6ist, and
the #i$ht to en:o*!ent of life 9hile e6istin$.L ?!phasi;in$ such #i$ht, this %ou#t decla#ed in People v. #uta5
En#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es a#e the !enace a$ainst 9hich the constitutional $ua#antees affo#d full p#otection.
Ahile the po9e# to sea#ch and sei;e !a* at ti!es be necessa#* to the public 9elfa#e, still it !a* be e6e#cised and the
la9 enfo#ced 9ithout t#ans$#essin$ the constitutional #i$hts of the citi;ens, fo# the enfo#ce!ent of no statute is of
sufficient i!po#tance to :ustif* indiffe#ence to the basic p#inciples of $ove#n!ent.
Those 9ho a#e supposed to enfo#ce the la9 a#e not :ustified in dis#e$a#din$ the #i$hts of the individual in the na!e of
o#de#. O#de# is too hi$h a p#ice to pa* fo# the loss of libe#t*. s )ustice Hol!es decla#ed5 LI thin" it is less evil that so!e
c#i!inals escape than that the $ove#n!ent should pla* an i$noble pa#t.L It is si!pl* not allo9ed in f#ee societ* to violate
a la9 to enfo#ce anothe#, especiall* if the la9 violated is the %onstitution itself. 31.
Thus, $iven a choice bet9een lettin$ suspected c#i!inals escape o# lettin$ the $ove#n!ent pla* an i$noble pa#t, the
ans9e#, to this %ou#t, is clea# and ineluctable.
AH?R?@OR?, the Decision of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Davao %it* is R?V?RS?D. ppellants Noel Tudtud * Pa*pa
and Dindo &olon$ * Na#et a#e he#eb* %JEITT?D fo# insufficienc* of evidence. The Di#ecto# of the &u#eau of P#isons is
o#de#ed to cause the i!!ediate #elease of appellants f#o! confine!ent, unless the* a#e bein$ held fo# so!e othe# la9ful
cause, and to #epo#t to this %ou#t co!pliance he#e9ith 9ithin five 2+4 da*s f#o! #eceipt he#eof. c?aTHD
SO ORD?R?D.
&ellosillo, ust#ia-Ma#tine; and %alle:o, S#., )) ., concu#.
Sepa#ate Opinions
JEISEM&IN>, )., dissentin$5
I #espectfull* diffe# f#o! the !a:o#it* of !* b#eth#en on this case. I vote to sustain the decision 3 dated Ma#ch ., 1---,
the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Davao %it*, &#anch 3', 9hich convicted in %#i!inal %ase No. 0(,.3'-,, appellants Noel
Tudtud * Pa*pa and Dindo &olon$ 1 * Na#et, and i!posed upon each of the! the penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua and a
fine of P+--,---, fo# ille$al possession of p#ohibited d#u$s.
@o# e!phasis, I Buote he#eunde# the info#!ation a$ainst the appellants filed b* the p#osecution5
That on o# about u$ust 3, 3,,,, in the %it* of Davao, Philippines, and 9ithin the :u#isdiction of this Hono#able %ou#t, the
above-!entioned accused, conspi#in$, confede#atin$ to$ethe# and helpin$ one anothe#, 9ilfull*, unla9full* and
feloniousl* and 9ith intent to possess and 9ithout bein$ autho#i;ed b* la9 had in thei# possession t9o 214 pac"a$es of
Ma#i:uana leaves and ste!s 9ith leaves, 9ei$hin$ .,- $#a!s and (.1 "$s. !o#e o# less, #espectivel*, 9hich a#e
p#ohibited d#u$s.
%ONTRRH TO 8A. (
The#e is no doubt in !* !ind that appellants a#e $uilt* of the ille$al possession of p#ohibited d#u$s found b* the police
inside thei# ca#ton bo6. The facts and the la9 suppo#t the findin$s of the t#ial cou#t, leadin$ to the conviction of as 9ell the
penalt* i!posed upon appellants.
llo9 !e to #estate the facts and !* #easons fo# this dissent.
So!eti!e in the !onths of )ul* and u$ust 3,,,, PO3 Ronald Desie#to assi$ned at Police P#ecinct ., To#il, Davao %it*,
#eceived a tip f#o! thei# Lcivilian asset,L &obon$ Solie#, that appellant Noel Tudtud 9as involved in the p#ohibited d#u$
t#ade. cco#din$ to Solie#, Tudtud $ot his stoc"s of !a#i:uana f#o! %otabato. The info#!ation 9as ente#ed in the police
blotte#, 0 afte# 9hich PO3 Desie#to and othe# !e!be#s of the Intelli$ence Section of To#il P#ecinct . conducted
su#veillance on Tudtud fo# five 2+4 da*s. + >athe#in$ info#!ation f#o! othe# sec#et info#!ants in the vicinit* and f#o!
Tudtud=s nei$hbo#s, Solie#=s tip to the police 9as validated. /
In the !o#nin$ of u$ust 3, 3,,,, &obon$ Solie# info#!ed P#ecinct . office#s that appellant Tudtud 9ent on anothe# t#ip to
%otabato and 9as e6pected to a##ive in the afte#noon of the sa!e da* 9ith a load of !a#i:uana. ' tea! 9as
i!!ediatel* fo#!ed, 9hich included PO3 Ronald Desie#to, SPO3 Villanueva . and PO3 Ra!il @lo#eta. The* posted
the!selves at the co#ne# of Sa*pon, Mac#thu# Hi$h9a*, To#il, Davao %it*. , The* 9aited f#o! 05-- p.!. until .5-- p.!.,
9hen a Aeena bus stopped and appellants dise!ba#"ed. 3- Tudtud ali$hted holdin$ a plastic ba$ 9ith his #i$ht hand
9hile his left hand 9as holdin$ a ca#ton bo6 9ith the !a#"in$s LFin$ @la"es.L ppellant &olon$ helped Tudtud ca##* the
ca#ton bo6 9ith his #i$ht hand. 33
PO3 Desie#to and @lo#eta app#oached appellants and identified the!selves as police office#s. 31 @o# secu#it* pu#poses,
SPO3 Villanueva stood ten 23-4 !ete#s a9a* f#o! the!. 3( PO3 Desie#to and @lo#eta told appellants that the* #eceived
info#!ation of the a##ival of ille$al d#u$s. The* #eBuested appellants if the* could be allo9ed to see the contents of the
ca#ton bo6. ppellant Tudtud said Lo"a*L and opened the ca#ton bo6 hi!self. 30 PO3 Desie#to and @lo#eta sa9 d#ied
sliced fish on top of the ca#ton bo6. PO3 Desie#to #eBuested Tudtud to ta"e the d#ied sliced fish out of the ca#ton bo6. 3+
Inside the bo6, so!ethin$ 9as 9#apped in a st#iped plastic ba$, 9hile anothe# bundle 9as 9#apped in a ne9spape#. PO3
Desie#to a$ain #eBuested Tudtud to open the st#iped plastic ba$ and the bundle 9#apped in ne9spape#. Ahen appellant
Tudtud opened the st#iped plastic ba$, PO3 Desie#to and @lo#eta sa9 leaves, 9hich appea#ed to be !a#i:uana. 3/
8i"e9ise, the contents of the bundle 9#apped 9ith ne9spape# #evealed 9hat appea#ed to be !a#i:uana stal"s 9ith
leaves. 3'
ppellants, 9ho did not #esist a##est, 9e#e fo#th9ith info#!ed of thei# #i$ht to counsel and to #e!ain silent. The* 9e#e
b#ou$ht to the police station 9he#e the fo#e$oin$ incident 9as #eco#ded in the police blotte#. 3.
The sei;ed pac"a$es of suspected !a#i:uana, 9ei$hin$ .1- $#a!s and (.1 "ilo$#a!s, 9e#e #efe##ed to the PNP %#i!e
8abo#ato#*, Re$ion II, Davao %it*, fo# e6a!ination. The fo#ensic #esult #evealed that the d#ied leaves 9e#e indeed
!a#i:uana. 3,
@o# his defense, appellant NO?8 TEDTED testified that in the !o#nin$ of u$ust 3, 3,,,, he left fo# Fabacan, No#th
%otabato to sell ten pieces of 8evis 1- !aon$ pants to students at the Enive#sit* of Southe#n Mindanao. 13 He left fo#
Davao %it* in the afte#noon, ta"in$ the Aeena bus c#ossin$ &a*abas and a##ived at To#il at about .5(- p.!., 9he#e he
ali$hted befo#e $oin$ to his #esidence at Sapa, %#ossin$ &a*abas, To#il, Davao %it*. fte# the bus left, so!ebod* 9ho!
he late# identified as PO3 Desie#to ai!ed a $un at hi! and o#de#ed hi! to open a bo6, 9hich *ielded !a#i:uana leaves.
He denied ca##*in$ said ca#ton bo6 o# "no9in$ its contents but despite his pleas he 9as handcuffed and b#ou$ht to the
To#il Police Station alon$ 9ith so!ebod* 9ho! he had neve# !et befo#e, he#ein co-appellant Dindo &olon$.
In his o9n testi!on*, co-appellant DINDO &O8ON> li"e9ise denied "no9in$ Noel Tudtud. He too, disclai!ed an*
"no9led$e of a ca#ton bo6 containin$ the sub:ect !a#i:uana. He denied havin$ ca##ied said ca#ton bo6 to$ethe# 9ith his
co-appellant. He na##ated that on u$ust 3, 3,,,, he 9ent to Ha$ono*, Davao del Su#, to do an e##and fo# his cousin 9ho
9as about to $et !a##ied. In the afte#noon of that da*, he boa#ded a Aeena bus $oin$ bac" to %alinan, Davao %it*, but
decided to d#op b* at To#il, Davao %it*, to !eet a #elative. Ahen he ali$hted at the c#ossin$ of &a*abas and To#il in
Davao %it*, at about .5(- p.!., he and anothe# !an, he#ein appellant Tudtud, 9e#e app#ehended b* a !an 9ho
handcuffed the!. The* 9e#e at once b#ou$ht to$ethe# to the To#il Police Station.
In its decision dated Ma#ch ., 1---, the t#ial cou#t disbelieved the ve#sion of the defense and $ave c#edence to the
testi!on* of the app#ehendin$ office#s, as co##obo#ated b* the Philippine National Police fo#ensic che!ist. The t#ial cou#t
found appellants $uilt*, as follo9s5
AH?R?@OR?, findin$ the evidence of p#osecution !o#e than sufficient to p#ove the $uilt of both accused of the offense
cha#$ed be*ond #easonable doubt, pu#suant to the p#ovision of Sec. ., #t. 33 of the Republic ct /+'+, as a!ended b*
Republic ct '/+,, Sec. 1- #t. 0, 9ithout an* a$$#avatin$ no# !iti$atin$ ci#cu!stances attendant in the co!!ission of
the offense cha#$ed, both above-na!ed accused, Noel Tudtud * Pa*pa and Dindo &olon$ * Na#et, a#e sentenced to
suffe# an i!p#ison!ent of #eclusion pe#petua, to$ethe# 9ith all accesso#* penalt* as p#ovided fo# b* la9 and to pa* a fine
of P+--,---.-- in favo# of the $ove#n!ent.
The confiscated sub:ect !a#i:uana d#ied leaves, placed in a ca#ton bo6 9ith na!e LFin$ @la"esL !a#"ed ?6h. LL and L&L
fo# the p#osecution, a#e o#de#ed confiscated in favo# of the $ove#n!ent, and a#e tu#n-ove# 2sic4 to the Office of the
Na#cotics %o!!and, Davao %it*, fo# its i!!ediate dest#uction th#ou$h bu#nin$, as the ci#cu!stances, 9ill 9a##ant.
SO ORD?R?D. 11
Hence, the p#esent appeal befo#e us. ppellant Noel Tudtud assi$ned in his &#ief seve#al e##o#s. 1(
On )ul* 3,, 1--3, appellant Dindo &olon$ filed a !anifestation, adoptin$ appellant Tudtud=s b#ief as his o9n. 10
In ou# vie9, the #esolution of this appeal hin$es on the follo9in$ issues5 234 9hethe# the 9a##antless a##est, sea#ch and
sei;u#e effected b* the police office#s a#e unla9ful7 214 9hethe# the p#osecution=s evidence suffices to sustain a findin$ of
$uilt 9ith !o#al ce#taint*7 and 2(4 9hethe# the penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua and the fine of P+--,--- i!posed on each
appellant a#e p#ope#.
On the fi#st issue, appellants contend that the 9a##antless a##est of appellants and the sea#ch and sei;u#e of the
!a#i:uana leaves 9e#e i##e$ula#, hence unla9ful. The* clai! that the !a#i:uana alle$edl* sei;ed f#o! the! 9as a p#oduct
of an ille$al sea#ch, hence, inad!issible in evidence. %HcTI
The Office of the Solicito# >ene#al 2OS>4, ho9eve#, a#$ues that the findin$s and conclusions of the t#ial cou#t should be
sustained. cco#din$ to the OS>, the la9 pe#!its the 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e of the !a#i:uana as an incident to a
la9ful a##est. I a! sBua#el* in a$#ee!ent 9ith the OS>=s sub!ission.
The validit* of the 9a##antless a##est and the sea#ch !ade b* the police upon the pe#sons of appellants, as 9ell as the
sei;u#e of the !a#i:uana leaves, as he#ein p#esented, is no lon$e# a !atte# of fi#st i!p#ession. )u#isp#udence is #eplete
9ith cases on this sco#e.
Section 1, #ticle III of the %onstitution, o#dains that a sea#ch and sei;u#e !ust be ca##ied out th#ou$h o# on the st#en$th
of a :udicial 9a##ant, absent 9hich such sea#ch and sei;u#e beco!es Lun#easonableL 1+ and that evidence secu#ed on
the occasion of such an un#easonable sea#ch and sei;u#e shall be inad!issible in evidence fo# an* pu#pose in an*
p#oceedin$. 1/ &ut this e6clusiona#* #ule is not, ho9eve#, an absolute and #i$id p#osc#iption. Section +2a4, Rule 33( of the
Rules of %ou#t 1' p#ovides one such e6ception 9he#e a peace office# o# a p#ivate pe#son !a*, 9ithout a 9a##ant, a##est a
pe#son 9hen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to
co!!it an offense. In the case at hand, appellants, 9e#e cau$ht in fla$#ante delicto, since the* 9e#e ca##*in$ !a#i:uana
at the ti!e of thei# a##est. 9a##antless a##est, unde# this ci#cu!stance, is le$iti!ate. It also necessa#il* cloa"s the
a##estin$ police office# 9ith autho#it* to sea#ch and sei;e f#o! the offende# cont#aband o# p#ohibited !ate#ial and
9hateve# !a* be used as p#oof of the offense bein$ co!!itted.
Ho9eve#, the instances of pe#!issible a##ests set out in Section +2a4 of Rule 33(, do not dispense 9ith the #eBuisite
p#obable cause befo#e a 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e can be la9full* conducted. In these cases, p#obable cause !ust
onl* be based on #easonable $#ound of suspicion o# belief that a c#i!e has been co!!itted o# is about to be co!!itted.
1. The #eBui#ed p#obable cause that 9ill :ustif* a 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e is not dete#!ined b* a fi6ed fo#!ula but
is #esolved acco#din$ to the facts of each case.
In this case, I note that the a##estin$ office#s pe#sonall* ve#ified the info#!ation tipped to the! b* thei# civilian info#!ant
conce#nin$ appellant Tudtud=s d#u$ t#affic"in$ activities. fte# #eceivin$ this info#!ation f#o! Solie#, PO3 Desie#to and
othe# !e!be#s of the Intelli$ence Section of To#il P#ecinct, conducted su#veillance ope#ations on appellants fo# five 2+4
da*s and confi#!ed the tip. 1, Havin$ ve#ified Solie#=s data, the police office#s had pe#sonal "no9led$e of the p#obable
cause to believe the subseBuent tip-off in the !o#nin$ of u$ust 3, 3,,, that on that da*, Tudtud 9as on anothe# t#ip to
%otabato to #eplenish his stoc"s of !a#i:uana and 9as e6pected to a##ive in the afte#noon of the sa!e da*. (- @u#the#,
the info#!ant desc#ibed in detail the pe#sonal ci#cu!stances of appellant Tudtud, i.e. that he 9as sho#t, bu#l*, and usuall*
9o#e a baseball cap. PO3 Desie#to and his tea! al#ead* had leases as to the identit* of the pe#son the* 9e#e loo"in$ fo#.
(3 It 9as indubitable, the#efo#e, that the police tea! of PO3 Desie#to had p#obable cause to sea#ch appellant Tudtud=s
belon$in$s since he fitted the desc#iption $iven b* the civilian asset. (1
The 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e is fu#the# :ustified b* lac" of !ate#ial ti!e to appl* fo# a sea#ch 9a##ant. @aced 9ith
such on-the-spot info#!ation that Tudtud 9ould a##ive that sa!e da* 9ith the p#ohibited d#u$s, the la9 enfo#ce#s had to
#espond Buic"l*. s often said, it is necessa#* to adopt a #ealistic app#eciation of the ph*sical and tactical p#oble!s of the
police, instead of c#iticall* vie9in$ the! f#o! the placid and clinical envi#on!ent of :udicial cha!be#s, (( if cou#ts of
:ustice 9ish to be of unde#standin$ assistance to la9 enfo#ce!ent a$encies in the fi$ht a$ainst c#i!e.
Mo#eove#, appellants consented to the sea#ch in this case. This, to !e, is established not !e#el* f#o! the 9o#ds but the
actions ta"en he#eon. Ahen the office#s app#oached appellants, the* fo#!all* int#oduced the!selves as police!en. The*
inBui#ed f#o! appellants about the contents of thei# lu$$a$e, and #eBuested appellant Tudtud to open the bo6. lthou$h
t#e!blin$ appellant Tudtud a$#eed to the #eBuest. (0 Neithe# did appellant &olon$ #esist the sea#ch. In People v. %ui;on,
(+ 9e held that ille$al d#u$s discove#ed as a #esult of consented sea#ch is ad!issible in evidence. nd, in People v.
Montilla, (/ 9hen an individual volunta#il* sub!its to a sea#ch o# consents to have the sa!e conducted upon his pe#son
o# p#e!ises, he is p#ecluded f#o! late# co!plainin$ the#eof.
%i#cu!stances conside#ed, I believe that the#e 9as a valid 9a##antless sea#ch b* the police office#. n* evidence
obtained du#in$ the cou#se of said sea#ch is ad!issible in evidence a$ainst appellants. ?SDH%a
On the second issue, I concu# in the t#ial cou#t=s conclusion that the p#osecution has p#oved appellants= $uilt fo# violation
of Section . (' of the Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct be*ond #easonable doubt, fo# the follo9in$ #easons5
The ele!ents of ille$al possession of !a#i:uana a#e5 2a4 the accused is in possession of an ite! o# ob:ect 9hich is
identified to be a p#ohibited d#u$7 2b4 such possession is not autho#i;ed b* la97 and 2c4 the accused f#eel* and
consciousl* possessed the said d#u$. (.
The identit* of eithe# appellant as a possesso# of the sei;ed !a#i:uana leaves is not at issue. &oth 9e#e cau$ht in
fla$#ante delicto in a standa#d police ope#ation. The substance found in appellants= possession 9as identified afte#
labo#ato#* anal*sis b* Philippine National Police fo#ensic che!ist Noe!i uste#o to be !a#i:uana. (, ppellants= lac" of
autho#it* to possess these ite!s 9as also established.
ppellants= a9a#eness of the p#ohibited d#u$=s cha#acte# is also i##efutable. Ahen stopped b* the police!en, appellant
Tudtud 9as holdin$ the plastic ba$ in one hand and a ca#ton bo6 in his othe# hand, 9ith appellant &olon$ as helpin$ hi!
in ca##*in$ said bo6. I##efutabl*, appellants= ani!us possidendi e6isted to$ethe# 9ith the possession o# cont#ol of said
a#ticles. Recentl*, in People v. Tee, 0- 9e held that possession of a p#ohibited d#u$ pe# se constitutes p#i!a facie
evidence of "no9led$e o# ani!us possidendi sufficient to convict an accused absent a satisfacto#* e6planation of such
possession. In effect, the onus p#obandi !ust be shifted to the accused to e6plain the absence of "no9led$e o#
consciousness of the ele!ent of possession of the cont#aband, i.e. his ani!us possidendi. 03 ppellants, in this case,
have failed to discha#$e this e6culpato#* bu#den.
The conspi#ac* to co!!it the offense bet9een appellants Noel Tudtud and Dindo &olon$ clea#l* appea#s f#o! the
#eco#ds. The* 9e#e app#ehended at the sa!e ti!e. The* ali$hted to$ethe# f#o! the bus at the hi$h9a* co#ne# of To#il,
Davao %it*. ppellant &olon$ 9as helpin$ his co-appellant Tudtud ca##* the LFin$ @la"esL ca#ton bo6, 9hich contained
9hat tu#ned out to be a la#$e Buantit* of d#ied !a#i:uana leaves cove#ed b* d#ied fish and concealed in plastic and
ne9spape# 9#appe#. These facto#s convince !e that indeed the t9o appellants had conspi#ed to$ethe# and helped each
othe# in the co!!ission of the offense.
s the t#ial cou#t e6plained, the f#a!e-up an$le in this case that appellants 9ish to peddle in thei# defense does not
inspi#e belief. 8i"e alibi, the defense of f#a!e-up is vie9ed 9ith disfavo#, because it is easil* concocted. It is a co!!on
and standa#d line of defense in cases a#isin$ f#o! violations of the Dan$e#ous D#u$s ct. 01 ppellant Tudtud=s alibi that
he ca!e f#o! Fabacan, No#th %otabato, 9he#e he sold 8evis :eans, is unco##obo#ated. In his !e!o#andu!, he #efe##ed
to ?6h. L@,L clai!in$ that the app#ehendin$ office#s had confiscated the si6 pants then in his possession, 0( althou$h
?6h. L@L #efe#s to the ent#* in the police blotte# on the a##est of both appellants, 9ith no !ention of a plastic ba$
containin$ / 8evis :eans. 00 In the sa!e vein, the defense of appellant Dindo &olon$, that he too" the bus f#o!
Ha$ono*, Davao del Su#, afte# delive#in$ invitations fo# his cousin=s 9eddin$, #e!ains a ba#e alle$ation that is not
substantiated. The ve#sion of the incident b* the police office#s, co!in$ as it did f#o! la9 enfo#ce#s p#esu!ed to have
#e$ula#l* pe#fo#!ed thei# dut* in the absence of p#oof to the cont#a#*, 0+ and accepted as c#edible b* the t#ial cou#t, has
not been disc#edited at all b* appellants 9ho clai!ed a f#a!e-up 9ithout sufficient bases.
ppellants ne6t assail the c#edibilit* of the civilian info#!ant, 9itness &obon$ Solie#, on the $#ound that va#ious
info#!ations and co!plaints had been filed a$ainst hi! in the %it* %ou#t and Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Davao %it*. &ut it
should be st#essed that 9itness Solie#=s testi!on* is not essential fo# the conviction of the appellants. Testi!on* of the
police info#!ant in an ille$al d#u$ case is !e#el* cu!ulative and co##obo#ative of the app#ehendin$ office#s= e*e9itness
testi!onies. 0/ Mo#eove#, Solie#=s tip-off 9as not the sole basis fo# the police ope#ation in this case as the#e 9as p#io#
su#veillance conducted b* the police. s it stands, Solie#=s testi!on* !e#el* butt#essed the case fo# the p#osecution.
The investi$ative includin$ labo#ato#* p#ocedu#es adopted in this #e$a#d b* %hief Inspecto# Noe!i uste#o a#e bein$
c#itici;ed b* appellants. The* la!ent that the DuBuenois 8evine Test conducted b* uste#o at the PNP %#i!e 8abo#ato#*
on the confiscated leaves 9as inconclusive in #e$a#d to dete#!inin$ 9hethe# the confiscated ite!s 9e#e indeed
!a#i:uana, absent an* confi#!ato#* o# othe# tests. Ho9eve#, nothin$ on #eco#d effectivel* ne$ates the findin$ of the t#ial
cou#t that the test 9as #e$ula#l* pe#fo#!ed. The t#ial cou#t=s evaluation of the c#edibilit* of 9itnesses and thei# testi!onies
is entitled to $#eat #espect and 9ill not be distu#bed on appeal, unless the#e appea#s on #eco#d so!e facts of 9ei$ht and
substance that have been ove#loo"ed, !isapp#ehended, o# !isapplied b* the t#ial cou#t.
The t#ial cou#t, in !* vie9, did not e## in #ulin$ that the p#osecution has established the $uilt of appellants be*ond
#easonable doubt. ppellants a#e $uilt* of ille$al possession of a p#ohibited d#u$ unde# Section . of Republic ct /01+,
9hich p#ovides5
S?%. .. Possession o# Ese of P#ohibited D#u$s. M The penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua to death and a fine #an$in$ f#o!
five hund#ed thousand pesos to ten !illion pesos shall be i!posed upon an* pe#son 9ho, unless autho#i;ed b* la9, shall
possess o# use an* p#ohibited d#u$ sub:ect to the p#ovisions of Section 1- he#eof. 2s a!ended b* Republic ct '/+,.4
In sentencin$ both appellants to #eclusion pe#petua and in i!posin$ a fine of P+--,--- upon each of the!, the t#ial cou#t
9as not in e##o# but onl* enfo#cin$ la9 and polic* on p#ohibited and dan$e#ous d#u$s. Ende# R.. No. /01+ as a!ended
b* R.. No. '/+,, the penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua to death and a fine #an$in$ f#o! five hund#ed thousand pesos
2P+--,---4 to ten !illion pesos 2P3-,---,---4 shall be i!posed if the Buantit* of !a#i:uana involved in a conviction fo#
possession of !a#i:uana o# Indian he!p is '+- $#a!s o# !o#e. 0'
In the p#esent case, the %he!ist#* Repo#t sub!itted b* fo#ensic che!ist Noe!i uste#o states that the sub:ect p#ohibited
d#u$s 9e#e5 L2a4 D#ied suspected Ma#i:uana f#uitin$ tops 9ei$hin$ (,1-- $#a!s contained in a LFin$ @la"esL bo6, and 2b4
D#ied suspected Ma#i:uana leaves 9ei$hin$ .,-.- $#a!s contained in pin" and 9hite plastic ba$.L 0. The Buantit* of the
confiscated !a#i:uana as p#oved b* the p#osecution 9ei$hs !o#e than 0 "ilos, !uch in e6cess of '+- $#a!s cited b* the
la9 as baseline fo# the penalt* involved. In the absence of an* a$$#avatin$ o# !iti$atin$ ci#cu!stance, the lo9e# penalt*
of #eclusion pe#petua should be p#ope#l* i!posed, in vie9 of #t. /( of the Revised Penal %ode. 0,
To conclude, I a! of the conside#ed vie9 that the :ud$!ent of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t convictin$ the appellants, as 9ell
as the penalt* of #eclusion pe#petua i!posed on the!, should be affi#!ed. ?I%ScD
EN BANC
[G.R. No. 91107. June 19, 1991.]
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, pl!n"!#$ppellee, %&. 'I(AEL 'AL'STE)T, * +e,en+n"$ppelln".
T-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l ,o/ pl!n"!#$ppellee.
Ro0ulo, '1n", Buen%en"u/, S2o. 3 )e lo& An4ele& ,o/ +e,en+n"$ppelln".
) E C I S I O N
PA)ILLA, J p5
In n !n,o/0"!on +"e+ 16 June 1979, ..u&e+$ppelln" '!8el 'l0&"e+" 9-e/e!n,"e/ /e,e//e+ "o & "-e
..u&e+: ;& .-/4e+ 1e,o/e "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" 9RTC: o, L T/!n!++, Ben4ue", B/n.- 10, !n C/!0!nl
C&e No. 79$CR$0<<=, ,o/ %!ol"!on o, Se."!on >, A/". II o, Repu1l!. A." <>?6, & 0en+e+, o"-e/;!&e 8no;n
& "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197?, & 0en+e+. T-e ,."ul 1.84/oun+ o, "-e .&e !& & ,ollo;&5
A..u&e+ '!8el 'l0&"e+", S;e+!&- n"!onl, en"e/e+ "-e P-!l!pp!ne& ,o/ "-e "-!/+ "!0e !n )e.e01e/
1977 & "ou/!&". He -+ %!&!"e+ "-e .oun"/2 &o0e"!0e !n 197? n+ 1976.
In "-e e%en!n4 o, 7 '2 1979, ..u&e+ le," ,o/ B4u!o C!"2. @pon -!& //!%l "-e/e" !n "-e 0o/n!n4 o, "-e
,ollo;!n4 +2, -e "oo8 1u& "o S4+ n+ &"2e+ !n "-" pl.e ,o/ ";o 9?: +2&.
A" /oun+ 7500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e 0o/n!n4 o, 11 '2 1979, ..u&e+ ;en" "o "-e Nn4ono4n 1u& &"op !n
S4+ "o .".- "-e B/&" %!l1le "/!p "o B4u!o C!"2. F/o0 B4u!o C!"2, ..u&e+ plnne+ "o "8e l"e
,"e/noon "/!p "o An4ele& C!"2, "-en p/o.ee+ "o 'n!l "o .".- -!& C!4-" ou" o, "-e .oun"/2, &.-e+ule+ on
1= '2 1979. F/o0 S4+, ..u&e+ "oo8 S82l!ne 1u& ;!"- 1o+2 nu01e/ 7006 n+ Pl"e nu01e/ ADC
90?. 1
A" 1ou" 7500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e 0o/n!n4 o, "-" &0e +2 911 '2 1979:, Cp"!n Alen D&.o, "-e
Co00n+!n4 OE.e/ o, "-e F!/&" Re4!onl Co00n+ 9NARCO': &""!one+ " C0p )n4;, o/+e/e+ -!&
0en "o &e" up "e0po//2 .-e.8po!n" " (!lo0e"e/ 1>, A.op, Tu1l2, 'oun"!n P/o%!n.e, ,o/ "-e pu/po&e
o, .-e.8!n4 ll %e-!.le& .o0!n4 ,/o0 "-e Co/+!lle/ Re4!on. T-e o/+e/ "o e&"1l!&- .-e.8po!n" !n "-e &!+
/e ;& p/o0p"e+ 12 pe/&!&"en" /epo/"& "-" %e-!.le& .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ ;e/e "/n&po/"!n4 0/!Fun
n+ o"-e/ p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. 'o/eo%e/, !n,o/0"!on ;& /e.e!%e+ 12 "-e Co00n+!n4 OE.e/ o, NARCO',
"-" &0e 0o/n!n4, "-" Cu.&!n .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ -+ !n -!& po&&e&&!on p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. ?
T-e 4/oup .o0po&e+ o, &e%en 97: NARCO' oE.e/&, !n .oo/+!n"!on ;!"- Tu1l2 Pol!.e S""!on, &e" up
.-e.8po!n" " "-e +e&!4n"e+ /e " 1ou" 10500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e 0o/n!n4 n+ !n&pe."e+ ll %e-!.le&
.o0!n4 ,/o0 "-e Co/+!lle/ Re4!on.
A" 1ou" 15=0 oA.lo.8 !n "-e ,"e/noon, "-e 1u& ;-e/e ..u&e+ ;& /!+!n4 ;& &"oppe+. S4". F!+e/ n+ CIC
Glu"n 1o/+e+ "-e 1u& n+ nnoun.e+ "-" "-e2 ;e/e 0e01e/& o, "-e NARCO' n+ "-" "-e2 ;oul+
.on+u." n !n&pe."!on. T-e ";o 9?: NARCO' oE.e/& &"/"e+ "-e!/ !n&pe."!on ,/o0 "-e ,/on" 4o!n4 "o;/+&
"-e /e/ o, "-e 1u&. A..u&e+ ;-o ;& "-e &ole ,o/e!4ne/ /!+!n4 "-e 1u& ;& &e"e+ " "-e /e/ "-e/eo,.
)u/!n4 "-e !n&pe."!on, CIC Glu"n no"!.e+ 1ul4e on ..u&e+A& ;!&". Su&pe."!n4 "-e 1ul4e on ..u&e+A&
;!&" "o 1e 4un, "-e oE.e/ &8e+ ,o/ ..u&e+A& p&&po/" n+ o"-e/ !+en"!B."!on ppe/&. G-en ..u&e+
,!le+ "o .o0pl2, "-e oE.e/ /eHu!/e+ -!0 "o 1/!n4 ou" ;-"e%e/ !" ;& "-" ;& 1ul4!n4 on -!& ;!&". T-e
1ul4!n4 o1Fe." "u/ne+ ou" "o 1e pou.- 14 n+ ;-en ..u&e+ opene+ "-e &0e 14, & o/+e/e+, "-e
oE.e/ no"!.e+ ,ou/ 9>: &u&p!.!ou&$loo8!n4 o1Fe."& ;/ppe+ !n 1/o;n p.8!n4 "pe, p/o0p"!n4 "-e oE.e/ "o
open one o, "-e ;/ppe+ o1Fe."&. T-e ;/ppe+ o1Fe."& "u/ne+ ou" "o .on"!n -&-!&-, +e/!%"!%e o,
0/!Fun.
T-e/e,"e/, ..u&e+ ;& !n%!"e+ ou"&!+e "-e 1u& ,o/ Hue&"!on!n4. Bu" 1e,o/e -e l!4-"e+ ,/o0 "-e 1u&,
..u&e+ &"oppe+ "o 4e" ";o 9?: "/%ell!n4 14& ,/o0 "-e lu444e .//!e/.
@pon &"epp!n4 ou" o, "-e 1u&, "-e oE.e/& 4o" "-e 14& n+ opene+ "-e0. A "e++2 1e/ ;& ,oun+ !n e.-
14. Feel!n4 "-e "e++2 1e/&, "-e oE.e/ no"!.e+ "-" "-e/e ;e/e 1ul4e& !n&!+e "-e &0e ;-!.- +!+ no" ,eel
l!8e ,o0 &"uEn4. I" ;& onl2 ,"e/ "-e oE.e/& -+ opene+ "-e 14& "-" ..u&e+ Bnll2 p/e&en"e+ -!&
p&&po/".
A..u&e+ ;& "-en 1/ou4-" "o "-e -e+Hu/"e/& o, "-e NARCO' " C0p )n4;, L T/!n!++, Ben4ue" ,o/
,u/"-e/ !n%e&"!4"!on. A" "-e !n%e&"!4"!on /oo0, "-e oE.e/& opene+ "-e "e++2 1e/& n+ "-e2 ;e/e ,oun+
"o l&o .on"!n -&-!&-. Rep/e&en""!%e &0ple& ;e/e "8en ,/o0 "-e -&-!&- ,oun+ 0on4 "-e pe/&onl
e#e."& o, ..u&e+ n+ "-e &0e ;e/e 1/ou4-" "o "-e PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2 ,o/ .-e0!.l nl2&!&.
In "-e .-e0!&"/2 /epo/", !" ;& e&"1l!&-e+ "-" "-e o1Fe."& eI0!ne+ ;e/e -&-!&-, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4
;-!.- !& +e/!%"!%e o, 0/!Fun. T-u&, n !n,o/0"!on ;& Ble+ 4!n&" ..u&e+ ,o/ %!ol"!on o, "-e
)n4e/ou& )/u4& A.".
)u/!n4 "-e //!4n0en", ..u&e+ en"e/e+ ple o, Jno" 4u!l"2.J Fo/ -!& +e,en&e, -e /!&e+ "-e !&&ue o,
!lle4l &e/.- o, -!& pe/&onl e#e."&. He l&o .l!0e+ "-" "-e -&-!&- ;& pln"e+ 12 "-e NARCO'
oE.e/& !n -!& pou.- 14 n+ "-" "-e ";o 9?: "/%ell!n4 14& ;e/e no" o;ne+ 12 -!0, 1u" ;e/e 0e/el2
en"/u&"e+ "o -!0 12 n Au&"/l!n .ouple ;-o0 -e 0e" !n S4+. He ,u/"-e/ .l!0e+ "-" "-e Au&"/l!n
.ouple !n"en+e+ "o "8e "-e &0e 1u& ;!"- -!0 1u" 1e.u&e "-e/e ;e/e no 0o/e &e"& %!l1le !n &!+
1u&, "-e2 +e.!+e+ "o "8e "-e neI" /!+e n+ &8e+ ..u&e+ "o "8e .-/4e o, "-e 14&, n+ "-" "-e2
;oul+ 0ee" e.- o"-e/ " "-e )n4; S""!on.
L!8e;!&e, ..u&e+ lle4e+ "-" ;-en "-e NARCO' oE.e/& +e0n+e+ ,o/ -!& p&&po/" n+ o"-e/
!+en"!B."!on ppe/&, -e -n+e+ "o one o, "-e oE.e/& -!& pou.- 14 ;-!.- ;& -n4!n4 on -!& ne.8
.on"!n!n4, 0on4 o"-e/&, -!& p&&po/", /e"u/n "!.8e" "o S;e+en n+ o"-e/ ppe/&. T-e oE.e/ !n "u/n
-n+e+ !" "o -!& .o0pn!on ;-o 1/ou4-" "-e 14 ou"&!+e "-e 1u&. G-en &!+ oE.e/ .0e 1.8, -e
.-/4e+ "-e ..u&e+ "-" "-e/e ;& -&-!&- !n "-e 14. He ;& "ol+ "o 4e" o# "-e 1u& n+ -!& p!."u/e ;&
"8en ;!"- "-e pou.- 14 pl.e+ /oun+ -!& ne.8. T-e "/!l .ou/" +!+ no" 4!%e ./e+en.e "o ..u&e+A&
+e,en&e. L!1LeI
T-e .l!0 o, "-e ..u&e+ "-" "-e -&-!&- ;& pln"e+ 12 "-e NARCO' oE.e/&, ;& 1el!e+ 12 -!& ,!lu/e
"o /!&e &u.- +e,en&e " "-e e/l!e&" oppo/"un!"2. G-en ..u&e+ ;& !n%e&"!4"e+ " "-e P/o%!n.!l F!&.lA&
OE.e, -e +!+ no" !n,o/0 "-e F!&.l o/ -!& l;2e/ "-" "-e -&-!&- ;& pln"e+ 12 "-e NARCO' oE.e/& !n
-!& 14. I" ;& onl2 ";o 9?: 0on"-& ,"e/ &!+ !n%e&"!4"!on ;-en -e "ol+ -!& l;2e/ 1ou" &!+ .l!0,
+en2!n4 o;ne/&-!p o, "-e ";o 9?: "/%ell!n4 14& & ;ell & -%!n4 -&-!&- !n -!& pou.- 14.
In +e.!&!on +"e+ 1? O."o1e/ 1979, "-e "/!l .ou/" ,oun+ ..u&e+ 4u!l"2 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" ,o/
%!ol"!on o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.", &pe.!B.ll2 Se."!on >, A/". II o, RA <>?6, & 0en+e+. = T-e
+!&po&!"!%e po/"!on o, "-e +e.!&!on /e+& & ,ollo;&5
JGHEREFORE, Bn+!n4 "-e 4u!l" o, "-e ..u&e+ '!8el 'l0&"e+" e&"1l!&-e+ 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1",
"-!& Cou/" Bn+& -!0 G@ILTK o, %!ol"!on o, Se."!on >, A/"!.le II o, Repu1l!. A." <>?6, & 0en+e+, n+
-e/e12 &en"en.e& -!0 "o &u#e/ "-e penl"2 o, l!,e !0p/!&on0en" n+ "o p2 Bne o, T;en"2 T-ou&n+
Pe&o& 9P?0,000.00:, ;!"- &u1&!+!/2 !0p/!&on0en" !n .&e o, !n&ol%en.2 n+ "o p2 "-e .o&"&.
Le" "-e -&-!&- &u1Fe." o, "-!& .&e 1e "u/ne+ o%e/ "o "-e F!/&" N/.o"!.& Re4!onl @n!" " C0p B+oL
)n4;, L T/!n!++, Ben4ue" ,o/ p/ope/ +!&po&!"!on un+e/ Se."!on ?0, A/"!.le ID o, Repu1l!. A." >?6, &
0en+e+.
SO OR)ERE).J >
See8!n4 "-e /e%e/&l o, "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e "/!l .ou/" Bn+!n4 -!0 4u!l"2 o, "-e ./!0e .-/4e+, ..u&e+
/4ue& "-" "-e &e/.- o, -!& pe/&onl e#e."& ;& !lle4l 1e.u&e !" ;& 0+e ;!"-ou" &e/.- ;//n"
n+, "-e/e,o/e, "-e p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& ;-!.- ;e/e +!&.o%e/e+ +u/!n4 "-e !lle4l &e/.- /e no" +0!&&!1le &
e%!+en.e 4!n&" -!0.
T-e Con&"!"u"!on 4u/n"ee& "-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/& n+
e#e."& 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. 6 Ho;e%e/, ;-e/e "-e &e/.- !& 0+e pu/&un" "o
l;,ul //e&", "-e/e !& no nee+ "o o1"!n &e/.- ;//n". A l;,ul //e&" ;!"-ou" ;//n" 02 1e 0+e
12 pe.e oE.e/ o/ p/!%"e pe/&on un+e/ "-e ,ollo;!n4 .!/.u0&"n.e&. <
JSEC. 6. A//e&" ;!"-ou" ;//n"L ;-en l;,ul. N A pe.e oE.e/ o/ p/!%"e pe/&on 02, ;!"-ou"
;//n", //e&" pe/&on5
9: G-en, !n -!& p/e&en.e, "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ -& .o00!""e+, !& ."ull2 .o00!""!n4, o/ !&
""e0p"!n4 "o .o00!" n o#en&eL
91: G-en n o#en&e -& !n ,." Fu&" 1een .o00!""e+, n+ -e -& pe/&onl 8no;le+4e o, ,."&
!n+!."!n4 "-" "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ -& .o00!""e+ !"L n+
9.: G-en "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ !& p/!&one/ ;-o -& e&.pe+ ,/o0 penl e&"1l!&-0en" o/
pl.e ;-e/e -e !& &e/%!n4 Bnl Fu+40en" o/ "e0po//!l2 .onBne+ ;-!le -!& .&e !& pen+!n4, o/ -& e&.pe+
;-!le 1e!n4 "/n&,e//e+ ,/o0 one .onBne0en" "o no"-e/.
In .&e& ,ll!n4 un+e/ p/4/p-& 9: n+ 91: -e/eo,, "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ ;!"-ou" ;//n" &-ll 1e
,o/"-;!"- +el!%e/e+ "o "-e ne/e&" pol!.e &""!on o/ F!l, n+ -e &-ll 1e p/o.ee+e+ 4!n&" !n ..o/+n.e
;!"- Rule 11?, Se."!on 7. 9<, 17:.J
A..u&e+ ;& &e/.-e+ n+ //e&"e+ ;-!le "/n&po/"!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& 9-&-!&-:. A ./!0e ;& ."ull2
1e!n4 .o00!""e+ 12 "-e ..u&e+ n+ -e ;& .u4-" !n C4/n"e +el!."o. T-u&, "-e &e/.- 0+e upon -!&
pe/&onl e#e."& ,ll& &Hu/el2 un+e/ p/4/p- 91: o, "-e ,o/e4o!n4 p/o%!&!on& o, l;, ;-!.- llo;
;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en" "o l;,ul //e&". 7
G-!le !" !& "/ue "-" "-e NARCO' oE.e/& ;e/e no" /0e+ ;!"- &e/.- ;//n" ;-en "-e &e/.- ;&
0+e o%e/ "-e pe/&onl e#e."& o, ..u&e+, -o;e%e/, un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e& o, "-e .&e, "-e/e ;&
&uE.!en" p/o11le .u&e ,o/ &!+ oE.e/& "o 1el!e%e "-" ..u&e+ ;& "-en n+ "-e/e .o00!""!n4 ./!0e.
LLp-!l
P/o11le .u&e -& 1een +eBne+ & &u.- ,."& n+ .!/.u0&"n.e& ;-!.- .oul+ le+ /e&on1le, +!&./ee"
n+ p/u+en" 0n "o 1el!e%e "-" n o#en&e -& 1een .o00!""e+, n+ "-" "-e o1Fe."& &ou4-" !n
.onne."!on ;!"- "-e o#en&e /e !n "-e pl.e &ou4-" "o 1e &e/.-e+. 7 T-e /eHu!/e+ p/o11le .u&e "-"
;!ll Fu&"!,2 ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e !& no" +e"e/0!ne+ 12 n2 BIe+ ,o/0ul 1u" !& /e&ol%e+
..o/+!n4 "o "-e ,."& o, e.- .&e. 9
G//n"le&& &e/.- o, "-e pe/&onl e#e."& o, n ..u&e+ -& 1een +e.l/e+ 12 "-!& Cou/" & %l!+,
1e.u&e o, eI!&"en.e o, p/o11le .u&e, ;-e/e "-e &0ell o, 0/!Fun e0n"e+ ,/o0 pl&"!. 14 o;ne+
12 "-e ..u&e+, 10 o/ ;-e/e "-e ..u&e+ ;& ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2, 11 n+ ""e0p"e+ "o Cee. 1?
A&!+e ,/o0 "-e pe/&!&"en" /epo/"& /e.e!%e+ 12 "-e NARCO' "-" %e-!.le& .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ ;e/e
"/n&po/"!n4 0/!Fun n+ o"-e/ p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&, "-e!/ Co00n+!n4 OE.e/ l&o /e.e!%e+ !n,o/0"!on
"-" Cu.&!n .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ on "-" p/"!.ul/ +2 -+ p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n -!& po&&e&&!on. S!+
!n,o/0"!on ;& /e.e!%e+ 12 "-e Co00n+!n4 OE.e/ o, NARCO' "-e %e/2 &0e 0o/n!n4 "-" ..u&e+
.0e +o;n 12 1u& ,/o0 S4+ on -!& ;2 "o B4u!o C!"2.
G-en NARCO' /e.e!%e+ "-e !n,o/0"!on, ,e; -ou/& 1e,o/e "-e pp/e-en&!on o, -e/e!n ..u&e+, "-"
Cu.&!n "/%ell!n4 ,/o0 S4+ "o B4u!o C!"2 ;& .//2!n4 ;!"- -!0 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&, "-e/e ;& no
"!0e "o o1"!n &e/.- ;//n". In "-e Tn4l!1en .&e, 1= "-e pol!.e u"-o/!"!e& .on+u."e+ &u/%e!lln.e
" "-e D!."o/2 L!ne/ Te/0!nl lo."e+ " B42. Sn N!.ol&, Sn Fe/nn+o P0pn4, 4!n&" pe/&on&
en44e+ !n "-e "/E. o, +n4e/ou& +/u4&, 1&e+ on !n,o/0"!on &uppl!e+ 12 &o0e !n,o/0e/&. A..u&e+
Tn4l!1en ;-o ;& ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2 n+ po!n"e+ ou" 12 n !n,o/0e/ ;& pp/e-en+e+ n+ &e/.-e+ 12
"-e pol!.e u"-o/!"!e&. I" ;& -el+ "-" ;-en ,.e+ ;!"- on$"-e &po" !n,o/0"!on, "-e pol!.e oE.e/& -+ "o
." Hu!.8l2 n+ "-e/e ;& no "!0e "o &e.u/e &e/.- ;//n".
I" 0u&" 1e o1&e/%e+ "-", " B/&", "-e NARCO' oE.e/& 0e/el2 .on+u."e+ /ou"!ne .-e.8 o, "-e 1u&
9;-e/e ..u&e+ ;& /!+!n4: n+ "-e p&&en4e/& "-e/e!n, n+ no eI"en&!%e &e/.- ;& !n!"!ll2 0+e. I"
;& onl2 ;-en one o, "-e oE.e/& no"!.e+ 1ul4e on "-e ;!&" o, ..u&e+, +u/!n4 "-e .ou/&e o, "-e
!n&pe."!on, "-" ..u&e+ ;& /eHu!/e+ "o p/e&en" -!& p&&po/". T-e ,!lu/e o, ..u&e+ "o p/e&en" -!&
!+en"!B."!on ppe/&, ;-en o/+e/e+ "o +o &o, onl2 0n4e+ "o /ou&e "-e &u&p!.!on o, "-e oE.e/ "-"
..u&e+ ;& "/2!n4 "o -!+e -!& !+en"!"2. Fo/ !& !" no" /e4ul/ no/0 ,o/ n !nno.en" 0n, ;-o -& no"-!n4
"o -!+e ,/o0 "-e u"-o/!"!e&, "o /e+!l2 p/e&en" -!& !+en"!B."!on ppe/& ;-en /eHu!/e+ "o +o &oO
T-e /e.e!p" o, !n,o/0"!on 12 NARCO' "-" Cu.&!n .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ -+ p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n -!&
po&&e&&!on, plu& "-e &u&p!.!ou& ,!lu/e o, "-e ..u&e+ "o p/o+u.e -!& p&&po/", "8en "o4e"-e/ & ;-ole,
le+ "-e NARCO' oE.e/& "o /e&on1l2 1el!e%e "-" "-e ..u&e+ ;& "/2!n4 "o -!+e &o0e"-!n4 !lle4l ,/o0
"-e u"-o/!"!e&. F/o0 "-e&e .!/.u0&"n.e& /o&e p/o11le .u&e ;-!.- Fu&"!Be+ "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.-
"-" ;& 0+e on "-e pe/&onl e#e."& o, "-e ..u&e+. In o"-e/ ;o/+&, "-e ."& o, "-e NARCO' oE.e/& !n
/eHu!/!n4 "-e ..u&e+ "o open -!& pou.- 14 n+ !n open!n4 one o, "-e ;/ppe+ o1Fe."& ,oun+ !n&!+e &!+
14 9;-!.- ;& +!&.o%e/e+ "o .on"!n -&-!&-: & ;ell & "-e ";o 9?: "/%ell!n4 14& .on"!n!n4 ";o 9?:
"e++2 1e/& ;!"- -&-!&- &"u#e+ !n&!+e "-e0, ;e/e p/o0p"e+ 12 ..u&e+A& o;n ""e0p" "o -!+e -!&
!+en"!"2 12 /e,u&!n4 "o p/e&en" -!& p&&po/", n+ 12 "-e !n,o/0"!on /e.e!%e+ 12 "-e NARCO' "-"
Cu.&!n .o0!n4 ,/o0 S4+ -+ p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n -!& po&&e&&!on. To +ep/!%e "-e NARCO' 4en"& o,
"-e 1!l!"2 n+ ,.!l!"2 "o ." ..o/+!n4l2, !n.lu+!n4, "o &e/.- e%en ;!"-ou" ;//n", !n "-e l!4-" o, &u.-
.!/.u0&"n.e&, ;oul+ 1e "o &n."!on !0po"en.e n+ !ne#e."!%ene&& !n l; en,o/.e0en", "o "-e +e"/!0en"
o, &o.!e"2.
GHEREFORE, p/e0!&e& .on&!+e/e+, "-e ppele+ Fu+40en" o, .on%!."!on 12 "-e "/!l .ou/" !& -e/e12
AFFIR'E). Co&"& 4!n&" "-e ..u&e+$ppelln".
SO OR)ERE).
'elen.!o$He//e/, P/&, Fel!.!no, B!+!n, G/!Po$AHu!no, 'e+!l+e, Re4l+o n+ )%!+e, J/., JJ., .on.u/.
S/0!en"o, J., !& on le%e.
Sep/"e Op!n!on&
NARDASA, J., .on.u//!n4 n+ +!&&en"!n45
T-e n.!en" "/+!"!on "-" 0nA& -o0e !& -!& .&"le, &,e ,/o0 !n"/u&!on e%en 12 "-e 8!n4, -& no" onl2
,oun+ !"& n!.-e !n ll ou/ .-/"e/&, ,/o0 19=6 "o "-e p/e&en"L !" -& l&o /e.e!%e+ un%/2!n4 /e.o4n!"!on
n+ ..ep"n.e !n ou/ .&e l;. 1 T-e p/e&en" Con&"!"u"!on ? +e.l/e& "-" N
JT-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/&, n+ e#e."& 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e, &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no &e/.- ;//n"
o/ ;//n" o, //e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2 12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/
eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02 p/o+u.e, n+
p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+, n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J
I" ,u/"-e/ o/+!n& "-" n2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, &!+ /!4-", 0on4 o"-e/&, J&-ll 1e
!n+0!&&!1le ,o/ n2 pu/po&e !n n2 p/o.ee+!n4.J =
T-e /ule !& "-" no pe/&on 02 1e &u1Fe."e+ 12 "-e pol!.e o/ o"-e/ 4o%e/n0en" u"-o/!"2 "o &e/.- o, -!&
1o+2, o/ -!& pe/&onl e#e."& o/ 1elon4!n4&, o/ -!& /e&!+en.e eI.ep" 12 %!/"ue o, &e/.- ;//n" o/ on "-e
o..&!on o, le4!"!0"e //e&". > An //e&" !& le4!"!0"e, o, .ou/&e, !, e#e."e+ 12 %!/"ue o, ;//n" o,
//e&". E%en ;!"-ou" ;//n", n //e&" 02 l&o 1e l;,ull2 0+e 12 pe.e oE.e/ o/ p/!%"e
pe/&on5 6
9: ;-en, !n -!& p/e&en.e, "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ -& .o00!""e+, !& ."ull2 .o00!""!n4, o/ !&
""e0p"!n4 "o .o00!" n o#en&eL
91: G-en n o#en&e -& !n ,." Fu&" 1een .o00!""e+, n+ -e -& pe/&onl 8no;le+4e o, ,."&
!n+!."!n4 "-" "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ -& .o00!""e+ !"L n+
9.: G-en "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ !& p/!&one/ ;-o -& e&.pe+ ,/o0 penl e&"1l!&-0en" o/
pl.e ;-e/e -e !& &e/%!n4 Bnl Fu+40en" o/ "e0po//!l2 .onBne+ ;-!le -!& .&e !& pen+!n4, o/ -& e&.pe+
;-!le 1e!n4 "/n&,e//e+ ,/o0 one .onBne0en" "o no"-e/.
In .&e& ,ll!n4 un+e/ p/4/p-& 9: n+ 91: -e/eo,, "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ ;!"-ou" ;//n" &-ll 1e
,o/"-;!"- +el!%e/e+ "o "-e ne/e&" pol!.e &""!on o/ F!l, n+ -e &-ll 1e p/o.ee+e+ 4!n&" !n ..o/+n.e
;!"- Rule 11?, Se."!on 7.J
In n2 o, "-e&e !n&"n.e& o, l;,ul //e&", "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ J02 1e &e/.-e+ ,o/ +n4e/ou& ;epon&
o/ n2"-!n4 ;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & p/oo, o, "-e .o00!&&!on o, n o#en&e, ;!"-ou" &e/.- ;//n".J <
An+ !" -& 1een -el+ "-" "-e &e/.- 02 eI"en+ "o "-e /e J;!"-!n -!& !00e+!"e .on"/ol,J !.e., "-e /e
,/o0 ;-!.- &!+ pe/&on //e&"e+ 0!4-" 4!n po&&e&&!on o, ;epon o/ +e&"/u."!1le e%!+en.e. 7
Ap/" ,/o0 J&e/.- !n.!+en"l "o n //e&",J ;//n"le&& &e/.- -& l&o 1een -el+ "o 1e p/ope/ !n .&e&
o, J&e/.- o, 0o%!n4 %e-!.le,J 7 n+ J&e!Mu/e o, e%!+en.e !n pl!n %!e;.J 9 T-!& ;& "-e p/onoun.e0en"
!n 'n!pon, J/. %. Sn+!4n12n, 1>= SCRA ?<7, ?7<, ;-!.- +/e; ""en"!on "o 'o/eno %. A4o C-!L 10
Al%e/o %. )!Mon, 11 Pp %. '4o, 1? n+ n A0e/!.n p/e.e+en", H//!& %. @.S. 1=
I,, on "-e o"-e/, pe/&on !& &e/.-e+ ;!"-ou" ;//n", o/ un+e/ .!/.u0&"n.e& o"-e/ "-n "-o&e
Fu&"!,2!n4 n //e&" ;!"-ou" ;//n" !n ..o/+n.e ;!"- l;, &up/, 0e/el2 on &u&p!.!on "-" -e !& en44e+
!n &o0e ,elon!ou& en"e/p/!&e, n+ !n o/+e/ "o +!&.o%e/ !, -e -& !n+ee+ .o00!""e+ ./!0e, !" !& no" onl2
"-e //e&" ;-!.- !& !lle4l 1u" l&o, "-e &e/.- on "-e o..&!on "-e/eo,, & 1e!n4 J"-e ,/u!" o, "-e po!&onou&
"/ee.J 1> In "-" e%en", n2 e%!+en.e "8en, e%en !, .onB/0"o/2 o, "-e !n!"!l &u&p!.!on, !& !n+0!&&!1le
J,o/ n2 pu/po&e !n n2 p/o.ee+!n4.J 16 Bu" "-e /!4-" 4!n&" n un/e&on1le &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 02
1e ;!%e+ 12 "-e pe/&on //e&"e+, p/o%!+e+ -e 8ne; o, &u.- /!4-" n+ 8no;!n4l2 +e.!+e+ no" "o !n%o8e !".
1<
T-e/e !& unn!0!"2 0on4 "-e 0e01e/& o, "-e Cou/" upon "-e .on"!nu!n4 %l!+!"2 o, "-e&e e&"1l!&-e+
p/!n.!ple&. Ho;e%e/, "-e Cou/" !& +!%!+e+ & /e4/+& "-e ul"!0"e .on.lu&!on& ;-!.- 02 p/ope/l2 1e
+e/!%e+ ,/o0 "-e p/o%en ,."& n+ .on&eHuen"l2, "-e 0nne/ !n ;-!.- "-e p/!n.!ple& Fu&" .!"e+ &-oul+
ppl2 "-e/e"o. LLFu/
T-e p/oo,& o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on n+ "-o&e o, "-e +e,en&e /e +!0e"/!.ll2 " o++&. G-" !& .e/"!n,
-o;e%e/, !& "-" "-e &ol+!e/& -+ no ;//n" o, //e&" ;-en "-e2 .on+u."e+ &e/.- o, 'l0&"e+"A&
pe/&on n+ "-e "-!n4& !n -!& po&&e&&!on " "-e "!0e. In+ee+, "-e Cou/" Huo .8no;le+4e+ "-" "-e
&ol+!e/& .oul+ Jno" 1e eIpe."e+ "o 1e /0e+ ;!"- ;//n" o/ //e&" no/ &e/.- ;//n" e%e/2"!0e "-e2
e&"1l!&- "e0po//2 .-e.8po!n" . . . 9n+: no Fu+4e ;oul+ !&&ue "-e0 one .on&!+e/!n4 "-" &e/.-!n4
Hue&"!on& -%e "o 1e &8e+ 1e,o/e ;//n" .oul+ 1e !&&ue+.J EHull2 pl!n !& "-" p/!o/ "o "-e &e/.-,
;//n"le&& //e&" o, 'l0&"e+" .oul+ no" %l!+l2 -%e 1een !n ..o/+n.e ;!"- "-e no/0& o, "-e l;. Fo/
'l0&"e+" -+ no" .o00!""e+, no/ ;& -e ."ull2 .o00!""!n4 o/ ""e0p"!n4 "o .o00!" ./!0e, !n "-e
&ol+!e/&A p/e&en.e, no/ +!+ &!+ &ol+!e/& -%e pe/&onl n+ .o0pe"en" 8no;le+4e "-" 'l0&"e+" -+ !n
,." Fu&" .o00!""e+ ./!0e. All "-e2 -+ ;& &u&p!.!on "-" 'l0&"e+" 0!4-" -%e &o0e p/o-!1!"e+
+/u4 on -!0 o/ !n -!& 14&L ll "-e2 -+ ;&, !n "-e ;o/+& o, "-e T/!l Cou/", J"-e -ope o, !n"e/.ep"!n4 n2
+n4e/ou& +/u4 1e!n4 "/n&po/"e+,J o/, & "-e OE.e o, "-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l &&e/"&, J!n,o/0"!on "-"
0o&" o, "-e 1u&e& .o0!n4 . . . 9,/o0 "-e Co/+!lle/: ;e/e "/n&po/"!n4 0/!Fun n+ o"-e/ p/o-!1!"e+
+/u4&.J
T-!& .&e, !& /e0/81l2 &!0!l/ "o Peo. %. A0!nnu+!n, +e.!+e+ on Jul2 <, 1977 l&o 12 "-e F!/&" )!%!&!on. 17
T-e/e, A0!nnu+!n ;& //e&"e+ ;!"-ou" ;//n" 12 PC oE.e/& & -e ;& +!&e01/8!n4 ,/o0 n !n"e/$
!&ln+ %e&&el. T-e oE.e/& ;e/e ;!"!n4 ,o/ -!0 1e.u&e -e ;&, ..o/+!n4 "o n !n,o/0e/A& /epo/", "-en
"/n&po/"!n4 0/!Fun. T-e &e/.- o, A0!nnu+!nA& 14 .onB/0e+ "-e !n,o/0e/A& /epo/"L "-e 14 !n+ee+
.on"!ne+ 0/!Fun. T-e Cou/" ne%e/"-ele&& -el+ "-" &!n.e "-e PC oE.e/& -+ ,!le+ "o p/o.u/e &e/.-
;//n" l"-ou4- "-e2 -+ &uE.!en" "!0e 9";o +2&: "o +o &o n+ "-e/e,o/e, "-e .&e p/e&en"e+ no &u.-
u/4en.2 & "o Fu&"!,2 ;//n"le&& &e/.-, "-e &e/.- o, A0!nnu+!nA& pe/&on n+ 14, "-e &e!Mu/e o, "-e
0/!Fun n+ -!& &u1&eHuen" //e&" ;e/e !lle4lL n+ "-e 0/!Fun ;& !n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e !n "-e
./!0!nl ."!on &u1&eHuen"l2 !n&"!"u"e+ 4!n&" A0!nnu+!n ,o/ %!ol"!n4 "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.".
T-e/e /e, on "-e o"-e/ -n+, o"-e/ .&e& +Fu+!."e+ 12 "-!& Cou/" !n ;-!.- pp/en"l2 +!#e/en"
.on.lu&!on& ;e/e /e.-e+. I" !& nee+,ul "o +e%o"e ,e; ;o/+& "o "-e0 &o "-" "-e /ele%n" .on&"!"u"!onl
n+ le4l p/opo&!"!on& /e no" 0!&un+e/&"oo+.
In People %. Clu+!o 9+e.!&!on p/o0ul4"e+ on Ap/!l 16, 977:, 17 "-e ..u&e+ 1o/+e+ JD!."o/2 L!ne/J
p&&en4e/ 1u& 4o!n4 "o Olon4po ,/o0 B4u!o C!"2. S-e pl.e+ "-e pl&"!. 14 &-e ;& .//2!n4 " "-e
1.8 o, "-e &e" "-en o..up!e+ 12 O1!P, n INP 0e01e/ Jon )e".-e+ Se/%!.e ;!"- "-e An"!$N/.o"!.&
@n!".J T-!& %o;e+l2 /ou&e+ O1!PA& &u&p!.!on, n+ " "-e B/&" oppo/"un!"2, n+ ;!"-ou" Clu+!oA&
8no;le+4e, -e &u//ep"!"!ou&l2 loo8e+ !n"o "-e pl&"!. 14 n+ no"e+ "-" !" .on"!ne+ .0o"e "op& & ;ell
& p.84e, n+ "-" "-e/e e0n"e+ ,/o0 "-e p.84e "-e &0ell o, 0/!Fun ;!"- ;-!.- -e -+
1e.o0e ,0!l!/ on ..oun" o, -!& ;o/8. So ;-en "-e 1u& &"oppe+ " S". R!", n+ Clu+!o l!4-"e+, O1!P
..o&"e+ -e/, &-o;e+ -e/ -!& I), !+en"!Be+ -!0&el, & pol!.e0n, n+ nnoun.e+ -!& !n"en"!on "o &e/.-
-e/ 14 ;-!.- -e &!+ .on"!ne+ 0/!Fun 1e.u&e o, "-e +!&"!n."!%e o+o/ +e"e."e+ 12 -!0. I4no/!n4 -e/
ple N JPle&e 4o ;!"- 0e, le" u& &e""le "-!& " -o0eJ N -e 1/ou4-" -e/ "o "-e pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/&, ;-e/e
eI0!n"!on o, "-e p.84e !n Clu+!oA& 14 .onB/0e+ -!& &u&p!.!on "-" !" !n+ee+ .on"!ne+ 0/!Fun.
T-e Cou/" -el+ "-e ;//n"le&& //e&" un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e& "o 1e l;,ul, "-e &e/.- Fu&"!Be+, n+ "-e
e%!+en.e "-u& +!&.o%e/e+ +0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e 4!n&" "-e ..u&e+.
In People %. Tn4l!1en 9+e.!&!on p/o0ul4"e+ on Ap/!l <, 1990:, 19 ";o pol!.e oE.e/& n+ 1/n42
"no+ ;e/e .on+u."!n4 J&u/%e!lln.e 0!&&!onJ " "-e D!."o/2 L!ne/ Te/0!nl " Sn N!.ol&, Sn Fe/nn+o,
P0pn4, J!0e+ no" onl2 4!n&" pe/&on& ;-o 02 .o00!" 0!&+e0eno/& . . . 9"-e/e: 1u" l&o on
pe/&on& ;-o 02 1e en44!n4 !n "-e "/E. o, +n4e/ou& +/u4& 1&e+ on !n,o/0"!on &uppl!e+ 12
!n,o/0e/&L . . . "-e2 no"!.e+ pe/&on .//2!n4 /e+ "/%ell!n4 14 . . . ;-o ;& ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2LJ "-e2
&8e+ -!0 "o open "-e 14L "-e pe/&on +!+ &o onl2 ,"e/ "-e2 !+en"!Be+ "-e0&el%e& & pe.e oE.e/&L
,oun+ !n "-e 14 ;e/e 0/!Fun le%e& ;/ppe+ !n pl&"!. ;e!4-!n4 one 8!lo4/0, 0o/e o/ le&&L "-e
pe/&on ;& "-en "8en "o "-e pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/& " Sn Fe/nn+o, P0pn4, ;-e/e -e ;&
!n%e&"!4"e+L n+ n !n,o/0"!on ;& "-e/e,"e/ Ble+ 4!n&" "-" pe/&on, Tn4l!1en, .-/4!n4 -!0 ;!"-
%!ol"!on o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197? 9RA <>?6:, & 0en+e+. @pon "-e&e ,."& !" ;& /ule+, .!"!n4
Clu+!o, &up/, "-" "-e/e ;& %l!+ ;//n"le&& //e&" n+ p/ope/ ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en" "-e/e"o.
T-e ,."& !n Tn4l!1en ;e/e p/onoun.e+ "o 1e +!#e/en" ,/o0 "-o&e !n People %. A0!nnu+!n, &up/. JIn
.on"/&"J "o A0!nnu+!n ;-e/e "-e Cou/" pe/.e!%e+ no u/4en.2 & "o p/e.lu+e "-e ppl!."!on ,o/ n+
o1"en"!on o, &e/.- ;//n", !" ;& +e.l/e+ "-" "-e Tn4l!1en .&e N
J. . . p/e&en"e+ u/4en.2. . . . 9T-e e%!+en.e /e%ele+: "-" "-e/e ;& n !n,o/0e/ ;-o po!n"e+ "o "-e
..u&e+$ppelln" & .//2!n4 0/!Fun. . . . F.e+ ;!"- &u.- on$"-e$&po" !n,o/0"!on, "-e pol!.e oE.e/&
-+ "o ." Hu!.8l2. T-e/e ;& no" enou4- "!0e "o &e.u/e &e/.- ;//n". . . . To /eHu!/e &e/.- ;//n"&
+u/!n4 on$"-e$&po" pp/e-en&!on& o, +/u4 pu&-e/&, !lle4l po&&e&&o/& o, B/e/0&, Fue"en4 .olle."o/&,
&0u44le/& o, .on"/1n+ 4oo+&, /o11e/, e".. ;oul+ 08e !" eI"/e0el2 +!E.ul", !, no" !0po&&!1le "o .on"!n
"-e ./!0e& ;!"- ;-!.- "-e&e pe/&on& /e &&o.!"e+.J
In Tn4l!1en, "-e/e,o/e, "-e/e ;& !n "-e Cou/"A& %!e; &uE.!en" e%!+en.e on -n+ "o en1le "-e PC oE.e/&
"o &e.u/e &e/.- ;//n", -+ "-e/e 1een "!0e. Bu" 1e.u&e "-e/e ;& ."ull2 no "!0e "o 4e" "-e
;//n", n+ "-e/e ;e/e Jon$"-e$&po"J !n+!."!on& "-" Tn4l!1en ;& "-en ."ull2 .o00!""!n4 ./!0e,
"-e &e/.- o, -!& pe/&on n+ -!& e#e."& ;& .on&!+e/e+ %l!+.
T;o o"-e/ +e.!&!on& p/e&en"e+ &u1&"n"!ll2 &!0!l/ .!/.u0&"n.e&5 Po&+& % . C.A., e" l., +e.!+e+ on
Au4u&" ?, 1990, ?0 n+ People %. 'o!&e& '&p!l, J/., e" l., +e.!+e+ on Au4u&" ?0, 1990. ?1
In "-e B/&" .&e, Po&+& ;& &een "o 1e ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2 12 ";o 0e01e/& o, "-e INP, )%o
'e"/o+!&.o0, n+ ;-en -e ;& ..o&"e+ 12 "-e ";o, ;-o !+en"!Be+ "-e0&el%e& & pol!.e oE.e/&, -e
&u++enl2 Ce+. He ;& pu/&ue+, o%e/"8en n+, no";!"-&"n+!n4 -!& /e&!&"n.e, pl.e+ !n .u&"o+2. T-e 1u/!
14 Po&+& ;& "-en .//2!n4 ;& ,oun+ "o .on"!n /e%ol%e/, ,o/ ;-!.- -e .oul+ p/o+u.e no l!.en&e o/
u"-o/!"2 "o po&&e&&, ,ou/ /oun+& o, l!%e 00un!"!on, n+ "e/ 4& 4/en+e. He ;& p/o&e.u"e+ ,o/
!lle4l po&&e&&!on o, B/e/0& n+ 00un!"!on n+ .on%!."e+ ,"e/ "/!l. T-!& Cou/" E/0e+ Po&+&A
.on%!."!on, -ol+!n4 "-" "-e/e ;&, !n "-e p/e0!&e&, p/o11le .u&e ,o/ &e/.- ;!"-ou" ;//n", !.e., "-e
ppelln" ;& ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2 n+ ""e0p"e+ "o Cee ;!"- "-e 1u/! 14 -e -+ ;!"- -!0 " "-e "!0e.
T-e Cou/" .!"e+ ;!"- pp/o%l "-e /ul!n4 o, "-e @.S. Fe+e/l Sup/e0e Cou/" !n Jo-n G. Te//2 %. S""e o,
O-!o, ?? 19<7 .&e, ;-!.- "-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l -+ !n%o8e+ "o Fu&"!,2 "-e &e/.-. C+p/
In "-e .&e o, '&p!l, e" l., .-e.8po!n" ;& &e" up 12 ele0en"& o, "-e F!/&" N/.o"!.& Re4!onl @n!" o,
"-e N/.o"!.& Co00n+ " S2n4n, A"o8, Ben4ue", "o 0on!"o/, !n&pe." n+ &./u"!n!Me %e-!.le& on "-e
-!4-;2 4o!n4 "o;/+& B4u!o C!"2. T-!& ;& +one 1e.u&e o, .onB+en"!l /epo/" 12 !n,o/0e/& "-"
'&p!l n+ no"-e/ pe/&on, B48!n4, ;oul+ 1e "/n&po/"!n4 l/4e Hun"!"2 o, 0/!Fun "o B4u!o C!"2. In
,.", "-e !n,o/0e/& ;e/e ;!"- "-e pol!.e0en 0nn!n4 "-e .-e.8po!n". A& eIpe."e+, " 1ou" ? oA.lo.8 !n
"-e e/l2 0o/n!n4 o, No%e01e/ 1, 197<, Feepne2 pp/o.-e+ "-e .-e.8po!n", +/!%en 12 '&p!l, ;!"-
B48!n4 & p&&en4e/. T-e oE.e/& &"oppe+ "-e %e-!.le n+ &; "-" on !" ;e/e lo+e+ ? pl&"!. &.8&,
Fu"e &.8, n+ = 1!4 /oun+ "!n .n&. G-en opene+, "-e &.8& n+ .n& ;e/e &een "o .on"!n ;-"
ppe/e+ "o 1e 0/!Fun le%e&. T-e pol!.e0en "-e/eupon pl.e+ '&p!l n+ B48!n4 un+e/ //e&", n+
.onB&."e+ "-e le%e& ;-!.-, upon &.!en"!B. eI0!n"!on, ;e/e %e/!Be+ "o 1e 0/!Fun le%e&. T-e Cou/"
up-el+ "-e %l!+!"2 o, "-e &e/.- "-u& .on+u."e+, & 1e!n4 !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul ;//n"le&& //e&", ?= n+
+e.l/e+ "-", & !n Tn4l!1en, &up/, '&p!l n+ B48!n4 -+ 1een .u4-" !n C4/n"e +el!."o
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eHull2 & !0po/"n"l2, -+ &uE.!en" "!0e n+ oppo/"un!"2 "o o1"!n &e/.- ;//n". In "-e .&e o,
'&p!l n+ B48!n4, "-e Cou/" ,oun+ "-" "-e oE.e/& .on.e/ne+ -+ no eI." +e&./!p"!on o, "-e %e-!.le
"-e ,o/0e/ ;oul+ 1e u&!n4 "o "/n&po/" 0/!Fun, n+ no !n8l!n4 o, "-e +eBn!"e "!0e o, "-e &u&pe."&A
//!%l, n+ po!n"e+ ou" "-" Feepne2 on "-e /o+ !& no" "-e &0e & p&&en4e/ 1o" on "-e -!4- &e&
;-o&e /ou"e n+ "!0e o, //!%l /e 0o/e o/ le&& .e/"!n, n+ ;-!.- o/+!n/!l2 .nno" +e%!"e ,/o0 o/
o"-e/;!&e l"e/ !"& .ou/&e, o/ &ele." no"-e/ +e&"!n"!on. ?6
T-e 0o&" /e.en" +e.!&!on "/e"!n4 o, ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e ppe/& "o 1e People %. Lo Ho G!n4L
e" l, G.R. No. 77017, +e.!+e+ on Jnu/2 ?1, 1991 9pe/ Gn.2.o, J.:. In "-" .&e, n un+e/.o%e/ o/
J+eep pene"/"!onJ 4en", T!, 0n4e+ &o0e-o; "o 4!n ..ep"n.e !n"o 4/oup o, &u&pe."e+ +/u4
&0u44le/&, ;-!.- !n.lu+e+ Pe"e/ Lo n+ L!0 C-!n4 Hu". T! ..o0pn!e+ Pe"e/ Lo, "o Gun4M-ou, C-!n,
;-e/e -e &; -!0 n+ o"-e/ pe/&on e0p"2 "-e .on"en"& o, &!I 9<: "!n& o, "e n+ /epl.e "-e0 ;!"- ;-!"e
po;+e/. On "-e!/ /e"u/n "o 'n!l ;!"- "-e .n& o, &u1&"!"u"e+ J"e,J "-e2 ;e/e 0e" " "-e !/po/" 12 L!0.
A& "-e2 ;e/e le%!n4 "-e !/po/" !n &ep/"e %e-!.le&, "-e2 ;e/e !n"e/.ep"e+ 12 oE.e/& n+ ope/"!%e& o,
"-e N/.o"!.& Co00n+ 9NARCO':, ;-o -+ e/l!e/ 1een "!ppe+ o# 12 T!, n+ pl.e+ un+e/ //e&". A&
&e/.- o, "-e lu444e 1/ou4-" !n 12 T! n+ Pe"e/ Lo, lo+e+ on "-e 4/oupA& %e-!.le&, Hu!.8l2 +!&.lo&e+ "-e
&!I 9<: "!n .n& .on"!n!n4 B,"2$&!I 96<: 14& o, ;-!"e ./2&"ll!ne po;+e/ ;-!.-, upon nl2&!&, ;&
!+en"!Be+ & 0e"0p-e"0!ne. T!, Lo n+ L!0 ;e/e !n+!."e+ ,o/ %!ol"!on o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o,
197?. T! ;& +!&.-/4e+ & &""e ;!"ne&&. Lo n+ L!0 ;e/e &u1&eHuen"l2 .on%!."e+ n+ &en"en.e+ "o l!,e
!0p/!&on0en". One o, "-e Hue&"!on& /!&e+ 12 "-e0 !n "-!& Cou/" on ppel ;& ;-e"-e/ "-e ;//n"le&&
&e/.- o, "-e!/ %e-!.le& n+ pe/&onl e#e."& ;& le4l. T-e Cou/", .!"!n4 'n!pon, J/. %. Sn+!4n12n,
1>= SCRA ?<7 9197<:, ?< -el+ le4l "-e &e/.- o, "-e ppelln"&A 0o%!n4 %e-!.le& n+ "-e &e!Mu/e
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.ln+e&"!ne /epo/"& 12 pln"e+ &p2 ."ull2 p/"!.!p"!n4 !n "-e ."!%!"2, "-" "-e ppelln"& ;e/e
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"-e !0po&&!1le !n "-e .&e o, &0u44l!n4 e#e."e+ 12 "-e u&e o, 0o%!n4 %e-!.le "-" .n "/n&po/"
.on"/1n+ ,/o0 one pl.e "o no"-e/ ;!"- !0pun!"2,J n+ J!" !& no" p/."!.1le "o &e.u/e ;//n"
1e.u&e "-e %e-!.le .n 1e Hu!.8l2 0o%e+ ou" o, "-e lo.l!"2 o/ Fu/!&+!."!on !n ;-!.- "-e ;//n" 0u&" 1e
&ou4-".J ?7
In ll B%e .&e&, Clu+!o, Tn4l!1en, Po&+&, '&p!l, n+ Lo Ho G!n4, ,."& eI!&"e+ ;-!.- ;e/e ,oun+ 12
"-e Cou/" & Fu&"!,2!n4 ;//n"le&& //e&"&. In Clu+!o, "-e //e&"!n4 oE.e/ -+ &e./e"l2 &.e/"!ne+ "-"
"-e ;o0n -e ;& //e&"!n4 ;& !n ,." !n po&&e&&!on o, 0/!FunL -e -+ pe/&onll2 &een "-" -e/ 14
.on"!ne+ no" onl2 %e4e"1le& 1u" l&o p.84e e0!""!n4 "-e o+o/ o, 0/!Fun. In Tn4l!1en, "-e pe/&on
//e&"e+ n+ &e/.-e+ ;& ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2, n+ -+ 1een po&!"!%el2 po!n"e+ "o & .//2!n4 0/!Fun.
An+ !n 1o"- .&e&, "-e ..u&e+ ;e/e 1ou" "o 1o/+ p&&en4e/ 1u&e&, 08!n4 !" u/4en" ,o/ "-e pol!.e
oE.e/& .on.e/ne+ "o "8e Hu!.8 n+ +e.!&!%e ."!on. In Po&+&, "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ n+ &e/.-e+ ;&
."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2, "oo, n+ ;-en ..o&"e+ -+ ""e0p"e+ "o Cee ,/o0 "-e pol!.e oE.e/&. An+ !n '&p!l
n+ Lo Ho G!n4, "-e/e ;& +eBn!"e !n,o/0"!on o, "-e p/e.!&e !+en"!"2 o, "-e pe/&on& en44e+ !n
"/n&po/"!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& " p/"!.ul/ "!0e n+ pl.e. .+p-!l
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le4!"!0"e !n&"n.e o, ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e, "-e/e !&, & e/l!e/ po!n"e+ ou", /e4/e""1le
+!%e/4en.e o, %!e;& 0on4 "-e 0e01e/& o, "-e Cou/".
Con"//2 "o "-e .on.lu&!on /e.-e+ 12 "-e 0Fo/!"2, I 1el!e%e "-" "-e ppelln" &-oul+ 1e 1&ol%e+ on
/e&on1le +ou1". T-e/e ;& !n "-!& .&e no .onB+en"!l /epo/" ,/o0, o/ po&!"!%e !+en"!B."!on 12 n
!n,o/0e/L no ""e0p" "o CeeL no 14 o/ p.84e e0!""!n4 "ell$"le o+o/&L no o"-e/ /e&on1l2 pe/&u&!%e
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&u1&eHuen"l2 p/o&e.u"e+. Hen.e, ;-en "-e &ol+!e/& &e/.-e+ 'l0&"e+"A& pou.- n+ "-e 14& !n -!&
po&&e&&!on, "-e2 ;e/e &!0pl2 JB&-!n4J ,o/ e%!+en.e. I" 0""e/& no" "-" "-e &e/.- +!&.lo&e+ "-" "-e 14&
.on"!ne+ p/o-!1!"e+ &u1&"n.e&, .onB/0!n4 "-e!/ !n!"!l !n,o/0"!on n+ &u&p!.!on. T-e &e/.- ;& no"
0+e 12 %!/"ue o, ;//n" o/ & n !n.!+en" o, l;,ul ;//n"le&& //e&", !.e., un+e/ .!/.u0&"n.e&
&uE.!en" "o en4en+e/ /e&on1le 1el!e, "-" &o0e ./!0e ;& 1e!n4 o/ 1ou" "o 1e .o00!""e+, o/ -+
Fu&" 1een .o00!""e+. T-e/e ;& no !n"ell!4en" n+ !n"en"!onl ;!%e/ o, "-e /!4-" 4!n&" un/e&on1le
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e%!+en.e 2!el+e+ 12 "-e &e/.-. An //e&" 0+e !n "-" .&e ;oul+ 1e unl;,ul, n+ "-e &e/.-
un+e/"8en & n !n.!+en" o, &u.- n unl;,ul //e&", l&o unl;,ul.
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T/!n!++, 'l0&"e+" -+, !" !& &!+, ;!ll!n4l2 +0!""e+ "-" "-e/e ;e/e ;& -&-!&- !n&!+e "-e J"e++2 1e/&J
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un+e/ "-e&e .!/.u0&"n.e&, & "-e Con&"!"u"!on .le/l2 &""e&, /e J!n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e 4!n&" -!0.
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"-e S""e 0u&" /el2 on "-e &"/en4"- o, !"& e%!+en.e n+ no" on "-e ;e8ne&& o, "-e +e,en&e. T-e
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Cou/"& n+ !n+ee+ o, e%e/2 /e&pon&!1le .!"!Men. Bu" "-o&e e#o/"& 0u&" "8e ..oun" o, "-e 1&!. /!4-"&
4/n"e+ 12 "-e Con&"!"u"!on n+ "-e l; "o pe/&on& ;-o 02 ,ll un+e/ &u&p!.!on o, en44!n4 !n ./!0!nl
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no 0""e/ -o; e0!nen"l2 +e&!/1le ""!n0en" o, "-" o1Fe."!%e 0!4-" 1e. )!&/e4/+ o, "-o&e /!4-"&, &
"-!& Cou/" -& e/l!e/ &"/e&&e+, 02 /e&ul" !n "-e e&.pe o, "-e 4u!l"2, n+ ll 1e.u&e "-e J.on&"1le -&
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I "-e/e,o/e %o"e "o /e%e/&e "-e T/!l Cou/"A& Fu+40en" o, O."o1e/ 1?, 1979 n+ "o .Hu!" "-e ppelln" on
/e&on1le +ou1".
Fe/nn, C.J., Gu"!e//eM n+ Gn.2.o, JJ., +!&&en".
CR@Q, J., +!&&en"!n45
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,."& o, "-!& .&e o, "-e p/o%!&!on& o, "-e B!ll o, R!4-"& n+ "-e Rule& o, Cou/" on &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. I"
!& .on&!&"en" ;!"- 02 ponen.! !n People %. A00!nu+!n, 1<= SCRA >0?, n+ l&o ;!"- Al!- %. C&"/o, 161
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p/o.ee+!n4.J
T-e ,/u!" o, "-e po!&onou& "/ee &-oul+ no" 1e llo;e+ "o po!&on ou/ &2&"e0 o, ./!0!nl Fu&"!.e. In "-e .&e
" 1/, "-e &e/.- ;& 0+e " .-e.8po!n" e&"1l!&-e+ ,o/ "-e p/epo&"e/ou& /e&on "-" "-e /ou"e ;&
1e!n4 u&e+ 12 0/!Fun +ele/& n+ on n !n+!%!+ul ;-o -+ &o0e"-!n4 1ul4!n4 " -!& ;!&" "-" eI.!"e+
"-e &ol+!e/A& &u&p!.!on. G& "-" p/o11le .u&eO T-e ponen.! no"e& "-" "-e 0!l!"/2 -+ +%n.e
!n,o/0"!on "-" Cu.&!n ;& .o0!n4 ,/o0 "-e S4+ ;!"- p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n -!& po&&e&&!on. T-!& !&
;-" "-e 0!l!"/2 &2& no;, ,"e/ "-e ,.", "o Fu&"!,2 "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.-. I" !& &o e&2 "o 08e &u.-
.l!0, n+ I 0 &u/p/!&e+ "-" "-e 0Fo/!"2 &-oul+ /e+!l2 ..ep" !".
T-e .on.lu&!on "-" "-e/e ;& p/o11le .u&e 02 -%e 1een !nCuen.e+ 12 "-e &u1&eHuen" +!&.o%e/2
"-" "-e ..u&e+ ;& .//2!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4. T-!& !& &uppo&e+ "o Fu&"!,2 "-e &ol+!e/A& &u&p!.!on. In
o"-e/ ;o/+&, !" ;& "-e ,." o, !lle4l po&&e&&!on "-" /e"/o."!%el2 e&"1l!&-e+ "-e p/o11le .u&e "-"
%l!+"e+ "-e !lle4l &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e. I" ;& "-e ,/u!" o, "-e po!&onou& "/ee "-" ;&-e+ .len "-e "/ee
!"&el,.
In Ol0&"e+ %. @.S., ?77 @.S. >=7, Ju&"!.e Hol0e& &!+ &!I"2$,ou/ 2e/& 4o5
. . . I" !& +e&!/1le "-" ./!0!nl& &-oul+ 1e +e"e."e+, n+ "o "-" en+ "-" ll %!l1le e%!+en.e &-oul+ 1e
u&e+. I" !& l&o +e&!/1le "-" "-e 4o%e/n0en" &-oul+ no" !"&el, ,o&"e/ n+ p2 ,o/ o"-e/ ./!0e&, ;-en "-e2
/e "-e 0en& 12 ;-!.- "-e e%!+en.e !& "o 1e o1"!ne+. I, !" p2& !"& oE.e/& ,o/ -%!n4 4o" e%!+en.e 12
./!0e, I +o no" &ee ;-2 !" 02 no" & ;ell p2 "-e0 ,o/ 4e""!n4 !" !n "-e &0e ;2, n+ I .n "".- no
!0po/"n.e "o p/o"e&""!on& o, +!&pp/o%l !, !" 8no;!n4l2 ..ep"& n+ p2& n+ nnoun.e& "-" !n "-e
,u"u/e !" ;!ll p2 ,o/ "-e ,/u!"&. Ge -%e "o .-oo&e, n+ ,o/ 02 p/" I "-!n8 !" le&& e%!l "-" &o0e ./!0!nl&
&-oul+ e&.pe "-n "-" "-e 4o%e/n0en" &-oul+ pl2 n !4no1le p/".
I, 12 +e"e//!n4 "-e 4o%e/n0en" ,/o0 pl2!n4 Jn !4no1le p/",J I 0 J.o++l!n4 ./!0!nl&,J I ;el.o0e "-e
..u&"!on n+ "8e p/!+e !n !". I ;oul+ /"-e/ e// !n ,%o/ o, "-e ..u&e+ ;-o !& !0ple+ ;!"- ou"l;e+
e%!+en.e "-n eIl" o/+e/ " "-e p/!.e o, l!1e/"2.
Fe/nn, C.J. n+ Gu"!e//eM, J., +!&&en".
THIR) )IDISION
[G.R. No. 1?0>=1. Ap/!l 1, 1997.]
RO)OLFO ESPANO, ..u&e+$pe"!"!one/, %&. CO@RT OF APPEALS n+ PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
/e&pon+en"&.
Ce,e/!no P+u L; OE.e ,o/ pe"!"!one/.
T-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l ,o/ /e&pon+en"&.
SKNOPSIS
T-!& !& pe"!"!on ,o/ /e%!e; o, "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e .ou/" o, Appel& !n CA G.R. CR No. 1=97< +"e+ Jnu/2
1<, 1996 ;-!.- E/0e+ !n "o"o "-e Fu+40en" o, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" o, 'n!l, B/n.- 1, .on%!."!n4
pe"!"!one/ Ro+ol,o E&pno ,o/ %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II Se."!on 7 o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+,
o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197?. T-e /e.o/+& o, "-e .&e /e%el "-" -e/e!n
pe"!"!one/ ;& .u4-" !n po&&e&&!on o, n+ un+e/ -!& .u&"o+2 ";el%e pl&"!. .ellop-ne 14& ;e!4-!n4 6.6
4/0& .on"!n!n4 ./u&-e+ Co;e/!n4 "op&, 0/!Fun ;-!.- !& p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4. In -!& ppel 1e,o/e "-e
Sup/e0e Cou/", pe"!"!one/ .on"en+& "-" "-e "/!l n+ ppell"e .ou/"& e//e+ !n .on%!."!n4 -!0 1e.u&e 91:
"-e p!e.e& o, e%!+en.e &e!Me+ ;e/e !n+0!&&!1leL 9?: "-e &upe/!o/!"2 o, -!& .on&"!"u"!onl /!4-" "o 1e
p/e&u0e+ !nno.en" o%e/ "-e +o."/!ne o, p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2L 9=: -e ;& +en!e+ "-e .on&"!"u"!onl
/!4-" o, .on,/on""!on n+ "o .o0pul&o/2 p/o.e&&L n+ 9>: -!& .on%!."!on ;& 1&e+ on e%!+en.e ;-!.- ;&
!//ele%n" n+ no" p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+. CIS.A
T-e Sup/e0e Cou/" Bn+& "-" "-e/e ;& no .o0pell!n4 /e&on "o /e%e/&e "-e +e.!&!on& o, "-e "/!l n+
ppell"e .ou/"&. In "-!& .&e, "-e Bn+!n4& o, "-e "/!l .ou/" "-" "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& ;e/e 0o/e
./e+!1le "-n "-o&e o, "-e +e,en&e 0u&" &"n+. Pe"!"!one/ ,!le+ "o &-o; "-" P". Ro0eo P4!l4n, !n
"e&"!,2!n4 4!n&" -!0, ;& 0o"!%"e+ 12 /e&on& o"-e/ "-n -!& +u"2 "o .u/1 +/u4 1u&e n+ -+ n2
!n"en" "o ,l&el2 !0pu"e "o -!0 &u.- &e/!ou& ./!0e & po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. In "-e 1&en.e o,
&u.- !ll 0o"!%e, "-e p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2 !n "-e pe/,o/0n.e o, -!& oE.!l +u"2 0u&" p/e%!l.
Fu/"-e/0o/e, "-e +e,en&e o, l!1! &e" up 12 pe"!"!one/ +e&e/%e+ &.n" .on&!+e/"!on. He &!0pl2 .on"en+e+
"-" -e ;& !n -!& -ou&e &leep!n4 " "-e "!0e o, "-e !n.!+en". L&"l2, "-e ";o .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun
&e!Me+ ;e/e +0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e 1e.u&e -e ;& .u4-" !n C4/n"! & /e&ul" o, 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on
.on+u."e+ 12 pol!.e oE.e/&. Ho;e%e/, & ,o/ "-e o"-e/ "en .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun ,oun+ "
pe"!"!one/A& /e&!+en.e, "-e &0e /e !n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e .on&!+e/!n4 "-" "-e &!+ 14& ;e/e &e!Me+
" pe"!"!one/A& -ou&e ,"e/ -!& //e&", -en.e, +o no" ,ll un+e/ "-e eI.ep"!on& p/o%!+e+ un+e/ A/"!.le III,
Se."!on ? o, "-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on. In %!e; "-e/eo,, "-e !n&"n" pe"!"!on !& +en!e+ n+ "-e .-llen4e+
+e.!&!on !& E/0e+ ;!"- 0o+!B."!on & "o "-e penl"2.
SKLLAB@S
1. RE'E)IAL LAGL EDI)ENCEL CRE)IBILITK OF GITNESSESL FIN)INGS OF TRIAL CO@RTS ON THE
CRE)IBILITK OF GITNESSES )ESERDE A HIGH )EGREE OF RESPECTL CASE AT BAR. N I" !& ;ell$&e""le+
+o."/!ne "-" Bn+!n4& o, "/!l .ou/"& on "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, ;!"ne&& +e&e/%e -!4- +e4/ee o, /e&pe.". H%!n4
o1&e/%e+ "-e +epo/"0en" o, ;!"ne&&e& +u/!n4 "-e "/!l, "-e "/!l Fu+4e !& !n 1e""e/ po&!"!on "o +e"e/0!ne
"-e !&&ue o, ./e+!1!l!"2 n+, "-u&, -!& Bn+!n4& ;!ll no" 1e +!&"u/1e+ +u/!n4 ppel !n "-e 1&en.e o, n2
.le/ n+ &-o;!n4 "-" -e -+ o%e/loo8e+, 0!&un+e/&"oo+ o/ 0!&ppl!e+ &o0e ,."& o/ .!/.u0&"n.e& o,
;e!4-" n+ &u1&"n.e ;-!.- .oul+ -%e l"e/e+ "-e .on%!."!on o, "-e ppelln"&. In "-!& .&e, "-e Bn+!n4&
o, "-e "/!l .ou/" "-" "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& ;e/e 0o/e ./e+!1le "-" "-o&e o, "-e +e,en&e 0u&" &"n+.
Pe"!"!one/ ,!le+ "o &-o; "-" P". P4!l4n, !n "e&"!,2!n4 4!n&" -!0, ;& 0o"!%"e+ 12 /e&on& o"-e/
"-n -!& +u"2 "o .u/1 +/u4 1u&e n+ -+ n2 !n"en" "o ,l&el2 !0pu"e "o -!0 &u.- &e/!ou& ./!0e &
po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. In "-e 1&en.e o, &u.- !ll 0o"!%e, "-e p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2 !n "-e
pe/,o/0n.e o, -!& oE.!l +u"2 0u&" p/e%!l.
?. I).L I).L I).L CLAI' OF FRA'E$@P, LI(E ALIBI, IS A )EFENSE THAT HAS BEEN INDARIABLK DIEGE)
BK THE CO@RT GITH )ISFADORL CASE AT BAR. N T-e +e,en&e &e" up 12 pe"!"!one/ +oe& no" +e&e/%e n2
.on&!+e/"!on. He &!0pl2 .on"en+e+ "-" -e ;& !n -!& -ou&e &leep!n4 " "-e "!0e o, "-e !n.!+en". T-!&
.ou/" -& .on&!&"en"l2 -el+ "-" l!1! !& "-e ;e8e&" o, ll +e,en&e&L n+ ,o/ !" "o p/o&pe/, "-e ..u&e+ -&
"-e 1u/+en o, p/o%!n4 "-" -e ;& no" " "-e &.ene o, "-e ./!0e " "-e "!0e o, !"& .o00!&&!on n+ "-" !"
;& p-2&!.ll2 !0po&&!1le ,o/ -!0 "o 1e "-e/e. 'o/eo%e/, "-e J.l!0 o, A,/0e$up,A l!8e l!1!, !& +e,en&e
"-" -& 1een !n%/!1l2 %!e;e+ 12 "-e Cou/" ;!"- +!&,%o/ ,o/ !" .n Fu&" & e&!l2 1e .on.o."e+ 1u"
+!E.ul" "o p/o%e, n+ !& .o00on n+ &"n+/+ l!ne o, +e,en&e !n 0o&" p/o&e.u"!on& /!&!n4 ,/o0
%!ol"!on& o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.".J No .le/ n+ .on%!n.!n4 e%!+en.e ;& p/e&en"e+ 12 pe"!"!one/ "o
p/o%e -!& +e,en&e o, l!1!.
=. I).L CRI'INAL PROCE)@REL GARRANTLESS ARRESTL THE 'ARIJ@ANA SEIQE) FRO' PETITIONERAS
HO@SE AFTER HIS ARREST IS INA)'ISSIBLE IN EDI)ENCEL CASE AT BAR. N T-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on
4u/n"ee& ,/ee+o0 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& un+e/ A/"!.le III, Se."!on ? ;-!.-
p/o%!+e&5 JT-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/& n+ e#e."& 4!n&"
un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no
&e/.- ;//n" o/ ;//n" o, //e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2
12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/ eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02
p/o+u.e, n+ p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J An
eI.ep"!on "o "-e &!+ /ule !& ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&" o, +n4e/ou& ;epon& o/
n2"-!n4 ;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & p/oo, o, "-e .o00!&&!on o, n o#en&e. I" 02 eI"en+ 1e2on+ "-e pe/&on
o, "-e one //e&"e+ "o !n.lu+e "-e p/e0!&e& o/ &u//oun+!n4& un+e/ -!& !00e+!"e .on"/ol. In "-!& .&e, "-e
"en .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun &e!Me+ " pe"!"!one/A& -ou&e ,"e/ -!& //e&" " Pn+.n n+ Q0o/
S"/ee"& +o no" ,ll un+e/ "-e &!+ eI.ep"!on&. . . . T-e /"!.le& &e!Me+ ,/o0 pe"!"!one/ +u/!n4 -!& //e&" ;e/e
%l!+ un+e/ "-e +o."/!ne o, &e/.- 0+e !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&". T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- 0+e !n -!&
-ou&e, -o;e%e/, ;-!.- 2!el+e+ "en .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun 1e.0e unl;,ul &!n.e "-e pol!.e
oE.e/& ;e/e no" /0e+ ;!"- &e/.- ;//n" " "-e "!0e. 'o/eo%e/, !" ;& 1e2on+ "-e /e.- n+ .on"/ol
o, pe"!"!one/. HTS.EI
>. CRI'INAL LAGL REP@BLIC ACT NO. <>?6 AS A'EN)E) BK REP@BLIC ACT 7<69L IF THE R@ANTITK
OF 'ARIJ@ANA INDOLDE) IS LESS THAN 760 GRA'S, THE I'POSABLE PENALTK RANGES FRO' PRISION
CORRECCIONAL TO RECL@SION TE'PORALL CASE AT BAR. N T-!& Cou/" Bn+& pe"!"!one/ Ro+ol,o E&pno
4u!l"2 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, %!ol"!n4 A/"!.le II, Se."!on 7, !n /el"!on "o Se."!on ? 9e$L:9I: o, Repu1l!.
A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+. @n+e/ "-e &!+ p/o%!&!on, "-e penl"2 !0po&e+ !& &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o
";el%e 2e/& n+ Bne /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I "-ou&n+ "o ";el%e "-ou&n+ pe&o&. G!"- "-e p&&4e o,
Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69, ;-!.- "oo8 e#e." on )e.e01e/ =1, 199=, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 &-ll no; +epen+
on "-e Hun"!"2 o, +/u4& /e.o%e/e+. @n+e/ "-e p/o%!&!on& o, Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69, Se."!on ?0, n+ &
!n"e/p/e"e+ !n People %. S!0on 9?=> SCRA 666 [199>]: n+ People %. L/, 9?=< SCRA ?91 [199>]: !, "-e
Hun"!"2 o, 0/!Fun !n%ol%e+ !& le&& "-n 760 4/0&, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 /n4e& ,/o0 p/!&!on
.o//e..!onl "o /e.lu&!on "e0po/l. T8!n4 !n"o .on&!+e/"!on "-" pe"!"!one/ !& no" -1!"ul +el!nHuen",
"-e 0en+"o/2 p/o%!&!on !& ,%o/1le "o -!0 n+ "-e Hun"!"2 o, 0/!Fun !n%ol%e+ !& le&& "-n 760
4/0&, "-e penl"2 !0po&e+ un+e/ Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69 &-oul+ 1e ppl!e+.
6. I).L I).L PROPER PENALTK THEREOFL CASE AT BAR. N T-e/e 1e!n4 no 0!"!4"!n4 no/ 44/%"!n4
.!/.u0&"n.e&, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 &-ll 1e p/!&!on .o//e..!onl !n !"& 0e+!u0 pe/!o+. Appl2!n4 "-e
In+e"e/0!n"e Sen"en.e L;, "-e 0I!0u0 penl"2 &-ll 1e "8en ,/o0 "-e 0e+!u0 pe/!o+ o, p/!&!on
.o//e..!onl, ;-!.- !& ";o 9?: 2e/&, ,ou/ 9>: 0on"-& n+ one 91: +2 "o ,ou/ 9>: 2e/& n+ ";o 9?: 0on"-&,
;-!le "-e 0!n!0u0 &-ll 1e "8en ,/o0 "-e penl"2 neI" lo;e/ !n +e4/ee, ;-!.- !& one 91: 0on"- n+ one
91: +2 "o &!I 9<: 0on"-& o, //e&"o 02o/. .S)HEC
) E C I S I O N
RO'ERO, J p5
T-!& !& pe"!"!on ,o/ /e%!e; o, "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e Cou/" o, Appel& !n CA$G.R. CR No. 1=97< +"e+ Jnu/2
1<, 1996, 1 ;-!.- E/0e+ !n "o"o "-e Fu+40en" o, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" o, 'n!l, B/n.- 1, .on%!."!n4
pe"!"!one/ Ro+ol,o E&pno ,o/ %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on 7 o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+,
o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.". !&+.
Pe"!"!one/ ;& .-/4e+ un+e/ "-e ,ollo;!n4 !n,o/0"!on5
JT-" on o/ 1ou" Jul2 1>, 1991, !n "-e C!"2 o, 'n!l, P-!l!pp!ne& "-e &!+ ..u&e+, no" 1e!n4 u"-o/!Me+
12 l; "o po&&e&& o/ u&e n2 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4, +!+ "-en n+ "-e/e ;!l,ull2, unl;,ull2 n+ 8no;!n4l2 -%e !n
-!& po&&e&&!on n+ un+e/ -!& .u&"o+2 n+ .on"/ol ";el%e 91?: pl&"!. .ellop-ne 914&: .on"!n!n4 ./u&-e+
Co;e/!n4 "op&, 0/!Fun ;e!4-!n4 6.6 4/0& ;-!.- !& p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4.
Con"//2 "o l;.J ?
T-e e%!+en.e ,o/ "-e p/o&e.u"!on, 1&e+ on "-e "e&"!0on2 o, P". Ro0eo P4!l4n, &-o;& "-" on Jul2 1>,
1991, " 1ou" 1?5=0 .0., -e n+ o"-e/ pol!.e oE.e/&, n0el2, P". G!l,/e+o AHu!l!no, S!0pl!.!o R!%e/,
n+ E/l!n+o Lu01o2 o, "-e Ge&"e/n Pol!.e )!&"/!." 9GP):, N/.o"!.& )!%!&!on ;en" "o Q0o/ n+ Pn+.n
S"/ee"&, 'n!l "o .onB/0 /epo/"& o, +/u4 pu&-!n4 !n "-e /e. T-e2 &; pe"!"!one/ &ell!n4 J&o0e"-!n4J "o
no"-e/ pe/&on. A,"e/ "-e lle4e+ 1u2e/ le,", "-e2 pp/o.-e+ pe"!"!one/, !+en"!Be+ "-e0&el%e& &
pol!.e0en, n+ ,/!&8e+ -!0. T-e &e/.- 2!el+e+ ";o pl&"!. .ellop-ne "e 14& o, 0/!Fun . G-en
&8e+ !, -e -+ 0o/e 0/!Fun, -e /epl!e+ "-" "-e/e ;& 0o/e !n -!& -ou&e. T-e pol!.e0en ;en" "o -!&
/e&!+en.e ;-e/e "-e2 ,oun+ "en 0o/e .ellop-ne "e 14& o, 0/!Fun. Pe"!"!one/ ;& 1/ou4-" "o "-e
pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/& ;-e/e -e ;& .-/4e+ ;!"- po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. On Jul2 ?>, 1991,
pe"!"!one/ po&"e+ 1!l = n+ "-e "/!l .ou/" !&&ue+ -!& o/+e/ o, /ele&e on Jul2 ?9, 1991. >
Ann1elle Al!p, ,o/en&!. .-e0!&" o, "-e GP) C/!0!nl In%e&"!4"!on L1o/"o/2 Se."!on, "e&"!Be+ "-" "-e
/"!.le& &en" "o -e/ 12 P". G!l,/e+o AHu!no /e4/+!n4 "-e pp/e-en&!on o, .e/"!n Ro+ol,o E&pno ,o/
eI0!n"!on "e&"e+ po&!"!%e ,o/ 0/!Fun, ;!"- "o"l ;e!4-" o, 6.6 4/0&.
B2 ;2 o, +e,en&e, pe"!"!one/ "-" on &!+ e%en!n4, -e ;& &leep!n4 !n -ou&e n+ ;& ;8ene+ onl2
;-en "-e pol!.e0en -n+.u#e+ -!0. He lle4e+ "-" "-e pol!.e0en ;e/e loo8!n4 ,o/ -!& 1/o"-e/$!n$l;
Lu/o, n+ ;-en "-e2 .oul+ no" Bn+ "-e l""e/, -e ;& 1/ou4-" "o "-e pol!.e &""!on ,o/ !n%e&"!4"!on n+
l"e/ !n+!."e+ ,o/ po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. H!& ;!,e '2/n .o//o1o/"e+ -!& &"o/2.
T-e "/!l .ou/" /eFe."e+ pe"!"!one/A& +e,en&e & J0e/e ,"e/"-ou4-"J n+ ,oun+ "-e %e/&!on o, "-e
p/o&e.u"!on J0o/e ./e+!1le n+ "/u&";o/"-2.J
T-u&, on Au4u&" 1>, 199?, "-e "/!l .ou/" /en+e/e+ +e.!&!on, .on%!."!n4 pe"!"!one/ o, "-e ./!0e .-/4e+,
"-e +!&po&!"!%e po/"!on o, ;-!.- /e+&5
JGHEREFORE "-e/e 1e!n4 p/oo, 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1", "-e .ou/" Bn+& "-e ..u&e+ Ro+ol,o E&pno 2
Dle/! 4u!l"2 o, "-e ./!0e o, %!ol"!on o, Se."!on 7, A/"!.le II, !n /el"!on "o Se."!on ? 9e$L: 9I: o, Repu1l!.
A." No. <>?6 & 0en+e+ 12 B"& P01n& Bl4. 179, n+ pu/&un" "o l; -e/e12 &en"en.e& -!0 "o
&u#e/ !0p/!&on0en" o, &!I 9<: 2e/& n+ one 91: +2 "o ";el%e 91?: 2e/& n+ "o p2 Bne o, P<,000.00
;!"- &u1&!+!/2 !0p/!&on0en" !n .&e o, +e,ul" plu& .o&"&.
T-e 0/!Fun !& +e.l/e+ ,o/"!Be+ !n ,%o/ o, 4o%e/n0en" n+ &-ll 1e "u/ne+ o%e/ "o "-e )n4e/ou&
)/u4& Bo/+ ;!"-ou" +el2.
SO OR)ERE).J 6
Pe"!"!one/ ppele+ "-e +e.!&!on "o "-e Cou/" o, Appel&. T-e ppell"e .ou/", -o;e%e/, E/0e+ "-e
+e.!&!on o, "-e "/!l .ou/" !n "o"o.
Hen.e, "-!& pe"!"!on.
Pe"!"!one/ .on"en+& "-" "-e "/!l n+ ppell"e .ou/"& e//e+ !n .on%!."!n4 -!0 on "-e 1&!& o, "-e
,ollo;!n45 9: "-e p!e.e& o, e%!+en.e &e!Me+ ;e/e !n+0!&&!1leL 91: "-e &upe/!o/!"2 o, -!& .on&"!"u"!onl
/!4-" "o 1e p/e&u0e+ !nno.en" o%e/ "-e +o."/!ne o, p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2L 9.: -e ;& +en!e+ "-e
.on&"!"u"!onl /!4-" o, .on,/on""!on n+ "o .o0pul&o/2 p/o.e&&L n+ 9+: -!& .on%!."!on ;& 1&e+ on
e%!+en.e ;-!.- ;& !//ele%n" n+ no" p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+.
A,"e/ ./e,ul eI0!n"!on o, "-e /e.o/+& o, "-e .&e, "-!& Cou/" Bn+& no .o0pell!n4 /e&on &uE.!en" "o
/e%e/&e "-e +e.!&!on& o, "-e "/!l n+ ppell"e .ou/"&.
F!/&", !" !& ;ell &e""le+ +o."/!ne "-" Bn+!n4& o, "/!l .ou/"& on "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, ;!"ne&&e& +e&e/%e -!4-
+e4/ee o, /e&pe.". H%!n4 o1&e/%e+ "-e +epo/"0en" o, ;!"ne&&e& +u/!n4 "-e "/!l, "-e "/!l Fu+4e !& !n
1e""e/ po&!"!on "o +e"e/0!ne "-e !&&ue o, ./e+!1!l!"2 n+, "-u&, -!& Bn+!n4& ;!ll no" 1e +!&"u/1e+ +u/!n4
ppel !n "-e 1&en.e o, n2 .le/ &-o;!n4 "-" -e -+ o%e/loo8e+, 0!&un+e/&"oo+ o/ 0!&ppl!e+ &o0e
,."& o/ .!/.u0&"n.e& o, ;e!4-" n+ &u1&"n.e ;-!.- .oul+ -%e l"e/e+ "-e .on%!."!on o, "-e ppelln"&.
<
In "-!& .&e, "-e Bn+!n4& o, "-e "/!l .ou/" "-" "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& ;e/e 0o/e ./e+!1le "-n "-o&e o,
"-e +e,en&e 0u&" &"n+. Pe"!"!one/ ,!le+ "o &-o; "-" P". P4!l4n, !n "e&"!,2!n4 4!n&" -!0, ;&
0o"!%"e+ 12 /e&on& o"-e/ "-n -!& +u"2 "o .u/1 +/u4 1u&e n+ -+ n2 !n"en" "o ,l&el2 !0pu"e "o -!0
&u.- &e/!ou& ./!0e & po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. In "-e 1&en.e o, &u.- !ll 0o"!%e, "-e p/e&u0p"!on
o, /e4ul/!"2 o, -!& oE.!l +u"2 0u&" p/e%!l.
In People %. Del&.o, 7 "-!& Cou/" /e!"e/"e+ "-e +o."/!ne o, p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2 !n "-e pe/,o/0n.e o,
oE.!l +u"2 ;-!.- p/o%!+e&5
J. . . Appelln" ,!le+ "o e&"1l!&- "-" P". Go+o2 n+ "-e o"-e/ 0e01e/& o, "-e 1u2$1u&" "e0 /e
pol!.e0en en44e+ !n 0ul."!n4 o/ o"-e/ un&./upulou& ."!%!"!e& ;-o ;-e/e 0o"!%"e+ e!"-e/ 12 "-e +e&!/e
"o eI"o/" 0one2 o/ eI." pe/&onl %en4en.e, o/ 12 &-ee/ ;-!0 n+ .p/!.e, ;-en "-e2 en"/ppe+ -e/.
An+ !n "-e 1&en.e o, p/oo, o, n2 !n"en" on "-e p/" o, "-e pol!.e u"-o/!"!e& "o ,l&el2 !0pu"e &u.-
&e/!ou& ./!0e 4!n&" ppelln", & !n "-!& .&e, "-e p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2 !n "-e pe/,o/0n.e o,
oE.!l +u"2, . . ., 0u&" p/e%!l o%e/ "-e &el,$&e/%!n4 n+ un.o//o1o/"e+ .l!0 o, ppelln" "-" &-e -+
1een ,/0e+.J 7
Fu/"-e/0o/e, "-e +e,en&e &e" up 12 pe"!"!one/ +oe& no" +e&e/%e n2 .on&!+e/"!on. He &!0pl2 .on"en+e+
"-" -e ;& !n -!& -ou&e &leep!n4 " "-e "!0e o, "-e !n.!+en". T-!& Cou/" -& .on&!&"en"l2 -el+ "-" l!1! !&
"-e ;e8e&" o, ll +e,en&e&L n+ ,o/ !" "o p/o&pe/, "-e ..u&e+ -& "-e 1u/+en o, p/o%!n4 "-" -e ;& no"
" "-e &.ene o, "-e ./!0e o, !"& .o00!&&!on n+ "-" !" ;& p-2&!.ll2 !0po&&!1le ,o/ -!0 "o 1e "-e/e.
'o/eo%e/, "-e J.l!0 o, A,/0e$upA, l!8e l!1!, !& +e,en&e "-" -& 1een !n%/!1l2 %!e;e+ 12 "-e Cou/"
;!"- +!&,%o/ ,o/ !" .n Fu&" & e&!l2 1e .on.o."e+ 1u" +!E.ul" "o p/o%e, n+ !& .o00on n+ &"n+/+
l!ne o, +e,en&e !n 0o&" p/o&e.u"!on& /!&!n4 ,/o0 %!ol"!on& o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.".J 9 No .le/ n+
.on%!n.!n4 e%!+en.e ;& p/e&en"e+ 12 pe"!"!one/ "o p/o%e -!& +e,en&e o, l!1!.
Se.on+, pe"!"!one/ .on"en+& "-" "-e p/o&e.u"!onA& ,!lu/e "o p/e&en" "-e lle4e+ !n,o/0n" !n .ou/" .&"
/e&on1le +ou1" ;-!.- ;//n"& -!& .Hu!""l. T-!& !& 4!n ;!"-ou" 0e/!", &!n.e ,!lu/e o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on
"o p/o+u.e "-e !n,o/0n" !n .ou/" !& o, no 0o0en" e&pe.!ll2 ;-en -e !& no" e%en "-e 1e&" ;!"ne&& "o
e&"1l!&- "-e ,." "-" 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on -+ !n+ee+ 1een .on+u."e+. In "-!& .&e, P". P4!l4n, one
o, "-e pol!.e0en ;-o pp/e-en+e+ pe"!"!one/, "e&"!Be+ on "-e ."ul !n.!+en" o, Jul2 1>, 1991, n+
!+en"!Be+ -!0 & "-e one "-e2 .u4-" !n po&&e&&!on o, p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. T-u&,
JGe Bn+ "-" "-e p/o&e.u"!on -+ &"!&,."o/!l2 p/o%e+ !"& .&e 4!n&" ppelln"&. T-e/e !& no .o0pell!n4
/e&on ,o/ u& "o o%e/"u/n "-e Bn+!n4 o, "-e "/!l .ou/" "-" "-e "e&"!0on2 o, S4". G01o, "-e lone ;!"ne&&
,o/ "-e p/o&e.u"!on, ;& &"/!4-",o/;/+, &pon"neou& n+ .on%!n.!n4. T-e "e&"!0on2 o, &ole ;!"ne&&, !,
./e+!1le n+ po&!"!%e n+ &"!&Be& "-e .ou/" 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1", !& &uE.!en" "o .on%!.".J 10
T-u& on "-e 1&!& o, P". P4!l4nA& "e&"!0on2, "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;& 1le "o p/o%e "-" pe"!"!one/ !n+ee+
.o00!""e+ "-e ./!0e .-/4e+L .on&eHuen"l2, "-e Bn+!n4 o, .on%!."!on ;& p/ope/.
L&"l2, "-e !&&ue on "-e +0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e 0/!Fun &e!Me+ &-oul+ l!8e;!&e 1e /ule+ upon. Rule 11=
Se."!on 69: o, "-e Rule& o, Cou/" p/o%!+e&5
JA pe.e oE.e/ o/ p/!%"e pe/&on 02, ;!"-ou" ;//n", //e&" pe/&on5
. ;-en, !n -!& p/e&en.e, "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ -& .o00!""e+, !& ."ull2 .o00!""!n4, o/ !&
""e0p"!n4 "o .o00!" n o#en&eL
III III III.J
Pe"!"!one/A& //e&" ,ll& &Hu/el2 un+e/ "-e ,o/e.!"e+ /ule. He ;& .u4-" !n C4/n"! & /e&ul" o, 1u2$
1u&" ope/"!on .on+u."e+ 12 pol!.e oE.e/& on "-e 1&!& o, !n,o/0"!on /e.e!%e+ /e4/+!n4 "-e !lle4l "/+e
o, +/u4& ;!"-!n "-e /e o, Q0o/ n+ Pn+.n S"/ee"&, 'n!l. T-e pol!.e oE.e/ &; pe"!"!one/
-n+!n4 o%e/ &o0e"-!n4 "o n lle4e+ 1u2e/. A,"e/ "-e 1u2e/ le,", "-e2 &e/.-e+ -!0 n+ +!&.o%e/e+ ";o
.ellop-ne& o, 0/!Fun. H!& //e&" ;&, "-e/e,o/e, l;,ul n+ "-e ";o .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun
&e!Me+ ;e/e +0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e, 1e!n4 "-e ,/u!"& o, "-e ./!0e.
A& ,o/ "-e "en .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun ,oun+ " pe"!"!one/A& /e&!+en.e, -o;e%e/, "-e &0e
!n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e.
T-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on 4u/n"ee& ,/ee+o0 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& un+e/ A/"!.le III,
Se."!on ? ;-!.- p/o%!+e&5
JT-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/& n+ e#e."& 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e& &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no &e/.- ;//n"
o/ ;//n" o, //e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2 12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/
eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02 p/o+u.e, n+
p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J
An eI.ep"!on "o "-e &!+ /ule !& ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&" ,o/ +n4e/ou& ;epon&
o/ n2"-!n4 ;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & p/oo, o, "-e .o00!&&!on o, n o#en&e. 11 I" 02 eI"en+ 1e2on+ "-e
pe/&on o, "-e one //e&"e+ "o !n.lu+e "-e p/e0!&e& o/ &u//oun+!n4& un+e/ -!& !00e+!"e .on"/ol. In "-!&
.&e, "-e "en .ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun &e!Me+ " pe"!"!one/A& -ou&e ,"e/ -!& //e&" " Pn+.n n+
Q0o/ S"/ee"& +o no" ,ll un+e/ "-e &!+ eI.ep"!on&.
In "-e .&e o, People %. Lu, 1? "-!& Cou/" -el+5
JA& /e4/+& "-e 1/!.8 o, 0/!Fun ,oun+ !n&!+e "-e ppelln"A& -ou&e, "-e "/!l .ou/" .o//e."l2 !4no/e+ !"
pp/en"l2 !n %!e; o, !"& !n+0!&&!1!l!"2. G-!le !n!"!ll2 "-e //e&" & ;ell & "-e 1o+2 &e/.- ;& l;,ul, "-e
;//n"le&& &e/.- 0+e !n&!+e "-e ppelln"A& -ou&e 1e.0e unl;,ul &!n.e "-e pol!.e ope/"!%e& ;e/e
no" /0e+ ;!"- &e/.- ;//n". Su.- &e/.- .nno" ,ll un+e/ J&e/.- 0+e !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul
//e&",J "-e &0e 1e!n4 l!0!"e+ "o 1o+2 &e/.- n+ "o "-" po!n" ;!"-!n /e.- o/ .on"/ol o, "-e pe/&on
//e&"e+, o/ "-" ;-!.- 02 ,u/n!&- -!0 ;!"- "-e 0en& o, .o00!""!n4 %!olen.e o/ o, e&.p!n4. In "-e .&e
" 1/, ppelln" ;& +0!""e+l2 ou"&!+e -!& -ou&e ;-en -e ;& //e&"e+. Hen.e, !" .n -/+l2 1e &!+
"-" "-e !nne/ po/"!on o, -!& -ou&e ;& ;!"-!n -!& /e.- o/ .on"/ol.J
T-e /"!.le& &e!Me+ ,/o0 pe"!"!one/ +u/!n4 -!& //e&" ;e/e %l!+ un+e/ "-e +o."/!ne o, &e/.- 0+e
!n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&". T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- 0+e !n -!& -ou&e, -o;e%e/, ;-!.- 2!el+e+ "en
.ellop-ne 14& o, 0/!Fun 1e.0e unl;,ul &!n.e "-e pol!.e oE.e/& ;e/e no" /0e+ ;!"- &e/.-
;//n" " "-e "!0e. 'o/eo%e/, !" ;& 1e2on+ "-e /e.- n+ .on"/ol o, pe"!"!one/.
In &u0, "-!& Cou/" Bn+& pe"!"!one/ Ro+ol,o E&pno 4u!l"2 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, %!ol"!n4 A/"!.le II,
Se."!on 7, !n /el"!on "o Se."!on ? 9e$L: 9I: o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+. @n+e/ "-e &!+ p/o%!&!on,
"-e penl"2 !0po&e+ !& &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o ";el%e 2e/& n+ Bne /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I "-ou&n+ "o
";el%e "-ou&n+& pe&o&. G!"- "-e p&&4e o, Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69, ;!"- "oo8 e#e." on )e.e01e/ =1,
199=, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 &-ll no; +epen+ on "-e Hun"!"2 o, +/u4& /e.o%e/e+. @n+e/ "-e p/o%!&!on& o,
Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69, Se."!on ?0, n+ & !n"e/p/e"e+ !n People %. S!0on 1= n+ People %. L/, 1> !, "-e
Hun"!"2 o, 0/!Fun !n%ol%e+ !& le&& "-n 760 4/0&, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 /n4e& ,/o0 p/!&!on
.o//e..!onl "o /e.lu&!on "e0po/l. T8!n4 !n"o .on&!+e/"!on "-" pe"!"!one/ !& no" -1!"ul +el!nHuen",
"-e 0en+"o/2 p/o%!&!on !& ,%o/1le "o -!0 n+ "-e Hun"!"2 o, 0/!Fun !n%ol%e+ !& le&& "-n 760
4/0&, "-e penl"2 !0po&e+ un+e/ Repu1l!. A." No. 7<69 &-oul+ 1e ppl!e+. T-e/e 1e!n4 no 0!"!4"!n4 no/
44/%"!n4 .!/.u0&"n.e&, "-e !0po&1le penl"2 &-ll 1e p/!&!on .o//e..!onl !n !"& 0e+!u0 pe/!o+.
Appl2!n4 "-e In+e"e/0!n"e Sen"en.e L;, "-e 0I!0u0 penl"2 &-ll 1e "8en ,/o0 "-e 0e+!u0 pe/!o+
o, p/!&!on .o//e..!onl, ;-!.- !& ";o 9?: 2e/&, ,ou/ 9>: 0on"-& n+ one 91: +2 "o ,ou/ 9>: 2e/& n+ ";o
9?: 0on"-&, ;-!le "-e 0!n!0u0 &-ll 1e "8en ,/o0 "-e penl"2 neI" lo;e/ !n +e4/ee, ;-!.- !& one 91:
0on"- n+ one 91: +2 &!I 9<: 0on"-& o, //e&"o 02o/.
GHEREFORE, "-e !n&"n" pe"!"!on !& -e/e12 )ENIE). T-e +e.!&!on o, "-e Cou/" o, Appel& !n C.A.$G.R. CR
No. 1=97< +"e+ Jnu/2 1<, 1996 !& AFFIR'E) ;!"- "-e 'O)IFICATION "-" pe"!"!one/ Ro+ol,o E&pno !&
&en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ n !n+e"e/0!n"e penl"2 o, TGO 9?: 0on"-& n+ ONE 91: +2 o, //e&"o 02o/, &
0!n!0u0 o, TGO 9?: 2e/&, FO@R 9>: 0on"-& n+ ONE 91: +2 o, p/!&!on .o//e..!onl, & 0!n!0u0.
SO OR)ERE).
N/%&, C .J ., (punn n+ Pu/!&!0, JJ ., .on.u/. A! THIR) )IDISION
[G.R. No. 1=<7<0. Jnu/2 ?0, ?00=.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, pl!n"!#$ppellee, %&. AGPANGA LIBNAO 2 (ITTEN n+ ROSITA N@NGA 2
DALENCIA, ..u&e+.
AGPANGA LIBNAO 2 (ITTEN, ..u&e+$ppelln".
T-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l ,o/ pl!n"!#$ppellee.
'ol!n"& 3 'ol!n"& L; OE.e ,o/ ..u&e+$ppelln".
SKNOPSIS
T-!& !& n ppel ,/o0 "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" o, T/l. C!"2 Bn+!n4 ppelln" n+ -e/ .o$
..u&e+ 4u!l"2 o, %!ol"!n4 A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, R.A. No. <>?6, o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4&
A." o, 197?. Fo/ "-e!/ .on%!."!on, e.- ;& &en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ n !0p/!&on0en" o, /e.lu&!on pe/pe"u.
T-e ppelln" /4ue+ "-" -e/ //e&" ;& unl;,ul n+ .p!"l!Me+ on "-e 1&en.e o, ;//n" ,o/ -e/
//e&". S-e .on"en+e+ "-" " "-e "!0e &-e ;& pp/e-en+e+ 12 "-e pol!.e oE.e/&, &-e ;& no"
.o00!""!n4 n2 o#en&e 1u" ;& 0e/el2 /!+!n4 "/!.2.le. S-e l&o !0pu4ne+ "-e &e/.- 0+e on -e/
1elon4!n4& & !lle4l & !" ;& no" +one ;!"-ou" %l!+ ;//n" o/ un+e/ .!/.u0&"n.e& ;-en ;//n"le&&
&e/.- !& pe/0!&&!1le. Con&eHuen"l2, &-e .l!0e+ "-" "-e e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ "-e/e!n ;e/e !n+0!&&!1le
4!n&" -e/. H)ITCS
T-e Sup/e0e Cou/" E/0e+ "-e .on%!."!on o, "-e ppelln". A..o/+!n4 "o "-e Cou/", "-e 4ene/l /ule !&
"-" &e/.- 02 1e .on+u."e+ 12 l; en,o/.e/& onl2 on "-e &"/en4"- o, &e/.- ;//n" %l!+l2 !&&ue+
12 Fu+4e & p/o%!+e+ !n "-e Con&"!"u"!on. Ho;e%e/, "-e .on&"!"u"!onl 4u/n"ee !& no" 1ln8e"
p/o-!1!"!on 4!n&" ll &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n "-!& .&e !& no" 1e/e," o,
p/o11le .u&e. I" ;& l&o .le/ "-" " "-e "!0e &-e ;& pp/e-en+e+, &-e ;& .o00!""!n4 ./!0!nl
o#en&e, "/n&po/"!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4&. A4!n&" "-e ./e+!1le po&!"!%e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on
;!"ne&&e&, ppelln"A& +e,en&e o, +en!l n+ l!1! .oul+ no" &"n+. .HCAS
SKLLAB@S
1. CONSTIT@TIONAL LAGL BILL OF RIGHTSL SEARCHES AN) SEIQ@RESL @NREASONABLE @NLESS
A@THORIQE) BK A DALI)LK ISS@E) SEARCH GARRANT OR GARRANT OF ARREST, AS A R@LE. N T-e
4ene/l /ule !& "-" &e/.- 02 1e .on+u."e+ 12 l; en,o/.e/& onl2 on "-e &"/en4"- o, &e/.- ;//n"
%l!+l2 !&&ue+ 12 Fu+4e & p/o%!+e+ !n A/"!.le III, Se."!on ? o, "-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on, "-u&5 JT-e /!4-" o,
"-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/& n+ e#e."& 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+
&e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no &e/.- ;//n" n+ ;//n" o,
//e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2 12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/ eI0!n"!on
un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02 p/o+u.e, n+ p/"!.ul/l2
+e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J T-e .on&"!"u"!onl 4u/n"ee
!& no" 1ln8e" p/o-!1!"!on 4!n&" ll &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& & !" ope/"e& onl2 4!n&" Jun/e&on1leJ
&e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. Se/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& /e & /ule un/e&on1le unle&& u"-o/!Me+ 12 %l!+l2
!&&ue+ &e/.- ;//n" o/ ;//n" o, //e&". T-u&, "-e ,un+0en"l p/o"e."!on ..o/+e+ 12 "-e &e/.- n+
&e!Mu/e .lu&e !& "-" 1e";een pe/&on& n+ pol!.e 0u&" &"n+ "-e p/o"e."!%e u"-o/!"2 o, 04!&"/"e
.lo"-e+ ;!"- po;e/ "o !&&ue o/ /e,u&e "o !&&ue &e/.- ;//n"& n+ ;//n"& o, //e&". HIACE
?. I).L I).L I).L I).L SEARCH AN) SEIQ@RE OF 'ODING DEHICLE AS AN ESCEPTIONL RATIONALE. N Be
"-" & !" 02, "-e /eHu!/e0en" "-" Fu+!.!l ;//n" 0u&" 1e o1"!ne+ p/!o/ "o "-e .//2!n4 ou" o,
&e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e !& no" 1&olu"e. T-e/e /e .e/"!n ,0!l!/ eI.ep"!on& "o "-e /ule, one o, ;-!.- /el"e&
"o &e/.- o, 0o%!n4 %e-!.le&. G//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e o, 0o%!n4 %e-!.le& /e llo;e+ !n
/e.o4n!"!on o, "-e !0p/."!.1!l!"2 o, &e.u/!n4 ;//n" un+e/ &!+ .!/.u0&"n.e& & "-e %e-!.le .n 1e
Hu!.8l2 0o%e+ ou" o, "-e lo.l!"2 o/ Fu/!&+!."!on !n ;-!.- "-e ;//n" 02 1e &ou4-". Pe.e oE.e/& !n &u.-
.&e&, -o;e%e/, /e l!0!"e+ "o /ou"!ne .-e.8& ;-e/e "-e eI0!n"!on o, "-e %e-!.le !& l!0!"e+ "o %!&ul
!n&pe."!on. G-en %e-!.le !& &"oppe+ n+ &u1Fe."e+ "o n eI"en&!%e &e/.-, &u.- ;oul+ 1e
.on&"!"u"!onll2 pe/0!&&!1le onl2 !, "-e oE.e/& 0+e !" upon p/o11le .u&e, !.e., upon 1el!e,, /e&on1l2
/!&!n4 ou" o, .!/.u0&"n.e& 8no;n "o "-e &e!M!n4 oE.e/, "-" n u"o0o1!le o/ o"-e/ %e-!.le .on"!n& &
!"e0, /"!.le o/ o1Fe." ;-!.- 12 l; !& &u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e n+ +e&"/u."!on.
=. I).L I).L I).L I).L I).L PRESENT IN CASE AT BAR. N T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n "-e .&e " 1en.- !&
no" 1e/e," o, p/o11le .u&e. T-e T/l. Pol!.e In"ell!4en.e )!%!&!on -+ 1een .on+u."!n4 &u/%e!lln.e
ope/"!on ,o/ "-/ee 0on"-& !n "-e /e. T-e &u/%e!lln.e 2!el+e+ "-e !n,o/0"!on "-" on.e 0on"-,
ppelln" n+ -e/ .o$..u&e+ Ro&!" Nun4 "/n&po/" +/u4& !n 1!4 1ul8&. A" 10500 p0 o, O."o1e/ 19, 199<,
"-e pol!.e /e.e!%e+ "!p "-" "-e ";o ;!ll 1e "/n&po/"!n4 +/u4& "-" n!4-" /!+!n4 "/!.2.le. Su/el2, "-e ";o
;e/e !n"e/.ep"e+ "-/ee -ou/& l"e/, /!+!n4 "/!.2.le n+ .//2!n4 &u&p!.!ou&$loo8!n4 1l.8 14, ;-!.-
po&&!1l2 .on"!ne+ "-e +/u4& !n 1ul8. G-en "-e2 ;e/e &8e+ ;-o o;ne+ !" n+ ;-" !"& .on"en" ;&, 1o"-
1e.0e une&2. @n+e/ "-e&e .!/.u0&"n.e&, "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e o, ppelln"A& 14 ;&
no" !lle4l. I" !& l&o .le/ "-" " "-e "!0e &-e ;& pp/e-en+e+, &-e ;& .o00!""!n4 ./!0!nl o#en&e.
S-e ;& 08!n4 +el!%e/2 o/ "/n&po/"!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, R.A. No.
<>?6. @n+e/ "-e Rule& o, Cou/", one o, "-e !n&"n.e& pol!.e oE.e/ !& pe/0!""e+ "o .//2 ou"
;//n"le&& //e&" !& ;-en "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ !& .u4-" .o00!""!n4 ./!0e !n C4/n"e +el!."o.
).THE
>. RE'E)IAL LAGL EDI)ENCEL GHEN PRESENTATION THEREOF EDEN GITHO@T FOR'AL OFFER 'AK
ESTABLISH THE PROSEC@TIONAS CASEL CASE AT BAR. N E%!+en.e no" ,o/0ll2 o#e/e+ .n 1e .on&!+e/e+
12 "-e .ou/" & lon4 & "-e2 -%e 1een p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+ 12 "e&"!0on2 +ul2 /e.o/+e+ n+ "-e2 -%e
"-e0&el%e&, 1een !n.o/po/"e+ !n "-e /e.o/+& o, "-e .&e. All "-e +o.u0en"/2 n+ o1Fe." e%!+en.e !n "-!&
.&e ;e/e p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+, p/e&en"e+ n+ 0/8e+ & eI-!1!"& !n .ou/", !n.lu+!n4 "-e 1/!.8& o,
0/!Fun. E%en ;!"-ou" "-e!/ ,o/0l o#e/, "-e/e,o/e, "-e p/o&e.u"!on .n &"!ll e&"1l!&- "-e .&e 1e.u&e
;!"ne&&e& p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+ "-o&e eI-!1!"&, n+ "-e!/ "e&"!0on!e& /e /e.o/+e+. Fu/"-e/0o/e, ppelln"A&
.oun&el -+ ./o&&$eI0!ne+ "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& ;-o "e&"!Be+ on "-e eI-!1!"&.
6. I).L I).L CRE)IBILITK OF GITNESSESL NOT AFFECTE) BK INCONSISTENCIES ON 'INOR )ETAILSL
APPLICATION IN CASE AT BAR. N T-e lle4e+ !n.on&!&"en.!e& &-e 0en"!on& /e,e/ onl2 "o 0!no/ +e"!l& n+
no" "o 0"e/!l po!n"& /e4/+!n4 "-e 1&!. ele0en"& o, "-e ./!0e. T-e2 /e !n.on&eHuen"!l "-" "-e2 +o
no" #e." "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, "-e ;!"ne&&e& no/ +e"/." ,/o0 "-e e&"1l!&-e+ ,." "-" ppelln" n+ -e/ .o$
..u&e+ ;e/e "/n&po/"!n4 0/!Fun. Te&"!0on!e& o, ;!"ne&&e& nee+ onl2 .o//o1o/"e e.- o"-e/ on
!0po/"n" n+ /ele%n" +e"!l& .on.e/n!n4 "-e p/!n.!pl o..u//en.e. T-e !+en"!"2 o, "-e pe/&on ;-o
opene+ "-e 14 !& .le/l2 !00"e/!l "o "-e 4u!l" o, "-e ppelln". Be&!+e&, !" !& "o 1e eIpe."e+ "-" "-e
"e&"!0on2 o, ;!"ne&&e& /e4/+!n4 "-e &0e !n.!+en" 02 1e !n.on&!&"en" !n &o0e &pe."& 1e.u&e
+!#e/en" pe/&on& 02 -%e +!#e/en" /e.olle."!on& o, "-e &0e !n.!+en".
<. I).L I).L I).L CRE)ENCE 'AK BE PROPERLK ACCOR)E) TO TESTI'ONIES OF POLICE OFFICERS
GHO ESHIBITE) NO I'PROPER 'OTIDE TO ARREST THE APPELLANT. N To 1e &u/e, ./e+en.e ;& p/ope/l2
..o/+e+ "o "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e&, ;-o /e l; en,o/.e/&. G-en pol!.e oE.e/& -%e no
0o"!%e "o "e&"!,2 ,l&el2 4!n&" "-e ..u&e+, .ou/"& /e !n.l!ne+ "o up-ol+ "-!& p/e&u0p"!on. In "-!& .&e,
no e%!+en.e -& 1een p/e&en"e+ "o &u44e&" n2 !0p/ope/ 0o"!%e on "-e p/" o, "-e pol!.e en,o/.e/& !n
""e&"!n4 "-e ppelln". ATSIE)
7. I).L I).L )ENIAL AN) ALIBI, AS )EFENSEL CANNOT STAN) AGAINST CRE)IBLE POSITIDE
TESTI'ONIES OF THE PROSEC@TION GITNESS. N A4!n&" "-e ./e+!1le po&!"!%e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e
p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e&, ppelln"A& +e,en&e o, +en!l n+ l!1! .nno" &"n+. T-e +e,en&e o, +en!l n+
l!1! -& 1een !n%/!1l2 %!e;e+ 12 "-e .ou/"& ;!"- +!&,%o/ ,o/ !" .n Fu&" & e&!l2 1e .on.o."e+ n+ !&
.o00on n+ &"n+/+ +e,en&e plo2 !n 0o&" .&e& !n%ol%!n4 %!ol"!on o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.". I" -&
"o 1e &u1&"n"!"e+ 12 .le/ n+ .on%!n.!n4 e%!+en.e. T-e &ole p/oo, p/e&en"e+ !n "-e lo;e/ .ou/" 12 "-e
ppelln" "o &uppo/" -e/ .l!0 o, +en!l n+ l!1! ;& &;o/n &""e0en", ;-!.- ;& no" e%en E/0e+ on
"-e ;!"ne&& &"n+ 12 "-e En".
) E C I S I O N
P@NO, J p5
Be,o/e u& !& n ppel ,/o0 "-e )e.!&!on +"e+ No%e01e/ 19, 1997 o, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/", B/n.- <6,
T/l. C!"2, Bn+!n4 ppelln" A4pn4 L!1no n+ -e/ .o$..u&e+ Ro&!" Nun4 4u!l"2 o, %!ol"!n4 A/"!.le
II, Se."!on > o, R.A. No. <>?6, o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197?. 1 Fo/ "-e!/ .on%!."!on,
e.- ;& &en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ n !0p/!&on0en" o, /e.lu&!on pe/pe"u n+ "o p2 Bne o, ";o 0!ll!on
pe&o&. ISCHET
Appelln" n+ -e/ .o$..u&e+ ;e/e .-/4e+ un+e/ "-e ,ollo;!n4 In,o/0"!on5
JT-" on o/ 1ou" O."o1e/ ?0, 199< " /oun+ 1500 oA.lo.8 +;n, !n "-e 'un!.!pl!"2 o, T/l., P/o%!n.e o,
T/l., P-!l!pp!ne&, n+ ;!"-!n "-e Fu/!&+!."!on o, "-!& Hono/1le Cou/", "-e 1o%e$n0e+ ..u&e+
.on&p!/!n4, .on,e+e/"!n4 n+ -elp!n4 ;!"- one no"-e/, ;!"-ou" 1e!n4 l;,ull2 u"-o/!Me+, +!+ "-en n+
"-e/e ;!ll,ull2, unl;,ull2 n+ ,elon!ou&l2 08e +el!%e/2T"/n&po/" ;!"- !n"en" "o &ell 0/!Fun le%e&
;/ppe+ !n "/n&p/en" pl&"!. ;e!4-!n4 pp/oI!0"el2 e!4-" 97: 8!lo&, ;-!.- !& !n %!ol"!on o, Se."!on >,
A/"!.le II o, RA <>?6, o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197?, & 0en+e+.
CONTRARK TO LAG.J ?
)u/!n4 "-e!/ //!4n0en", 1o"- en"e/e+ ple o, No" Gu!l"2. T/!l on "-e 0e/!"& en&ue+.
I" ppe/& ,/o0 "-e e%!+en.e ++u.e+ 12 "-e p/o&e.u"!on "-" !n Au4u&" o, 199<, !n"ell!4en.e ope/"!%e&
o, "-e P-!l!pp!ne N"!onl Pol!.e 9PNP: &""!one+ !n T/l., T/l. 1e4n .on+u."!n4 &u/%e!lln.e ope/"!on
on &u&pe."e+ +/u4 +ele/& !n "-e /e. T-e2 le/ne+ ,/o0 "-e!/ &&e" "-" .e/"!n ;o0n ,/o0 TF!/!,
T/l. n+ .o0pn!on ,/o0 B4u!o C!"2 ;e/e "/n&po/"!n4 !lle4l +/u4& on.e 0on"- !n 1!4 1ul8&.
On O."o1e/ 19, 199<, " 1ou" 10 oA.lo.8 !n "-e e%en!n4, C-!e, In&pe."o/ BenF0!n A/.eo, T/l. Pol!.e
C-!e,, -el+ 1/!eBn4 !n .onne."!on ;!"- "!p ;-!.- -!& oE.e /e.e!%e+ "-" "-e ";o +/u4 pu&-e/&, /!+!n4 !n
"/!.2.le, ;oul+ 1e 08!n4 +el!%e/2 "-" n!4-". An -ou/ l"e/, "-e Pol!.e Ale/" Te0 !n&"lle+
.-e.8po!n" !n B/n42 Slpun4n "o pp/e-en+ "-e &u&pe."&. G!"ne&& SPO1 '/lon G0o"e, PO=
Flo/n"e Fe//e/ n+ SPO= Ro1e/"o AHu!no ;e/e &&!4ne+ "o 0n "-e .-e.8po!n".
A" 1ou" 1500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e 0o/n!n4 o, "-e ,ollo;!n4 +2, SPO1 G0o"e n+ PO= Fe//e/ C44e+ +o;n
p&&!n4 "/!.2.le. I" -+ ";o ,e0le p&&en4e/& &e"e+ !n&!+e, ;-o ;e/e l"e/ !+en"!Be+ & "-e ppelln"
A4pn4 L!1no n+ -e/ .o$..u&e+ Ro&!" Nun4. = In ,/on" o, "-e0 ;& 1l.8 14. Su&p!.!ou& o, "-e
1l.8 14 n+ "-e ";oA& une&2 1e-%!o/ ;-en &8e+ 1ou" !"& o;ne/&-!p n+ .on"en", "-e oE.e/& !n%!"e+
"-e0 "o (12n Cen"e/ No. ? lo."e+ " "-e &0e 1/n42. T-e2 1/ou4-" ;!"- "-e0 "-e 1l.8 14.
@pon /e.-!n4 "-e .en"e/, PO= Fe//e/ ,e".-e+ B/n42 Cp"!n Ro2 P&.ul "o ;!"ne&& "-e open!n4 o, "-e
1l.8 14. In "-e 0en"!0e, "-e ";o ;o0en n+ "-e 14 ;e/e "u/ne+ o%e/ "o "-e !n%e&"!4"o/ on +u"2,
SPO= A/"-u/ An"on!o. A& &oon & "-e 1/n42 .p"!n //!%e+, "-e 1l.8 14 ;& opene+ !n "-e p/e&en.e
o, "-e ppelln", -e/ .o$..u&e+ n+ pe/&onnel o, "-e .en"e/. Foun+ !n&!+e !" ;e/e e!4-" 1/!.8& o, le%e&
&ele+ !n pl&"!. 14& n+ .o%e/e+ ;!"- ne;&ppe/. T-e le%e& ;e/e &u&pe."e+ "o 1e 0/!Fun.
To +e"e/0!ne ;-o o;n& "-e 14 n+ !"& .on"en"&, SPO= An"on!o !n"e//o4"e+ "-e ";o. Ro&!" Nun4 &""e+
"-" !" ;& o;ne+ 12 "-e ppelln". T-e l""e/, !n "u/n, +!&pu"e+ "-!& lle4"!on. T-e/e,"e/, "-e2 ;e/e
0+e "o &!4n .onB&."!on /e.e!p" ;!"-ou" "-e &&!&"n.e o, n2 .oun&el, & "-e2 ;e/e no" !n,o/0e+ o,
"-e!/ /!4-" "o -%e one. )u/!n4 "-e .ou/&e o, "-e !n%e&"!4"!on, no" e%en .lo&e /el"!%e& o, "-e!/& ;e/e
p/e&en". HI)CTA
T-e &e!Me+ /"!.le& ;e/e l"e/ 1/ou4-" "o "-e PNP C/!0e L1o/"o/2 !n Sn Fe/nn+o, P0pn4 on
O."o1e/ ?=, 199<. Fo/en&!. C-e0!&" )!&2 P. B1u .on+u."e+ l1o/"o/2 eI0!n"!on on "-e0. S-e
.on.lu+e+ "-" "-e /"!.le& ;e/e 0/!Fun le%e& ;e!4-!n4 e!4-" 8!lo&. >
Fo/ "-e!/ p/", 1o"- ..u&e+ +en!e+ "-e ..u&"!on 4!n&" "-e0. Ro&!" Nun4 "e&"!Be+ "-" !n "-e
e%en!n4 o, O."o1e/ 19, 199<, &-e ;en" "o 1u2 0e+!.!ne ,o/ -e/ !l!n4 .-!l+ " p-/0.2 ne/ "-e T/l.
P/o%!n.!l Ho&p!"l. T-e .-!l+ ;& &u#e/!n4 ,/o0 +!//-e, o..&!one+ 12 1+o0!nl p!n. To /e"u/n "o "-e!/
-ou&e, &-e 1o/+e+ "/!.2.le 1oun+ ,o/ B/n42 T/!F!, ;-e/e &-e /e&!+e&. Alon4 "-e ;2, "-e "/!.2.le &-e
;& /!+!n4 ;& C44e+ +o;n 12 pol!.e0n " .-e.8po!n" !n B/n42 Slpun4n. S-e ;& "8en
1.8 ;-en "-e oE.e/ !n%!"e+ -e/ "o "-e (12n Cen"e/. I" ;& "-e/e "-" &-e ;& .on,/on"e+ ;!"- "-e
1l.8 14 lle4e+l2 .on"!n!n4 e!4-" 1/!.8& o, 0/!Fun le%e&. S-e +!&pu"e+ o;n!n4 "-e 14 n+
8no;!n4 !"& .on"en"&. S-e l&o +en!e+ &!""!n4 1e&!+e "-e ppelln" !n "-e p&&en4e/A& &e" !n&!+e "-e
"/!.2.le, l"-ou4- &-e +0!""e+ no"!.!n4 0le p&&en4e/ 1e-!n+ "-e +/!%e/.
Re0/81l2, ppelln" +!+ no" ppe/ !n .ou/" n+ ;& onl2 /ep/e&en"e+ 12 -e/ l;2e/. T-e l""e/ 0/8e+
n+ &u10!""e+ !n e%!+en.e n E+%!" eIe.u"e+ 12 one E,/en Gnno+, &e.u/!"2 4u/+ o, P-!l!pp!ne
R11!" Bu& L!ne& !n T/l., T/l.. T-e &;o/n &""e0en" +e.l/e+ "-" " 1ou" 0??0H on O."o1e/ ?0,
199<, SPO? An"on!o //!%e+ " "-e!/ "e/0!nl n+ //e&"e+ .e/"!n ;o0n ;-o 1o/+e+ "-e!/ Bu& No.
97=. T-e !n.!+en" ;& /e.o/+e+ !n "-e .o0pn2A& lo41oo8. Gnno+, -o;e%e/, ;& no" p/e&en"e+ !n .ou/"
"o ""e&" "-" "-e ;o0n /e,e//e+ !n -!& E+%!" ;& "-e ppelln".
A,"e/ "/!l, "-e .ou/" .on%!."e+ ppelln" n+ -e/ .o$..u&e+ Ro&!" Nun4, "-u&5
JGHEREFORE, Bn+!n4 1o"- ..u&e+ 4u!l"2 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, "-e o#en&e o, %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II,
Se."!on > o, RA <>?6 !n /el"!on "o RA 7<69, "-e2 /e -e/e12 &en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ n !0p/!&on0en" o,
/e.lu&!on pe/pe"u n+ "o p2 Bne o, ";o 0!ll!on pe&o&.
SO OR)ERE).J 6
A44/!e%e+ 12 "-e %e/+!.", ppelln" !n"e/po&e+ "-e p/e&en" ppel. In -e/ 1/!e,, &-e &&!4ne+ "-e ,ollo;!n4
e//o/&5
J1. T-e Hono/1le Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" ,!le+ "o pp/e.!"e "-e .on"en"!on o, "-e +e,en&e "-" "-e
/!4-" o, ..u&e+ 4!n&" !lle4l n+ un;//n"e+ //e&" n+ &e/.- ;& %!ol"e+ 12 "-e pol!.e oE.e/& ;-o
//e&"e+ 1o"- ..u&e+.
?. T-e Hono/1le Cou/" ,!le+ "o pp/e.!"e "-e .on"en"!on o, "-e +e,en&e "-" "-e /!4-" o, "-e
..u&e+ "o .u&"o+!l !n%e&"!4"!on ;& +el!1e/"el2 %!ol"e+ 12 "-e pe.e oE.e/& ;-o pp/e-en+e+ n+
!n%e&"!4"e+ "-e ..u&e+.
=. T-e Hono/1le Cou/" 0!&e/1l2 ,!le+ "o e%lu"e "-e 0"e/!l !n.on&!&"en.!e& !n "-e "e&"!0on!e&
o, "-e p/o&e.u"!onA& ;!"ne&&e& ;-!.- !n.on&!&"en.!e& .&" +ou1" n+ 08e !n./e+!1le "-e .on"en"!on n+
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+o.u0en"/2 n+ o1Fe." e%!+en.e o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on no" ,o/0ll2 o#e/e+ 0oun"!n4 "o !4no/n.e o, "-e
l;.J <
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S-e .on"en+& "-" " "-e "!0e &-e ;& pp/e-en+e+ 12 "-e pol!.e oE.e/&, &-e ;& no" .o00!""!n4 n2
o#en&e 1u" ;& 0e/el2 /!+!n4 "/!.2.le. In "-e &0e 0nne/, &-e !0pu4n& "-e &e/.- 0+e on -e/
1elon4!n4& & !lle4l & !" ;& +one ;!"-ou" %l!+ ;//n" o/ un+e/ .!/.u0&"n.e& ;-en ;//n"le&&
&e/.- !& pe/0!&&!1le. Con&eHuen"l2, n2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ "-e/e!n !& !n+0!&&!1le 4!n&" -e/.
T-e&e /4u0en"& ,!l "o !0p/e&&. T-e 4ene/l /ule !& "-" &e/.- 02 1e .on+u."e+ 12 l; en,o/.e/&
onl2 on "-e &"/en4"- o, &e/.- ;//n" %l!+l2 !&&ue+ 12 Fu+4e & p/o%!+e+ !n A/"!.le III, Se."!on ? o,
"-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on, "-u&5
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,"e/ eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02 p/o+u.e, n+
p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J 7
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onl2 4!n&" Jun/e&on1leJ &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. Se/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& /e & /ule un/e&on1le
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p/o"e."!on ..o/+e+ 12 "-e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e .lu&e !& "-" 1e";een pe/&on& n+ pol!.e 0u&" &"n+ "-e
p/o"e."!%e u"-o/!"2 o, 04!&"/"e .lo"-e+ ;!"- po;e/ "o !&&ue o/ /e,u&e "o !&&ue &e/.- ;//n"& n+
;//n"& o, //e&". 7
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.on&"!"u"!onll2 pe/0!&&!1le onl2 !, "-e oE.e/& 0+e !" upon p/o11le .u&e, !.e., upon 1el!e,, /e&on1l2
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.!/.u0&"n.e&, "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e o, ppelln"A& 14 ;& no" !lle4l. ESCAH
I" !& l&o .le/ "-" " "-e "!0e &-e ;& pp/e-en+e+, &-e ;& .o00!""!n4 ./!0!nl o#en&e. S-e ;&
08!n4 +el!%e/2 o/ "/n&po/"!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& !n %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, R.A. No. <>?6.
@n+e/ "-e Rule& o, Cou/", one o, "-e !n&"n.e& pol!.e oE.e/ !& pe/0!""e+ "o .//2 ou" ;//n"le&&
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9.: G-en "-e pe/&on "o 1e //e&"e+ !& p/!&one/ ;-o -& e&.pe+ ,/o0 penl e&"1l!&-0en" o/
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-%e 1een p/ope/l2 !+en"!Be+ 12 "e&"!0on2 +ul2 /e.o/+e+ n+ "-e2 -%e "-e0&el%e& 1een !n.o/po/"e+ !n
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+!#e/en" pe/&on& 02 -%e +!#e/en" /e.olle."!on& o, "-e &0e !n.!+en". ?7
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,o/ !" .n Fu&" & e&!l2 1e .on.o."e+ n+ !& .o00on n+ &"n+/+ +e,en&e plo2 !n 0o&" .&e& !n%ol%!n4
%!ol"!on o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A.". =0 I" -& "o 1e &u1&"n"!"e+ 12 .le/ n+ .on%!n.!n4 e%!+en.e. =1
T-e &ole p/oo, p/e&en"e+ !n "-e lo;e/ .ou/" 12 "-e ppelln" "o &uppo/" -e/ .l!0 o, +en!l n+ l!1! ;&
&;o/n &""e0en", ;-!.- ;& no" e%en E/0e+ on "-e ;!"ne&& &"n+ 12 "-e En". Hen.e, ;e /eFe." -e/
+e,en&e.
IN DIEG GHEREOF, "-e !n&"n" ppel !& )ENIE). T-e +e.!&!on o, "-e "/!l .ou/" Bn+!n4 ppelln" 4u!l"2
1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, "-e o#en&e o, %!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, R.A. No. <>?6 !n /el"!on "o
R.A. No. 7<69, n+ &en"en.!n4 -e/ "o n !0p/!&on0en" o, /e.lu&!on pe/pe"u n+ "o p2 Bne o, ";o
0!ll!on pe&o& !& -e/e12 AFFIR'E). E.AT)H
SO OR)ERE).
[G.R. No. 9<177. Jnu/2 ?7, 199=.]
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, pl!n"!#$ppellee, %&. 'ARI '@SA 2 HANTATAL@, ..u&e+$ppelln".
T-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l ,o/ pl!n"!#$ppellee.
P1lo L. 'u/!llo ,o/ ..u&e+$ppelln".
SKLLAB@S
1. CRI'INAL LAGL )ANGERO@S )R@GS ACT 9R.A. <>?6:L ILLEGAL SALE OF 'ARIJ@ANA )R@GSL
FA'ILIARITK BETGEEN B@KER AN) SELLER, NOT 'ATERIAL. N T-e .on"en"!on "-" "-e ppelln" .oul+ no"
-%e "/n&."e+ ;!"- S4". An! 1e.u&e "-e2 +o no" 8no; e.- o"-e/ !& ;!"-ou" 0e/!". T-e +2 1e,o/e "-e
1u2$1u&" ope/"!on, S4". An! .on+u."e+ "e&"$1u2 n+ -e &u..e&&,ull2 1ou4-" ;/ppe/ o, 0/!Fun
,/o0 "-e ppelln". T-/ou4- "-!& p/e%!ou& "/n&."!on, S4". An! ;& 1le "o 4!n "-e ppelln"A& .onB+en.e
,o/ "-e l""e/ "o &ell 0o/e 0/!Fun "o S4". An! "-e ,ollo;!n4 +2, +u/!n4 "-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on.
'o/eo%e/, "-e Cou/" -& -el+ "-" ;-" 0""e/& !& no" n eI!&"!n4 ,0!l!/!"2 1e";een "-e 1u2e/ n+ "-e
&elle/, ,o/ Hu!"e o,"en, "-e p/"!e& "o "-e "/n&."!on 02 1e &"/n4e/&, 1u" "-e!/ 4/ee0en" n+ "-e ."&
.on&"!"u"!n4 "-e &le n+ +el!%e/2 o, "-e 0/!Fun.
?. I).L I).L I).L PRESENCE OF OTHER PEOPLE, NOT CR@CIAL. N T-e ppelln", 4!n "o .&" +ou1"
on "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, S4". An!, /4ue& "-" !" ;& !0po&&!1le ,o/ "-e ppelln" "o &ell 0/!Fun ;-!le -!&
;!,e, .ou&!n n+ 0n!.u/!&" ;e/e p/e&en". Bu" "-e pl.e o, "-e .o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e o, &ell!n4
p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& -& 1een -el+ "o 1e no" ./u.!l n+ "-e p/e&en.e o, o"-e/ people p/" ,/o0 "-e 1u2e/
n+ &elle/ ;!ll no" ne.e&&/!l2 p/e%en" "-e .on&u00"!on o, "-e !lle4l &le. A& "-e Cou/" o1&e/%e+ !n
People %. P.o, "-e&e ,."o/& 02 &o0e"!0e& .0ouC4e "-e .o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e. In "-e !n&"n"
.&e, "-e ,." "-" "-e o"-e/ people !n&!+e "-e ppelln"A& -ou&e /e 8no;n "o "-e ppelln" 02 -%e
4!%en -!0 &o0e &&u/n.e "-" "-e&e people ;!ll no" /epo/" -!0 "o "-e u"-o/!"!e&.
=. I).L I).L I).L CASE OF PEOPLE DS. ALE, NOT APPLICABLE IN CASE AT BAR. N T-e .&e o, People %.
Ale +oe& no" ppl2 -e/e 1e.u&e "-e pol!.e0n !n "-" .&e "e&"!Be+ "-" -e n+ -!& .o0pn!on ;e/e
.e/"!n "-" "-e ppelln" "-e/e!n -n+e+ 0/!Fun .!4/e""e& "o "-e po&eu/$1u2e/ 1&e+ on "-e
ppe/n.e o, "-e .!4/e""e &"!.8&. T-e Cou/" /eFe."e+ "-!& .l!0. In "-e .&e " 1/, -o;e%e/, TTS4".
Bel/4 +!+ no" po&!"!%el2 .l!0 "-" -e &; "-e ppelln" -n+ o%e/ 0/!Fun "o S4". An!. G-" -e &!+
;& "-" "-e/e ;& n eI.-n4e o, .e/"!n /"!.le& 1e";een "-e ";o. Con"//2 "o "-e .on"en"!on o, "-e
ppelln", !" ;& no" !0po&&!1le ,o/ TTS4". Bel/4 "o -%e &een, ,/o0 +!&"n.e o, 90$100 0e"e/&, S4".
An! -n+ "o "-e ppelln" J&o0e"-!n4J n+ ,o/ "-e l""e/ "o 4!%e "o "-e ,o/0e/ J&o0e"-!n4.J
>. RE'E)IAL LAGL EDI)ENCEL CORROBORATIDE EDI)ENCE S@PPORTING )IRECT EDI)ENCEL
S@FFICIENT TO PRODE THE CRI'E CO''ITTE). N No";!"-&"n+!n4 "-e ,." "-" TTS4". Bel/4 .oul+ no"
-%e 1een .e/"!n "-" ;-" S4". An! /e.e!%e+ ,/o0 "-e ppelln" ;& 0/!Fun 1e.u&e o, "-e +!&"n.e,
-!& "e&"!0on2, ne%e/"-ele&&, .o//o1o/"e+ "-e +!/e." e%!+en.e, ;-!.- "-e Cou/" e/l!e/ /ule+ "o 1e
.on%!n.!n4. T-e .o//o1o/"!%e "e&"!0on2 o, TTS4". Bel/4 &"/en4"-en& "-e +!/e." e%!+en.e 4!%en 12 S4".
An!. A++!"!onll2, "-e Cou/" -& /ule+ "-" "-e ,." "-" "-e pol!.e oE.e/& ;-o ..o0pn!e+ "-e po&eu/$
1u2e/ ;e/e un1le "o &ee eI."l2 ;-" "-e ppelln" 4%e "-e po&eu/$1u2e/ 1e.u&e o, "-e!/ +!&"n.e o/
po&!"!on ;!ll no" 1e ,"l "o "-e p/o&e.u"!onA& .&e p/o%!+e+ "-e/e eI!&"& o"-e/ e%!+en.e, +!/e." o/
.!/.u0&"n"!l, e.4., "-e "e&"!0on2 o, "-e po&eu/$1u2e/, ;-!.- !& &uE.!en" "o p/o%e "-e .on&u00"!on o,
"-e &le o, "-e p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4.
6. CONSTIT@TIONAL LAGL BILL OF RIGHTSL FREE)O' AGAINST @NREASONABLE SEARCH AN)
SEIQ@REL EDI)ENCE OBTAINE) IN DIOLATION THEREOF. N Bu!l" !n"o "-e Con&"!"u"!on /e 4u/n"ee& on
"-e ,/ee+o0 o, e%e/2 !n+!%!+ul 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&. Fu/"-e/0o/e, "-e
Con&"!"u"!on, !n .on,o/0!"2 ;!"- "-e +o."/!ne l!+ +o;n !n S"one-!ll %. )!o8no, 9G.R. No. L$19660, June 19,
19<7, ?0 SCRA =7=: +e.l/e& !n+0!&&!1le, n2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, "-e ,/ee+o0 ,/o0
un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&.
<. RE'E)IAL LAGL CRI'INAL PROCE)@REL SEARCH 3 SEIQ@REL SEARCH INCI)ENTAL TO LAGF@L
ARREST. N G-!le %l!+ &e/.- ;//n" !& 4ene/ll2 ne.e&&/2 1e,o/e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 02 1e
e#e."e+, eI.ep"!on& "o "-!& /ule /e /e.o4n!Me+. T-u&, !n Al%e/o %. )!Mon, "-e Cou/" &""e+ "-" J["]-e 0o&"
!0po/"n" eI.ep"!on "o "-e ne.e&&!"2 ,o/ &e/.- ;//n" !& "-e /!4-" o, &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e & n !n.!+en"
"o l;,ul //e&".J Rule 1?<, Se."!on 1? o, "-e Rule& o, Cou/" eIp/e&&l2 u"-o/!Me& ;//n"le&& &e/.-
n+ &e!Mu/e !n.!+en" "o l;,ul //e&". T-e/e !& no +ou1" "-" "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul
//e&" u"-o/!Me& "-e //e&"!n4 oE.e/ "o 08e &e/.- upon "-e pe/&on o, "-e pe/&on //e&"e+. A& e/l2
& 1909, "-e Cou/" -& /ule+ "-" J[]n oE.e/ 08!n4 n //e&" 02 "8e ,/o0 "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ n+
0one2 o/ p/ope/"2 ,oun+ upon -!& pe/&on ;-!.- ;& u&e+ !n "-e .o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e o/ ;& "-e ,/u!"
o, "-e ./!0e o/ ;-!.- 0!4-" ,u/n!&- "-e p/!&one/ ;!"- "-e 0en& o, .o00!""!n4 %!olen.e o/ o, e&.p!n4, o/
;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & e%!+en.e !n "-e "/!l o, "-e .u&e . . .J Hen.e, !n 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on .on+u."e+ "o
en"/p +/u4$pu&-e/, "-e l; en,o/.e0en" 4en"& 02 &e!Me "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 ,oun+ on "-e pe/&on o,
"-e pu&-e/ !00e+!"el2 ,"e/ "-e //e&" e%en ;!"-ou" //e&" n+ &e/.- ;//n"&.
7. I).L I).L I).L I).L )OCTRINE OF JPLAIN DIEGJ. N T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e, & n
!n.!+en" "o &u&pe."A& l;,ul //e&", 02 eI"en+ 1e2on+ "-e pe/&on o, "-e one //e&"e+ "o !n.lu+e "-e
p/e0!&e& o/ &u//oun+!n4& un+e/ -!& !00e+!"e .on"/ol. O1Fe."& !n "-e Jpl!n %!e;J o, n oE.e/ ;-o -&
"-e /!4-" "o 1e !n "-e po&!"!on "o -%e "-" %!e; /e &u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e n+ 02 1e p/e&en"e+ & e%!+en.e.
7. I).L I).L I).L I).L I).L LI'ITATION. N T-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne 02 no", -o;e%e/, 1e u&e+ "o
lun.- un1/!+le+ &e/.-e& n+ !n+!&./!0!n"e &e!Mu/e& no/ "o eI"en+ 4ene/l eIplo/"o/2 &e/.- 0+e
&olel2 "o Bn+ e%!+en.e o, +e,en+n"A& 4u!l". T-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne !& u&ull2 ppl!e+ ;-e/e pol!.e
oE.e/ !& no" &e/.-!n4 ,o/ e%!+en.e 4!n&" "-e ..u&e+, 1u" none"-ele&& !n+%e/"en"l2 .o0e& ./o&& n
!n./!0!n"!n4 o1Fe.". I" -& l&o 1een &u44e&"e+ "-" e%en !, n o1Fe." !& o1&e/%e+ !n Jpl!n %!e;,J "-e
Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne ;!ll no" Fu&"!,2 "-e &e!Mu/e o, "-e o1Fe." ;-e/e "-e !n./!0!n"!n4 n"u/e o, "-e o1Fe."
!& no" pp/en" ,/o0 "-e Jpl!n %!e;J o, "-e o1Fe.". S""e+ +!#e/en"l2, !" 0u&" 1e !00e+!"el2 pp/en" "o
"-e pol!.e "-" "-e !"e0& "-" "-e2 o1&e/%e 02 1e e%!+en.e o, ./!0e, .on"/1n+, o/ o"-e/;!&e &u1Fe."
"o &e!Mu/e.
9. I).L I).L I).L I).L I).L NOT APPLICABLE IN CASE AT BAR. N In "-e !n&"n" .&e, "-e ppelln" ;&
//e&"e+ n+ -!& pe/&on &e/.-e+ !n "-e l!%!n4 /oo0. F!l!n4 "o /e"/!e%e "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 ;-!.- "-e2
-ope+ "o Bn+, "-e NARCO' 4en"& &e/.-e+ "-e ;-ole -ou&e n+ ,oun+ "-e pl&"!. 14 !n "-e 8!".-en.
T-e pl&"!. 14 ;&, "-e/e,o/e, no" ;!"-!n "-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;J ;-en "-e2 //e&"e+ "-e ppelln" & "o Fu&"!,2
!"& &e!Mu/e. T-e NARCO' 4en"& -+ "o 0o%e ,/o0 one po/"!on o, "-e -ou&e "o no"-e/ 1e,o/e "-e2
&!4-"e+ "-e pl&"!. 14. 'o/eo%e/, ;-en "-e NARCO' 4en"& &; "-e pl&"!. 14 -n4!n4 !n one .o/ne/ o,
"-e 8!".-en, "-e2 -+ no .lue & "o !"& .on"en"&. T-e2 -+ "o &8 "-e ppelln" ;-" "-e 14 .on"!ne+.
G-en "-e ppelln" /e,u&e+ "o /e&pon+, "-e2 opene+ !" n+ ,oun+ "-e 0/!Fun. @nl!8e (e/ %. Cl!,o/n!,
;-e/e "-e 0/!Fun ;& %!&!1le "o "-e pol!.e oE.e/A& e2e&, "-e NARCO' 4en"& !n "-!& .&e .oul+ no"
-%e +!&.o%e/e+ "-e !n.ulp"o/2 n"u/e o, "-e .on"en"& o, "-e 14 -+ "-e2 no" ,o/.!1l2 opene+ !". E%en
&&u0!n4 "-en, "-" "-e NARCO' 4en"& !n+%e/"en"l2 .0e ./o&& "-e pl&"!. 14 1e.u&e !" ;& ;!"-!n
"-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;,J ;-" 02 1e &!+ "o 1e "-e o1Fe." !n "-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;J ;& Fu&" "-e pl&"!. 14 n+ no"
"-e 0/!Fun. T-e !n./!0!n"!n4 n"u/e o, "-e .on"en"& o, "-e pl&"!. 14 ;& no" !00e+!"el2 pp/en"
,/o0 "-e Jpl!n %!e;J o, &!+ o1Fe.". I" .nno" 1e .l!0e+ "-" "-e pl&"!. 14 .le/l2 1e"/2e+ !"&
.on"en"&, ;-e"-e/ 12 !"& +!&"!n."!%e .onB4u/"!on, !"& "/n&p/en.2, o/ o"-e/;!&e, "-" !"& .on"en"& /e
o1%!ou& "o n o1&e/%e/. Ge, "-e/e,o/e, -ol+ "-" un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e& o, "-e .&e, "-e Jpl!n %!e;J
+o."/!ne +oe& no" ppl2 n+ "-e 0/!Fun .on"!ne+ !n "-e pl&"!. 14 ;& &e!Me+ !lle4ll2 n+ .nno" 1e
p/e&en"e+ !n e%!+en.e pu/&un" "o A/"!.le III, Se."!on =9?: o, "-e Con&"!"u"!on.
10. RE'E)IAL LAGL EDI)ENCEL R@ANT@' OF PROOF RER@IRE) IN CRI'INALL SATISFIE) IN CASE AT
BAR. N B2 %!/"ue o, "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, S4". An! n+ TTS4". Bel/4 n+ "-e ";o ;/pp!n4& o, 0/!Fun
&ol+ 12 "-e ppelln" "o S4". An!, 0on4 o"-e/ p!e.e& o, e%!+en.e, "-e 4u!l" o, "-e ppelln" o, "-e ./!0e
.-/4e+ -& 1een p/o%e+ 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1".
) E C I S I O N
RO'ERO, J p5
T-e ppelln", '/! 'u&, &ee8&, !n "-!& ppel, "-e /e%e/&l o, "-e +e.!&!on, +"e+ Au4u&" =1, 1990, 1 o,
"-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" 9RTC: o, Q01on4 C!"2, B/n.- SII, Bn+!n4 -!0 4u!l"2 o, &ell!n4 0/!Fun !n
%!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+, o"-e/;!&e 8no;n & "-e )n4e/ou&
)/u4& A." o, 197?.
T-e !n,o/0"!on Ble+ on )e.e01e/ 16, 1979 4!n&" "-e ppelln" /e+&5
JT-" on o/ 1ou" )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, !n "-e C!"2 o, Q01on4, P-!l!pp!ne&, n+ ;!"-!n "-e Fu/!&+!."!on o,
"-!& Hono/1le Cou/", "-e 1o%e$n0e+ ..u&e+, no" 1e!n4 u"-o/!Me+ 12 l;, +!+ "-en n+ "-e/e, ;!l,ull2,
unl;,ull2 n+ ,elon!ou&l2 &ell "o one SGT. A'A)O ANI, ";o 9?: ;/ppe/& .on"!n!n4 +/!e+ 0/!Fun
le%e&, 8no;!n4 "-e &0e "o 1e p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4.
CONTRARK TO LAG.J ?
@pon -!& //!4n0en" on Jnu/2 11, 1990, "-e ppelln" ple+e+ no" 4u!l"2. =
A" "-e "/!l, "-e p/o&e.u"!on p/e&en"e+ "-/ee 9=: ;!"ne&&e&, n0el25 91: S4". A0+o An!, J/. o, "-e 9"-
N/.o"!.& Co00n+ 9NARCO': o, Q01on4 C!"2, ;-o ."e+ & po&eu/$1u2e/ !n "-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on
0+e 4!n&" "-e ppelln"L 9?: TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4, l&o o, "-e 9"- N/.o"!.& Co00n+ o, Q01on4
C!"2, ;-o ;& "-e NARCO' "e0 le+e/ o, "-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!onL n+ 9=: A"-en El!& P. An+e/&on, "-e
)o.u0en" EI0!ne/ n+ Fo/en&!. C-e0!&" o, PC$INP C/!0e L1o/"o/2 o, Re4!onl Co00n+ 9RECO': 9.
T-e e%!+en.e o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;& &u00/!Me+ 12 "-e "/!l .ou/" & ,ollo;&5 LLFu/
JP/o&e.u"!on e%!+en.e &-o;& "-" !n "-e 0o/n!n4 o, )e.e01e/ 1=, 1979, TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4, le+e/ o,
NARCOTICS CO''AN) 9NARCO': "e0 1&e+ " Cl/!n, Q01on4 C!"2, !n&"/u."e+ S4". A0+o An! "o
.on+u." &u/%e!lln.e n+ "e&" 1u2 on .e/"!n '/! 'u& o, Su"e/%!lle, Q01on4 C!"2. In,o/0"!on
/e.e!%e+ ,/o0 .!%!l!n !n,o/0e/ ;& "-" "-!& '/! 'u& ;& en44e+ !n &ell!n4 0/!Fun !n &!+ pl.e. So
S4". A0+o An!, no"-e/ NARCO' 4en", p/o.ee+e+ "o Su"e/%!lle, !n .o0pn2 ;!"- NARCO' .!%!l!n
!n,o/0e/, "o "-e -ou&e o, '/! 'u& "o ;-!.- -ou&e "-e .!%!l!n !n,o/0e/ -+ 4u!+e+ -!0. T-e &0e
.!%!l!n !n,o/0e/ -+ l&o +e&./!1e+ "o -!0 "-e ppe/n.e o, '/! 'u&. A0+o An! ;& 1le "o 1u2 one
ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ +/!e+ 0/!Fun 9EI-. AEA: ,o/ P10.00. S4". An! /e"u/ne+ "o "-e NARCO' oE.e n+
"u/ne+ o%e/ "-e ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ 0/!Fun "o TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4. S4". Bel/4 !n&pe."e+ "-e &"u#
"u/ne+ o%e/ "o -!0 n+ ,oun+ !" "o 1e 0/!Fun.
T-e neI" +2, )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, 1ou" 15=0 P.'., 1u2$1u&" ;& plnne+. S4". A0+o An! ;& &&!4ne+
& "-e po&eu/ 1u2e/ ,o/ ;-!.- pu/po&e -e ;& 4!%en P?0.00 9;!"- SN GA96677=: 12 Bel/4. T-e 1u2$1u&"
0one2 -+ 1een "8en 12 TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4 ,/o0 'TS4". No- Sl! '!-&un, C-!e, o, In%e&"!4"!on
Se."!on, n+ ,o/ ;-!.- Bel/4 &!4ne+ /e.e!p" 9EI-. ALA 3 AL$1A:. T-e "e0 un+e/ S4". Fon./4& ;&
&&!4ne+ & 1.8$up &e.u/!"2. A p/e$//n4e+ &!4nl ;& //n4e+ .on&!&"!n4 o, S4". An!A& /!&!n4 -!& /!4-"
-n+, ,"e/ -e -+ &u..ee+e+ "o 1u2 "-e 0/!Fun. T-e ";o NARCO' "e0& p/o.ee+e+ "o "-e "/4e" &!"e
!n ";o .!%!l!n %e-!.le&. Bel/4A& "e0 ;& .o0po&e+ o, S4". Bel/4, "e0 le+e/, S4". A0+o An!,
po&eu/ 1u2e/, S4". Le4o n+ S4". B!on4.
A//!%!n4 " "-e "/4e" &!"e, S4". An! p/o.ee+e+ "o "-e -ou&e o, '/! 'u&, ;-!le "-e /e&" o, "-e NARCO'
4/oup po&!"!one+ "-e0&el%e& " &"/"e4!. pl.e& 1ou" 90 "o 100 0e"e/& ,/o0 '/! 'u&A& -ou&e. TTS4".
Bel/4 .oul+ &ee ;-" ;en" on 1e";een An! n+ &u&pe." '/! 'u& ,/o0 ;-e/e -e ;&. An! pp/o.-e+
'/! 'u&, ;-o .0e ou" o, -!& -ou&e, n+ &8e+ An! ;-" -e ;n"e+. An! &!+ -e ;n"e+ &o0e 0o/e
&"u#. An! 4%e '/! 'u& "-e P?0.00 0/8e+ 0one2. A,"e/ /e.e!%!n4 "-e 0one2, '/! 'u& ;en" 1.8 "o
-!& -ou&e n+ .0e 1.8 n+ 4%e A0+o An! ";o ne;&ppe/ ;/ppe/& .on"!n!n4 +/!e+ 0/!Fun. An!
opene+ "-e ";o ;/ppe/& n+ !n&pe."e+ "-e .on"en"&. Con%!n.e+ "-" "-e .on"en"& ;e/e 0/!Fun, An!
;l8e+ 1.8 "o;/+& -!& .o0pn!on& n+ /!&e+ -!& /!4-" -n+. T-e ";o NARCO' "e0&, /!+!n4 "-e ";o
.!%!l!n %e-!.le&, &pe+ "o;/+& S4". An!. An! Fo!ne+ Bel/4A& "e0 n+ /e"u/ne+ "o "-e -ou&e.
A" "-e "!0e S4". An! B/&" pp/o.-e+ '/! 'u&, "-e/e ;e/e ,ou/ pe/&on& !n&!+e -!& -ou&e5 '/! 'u&,
no"-e/ 1o2, n+ ";o ;o0en, one o, ;-o0 An! n+ Bel/4 l"e/ .0e "o 8no; "o 1e '/! 'u&A& ;!,e.
T-e &e.on+ "!0e, An! ;!"- "-e NARCO' "e0 /e"u/ne+ "o '/! 'u&A& -ou&e, "-e ;o0n, ;-o ;& l"e/
8no;n & '/! 'u&A& ;!,e, &l!ppe+ ;2 ,/o0 "-e -ou&e. S4". Bel/4 ,/!&8e+ '/! 'u& 1u" .oul+ no" Bn+
"-e P?0.00 0/8e+ 0one2 ;!"- -!0. '/! 'u& ;& "-en &8e+ ;-e/e "-e P?0.00 ;& n+ -e "ol+ "-e
NARCO' "e0 -e -& 4!%en "-e 0one2 "o -!& ;!,e 9;-o -+ &l!ppe+ ;2:. S4". Bel/4 l&o ,oun+
pl&"!. 14 .on"!n!n4 +/!e+ 0/!Fun !n&!+e !" &o0e;-e/e !n "-e 8!".-en. '/! 'u& ;& "-en pl.e+
un+e/ //e&" n+ 1/ou4-" "o "-e NARCO' oE.e. A" Su"e/%!lle, S4". An! "u/ne+ o%e/ "o S4". Bel/4 "-e ";o
ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ 0/!Fun -e -+ e/l!e/ 1ou4-" ,/o0 '/! 'u& 9EI-&. ACA 3 A)A:. LeIL!1
In "-e NARCO' oE.e, '/! 'u& B/&" 4%e -!& n0e & Hu&&!n 'u&. L"e/ on, '/! 'u& 4%e -!& "/ue
n0e $ '/! 'u&. TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4 "u/ne+ o%e/ "-e ";o ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ 0/!Fun 91ou4-" " "-e
1u2$1u&":, "-e one ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ 0/!Fun 91ou4-" " "-e "e&"$1u2: n+ "-e pl&"!. 14 .on"!n!n4
0o/e 0/!Fun 9;-!.- -+ 1een "8en 12 S4". Le4o !n&!+e "-e 8!".-en o, '/! 'u&: "o "-e PC C/!0e
L1o/"o/2, Q01on4 C!"2, ,o/ l1o/"o/2 eI0!n"!on. T-e "u/no%e/ o, "-e 0/!Fun &pe.!0en "o "-e
PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2 ;& 12 ;2 o, le""e/$/eHue&", +"e+ )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979 9EI-. ABA:, ;-!.- ;&
&"0pe+ ARECEIDE)A 12 "-e PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2 9EI-. AE$1A: on "-e &0e +2.
'/&. A"-en El!& P. An+e/&on, "-e Fo/en&!. C-e0!&" o, "-e PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2, eI0!ne+ "-e 0/!Fun
&pe.!0en& &u1Fe."!n4 "-e &0e "o -e/ "-/ee "e&"&. All &u10!""e+ &pe.!0en& &-e eI0!ne+ 4%e po&!"!%e
/e&ul"& ,o/ "-e p/e&en.e o, 0/!Fun. '/&. An+e/&on /epo/"e+ "-e /e&ul"& o, -e/ eI0!n"!on !n -e/
C-e0!&"/2 Repo/" )$100$79, +"e+ )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, 9EI-. AJA, AJ$1A, AJ$?A, AJ$=A, AJ$>A n+ AJ$6A:. '/&.
An+e/&on !+en"!Be+ !n .ou/" "-e ";o ne;&ppe/ ;/ppe+ 0/!Fun 1ou4-" " "-e 1u2$1u&" on )e.e01e/
1>, 1979, "-/ou4- -e/ !n!"!l n+ "-e ;e!4-" o, e.- &pe.!0en ;/!""en ;!"- /e+ !n8 on e.- ;/ppe/ 9EI-&.
AC$1A n+ A)$1A:. S-e l&o !+en"!Be+ "-e one ne;&ppe/$;/ppe+ 0/!Fun 1ou4-" " "-e "e&"$1u2 on
)e.e01e/ 1=, 1979, "-/ou4- -e/ 0/8!n4& 9EI-. AE$1A:. '/&. An+e/&on l&o !+en"!Be+ -e/ C-e0!&"/2 Repo/"
9EI-. AJA 3 &u1$0/8!n4&.:
T. S4". Bel/4 !+en"!Be+ "-e ";o 1u2$1u&" ne;&ppe/ ;/ppe+ 0/!Fun "-/ou4- -!& !n!"!l, "-e ;o/+&
A1u2$1u&"A n+ "-e ;o/+& A)e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, ?5>6 P.'.A 9;/!""en on EI-&. ACA n+ A)A:. Bel/4 l&o
!+en"!Be+ "-e /e.e!p" o, "-e P?0 0/8e+ 0one2 9;!"- SN GA96677=: 9EI-. ALA:, +"e+ )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979,
n+ -!& &!4n"u/e "-e/eon 9EI-. AL$1A:. He l&o !+en"!Be+ "-e le""e/$/eHue&", +"e+ )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979,
++/e&&e+ "o "-e PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2 9EI-. ABA: n+ -!& &!4n"u/e "-e/eon 9EI-. AB$?A: n+ "-e &"0p o,
"-e PC C/!0e L1o/"o/2 0/8e+ ARECEIDE)A 9EI-. AB$1A:.J >
Fo/ "-e +e,en&e, "-e ,ollo;!n4 "e&"!Be+ & ;!"ne&&e&5 91: "-e ..u&e+$ppelln" '/! H. 'u&L n+ 9?:
A-/ R. 'u&, -!& ;!,e. T-e "/!l .ou/" &u00/!Me+ "-e %e/&!on o, "-e +e,en&e, "-u&5
J[O]n )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, " 1ou" 15=0 !n "-e ,"e/noon, '/! 'u& ;& !n -!& -ou&e " Su"e/%!lle,
Q01on4 C!"2. G!"- -!0 ;e/e -!& ;!,e, A-/ 'u&, 8no;n & A/, -!& one$2e/ ol+ .-!l+, ;o0n
0n!.u/!&", n+ 0le .ou&!n n0e+ A1+ul 'u&. A1ou" 15=0 "-" ,"e/noon, ;-!le -e ;& 1e!n4
0n!.u/e+ " one -n+, -!& ;!,e ;& !n&!+e "-e one /oo0 o, "-e!/ -ou&e, pu""!n4 "-e!/ .-!l+ "o &leep. T-/ee
NARCO' 4en"&, ;-o !n"/o+u.e+ "-e0&el%e& & NARCO' 4en"&, +/e&&e+ !n .!%!l!n .lo"-e&, 4o" !n&!+e
'/! 'u&A& -ou&e ;-o&e +oo/ ;& open. T-e NARCO' 4en"& +!+ no" &8 pe/0!&&!on "o en"e/ "-e -ou&e
1u" &!0pl2 nnoun.e+ "-" "-e2 ;e/e NARCO' 4en"&. T-e NARCO' 4en"& &e/.-e+ '/! 'u&A& -ou&e
n+ '/! 'u& &8e+ "-e0 !, "-e2 -+ &e/.- ;//n". T-e NARCO' 4en"& ;e/e Fu&" &!len". T-e
NARCO' 4en"& ,oun+ /e+ pl&"!. 14 ;-o&e .on"en"&, '/! 'u& &!+, -e +!+ no" 8no;. He l&o +!+ no"
8no; !, "-e pl&"!. 14 1elon4e+ "o -!& 1/o"-e/, F!&l, ;-o ;& l!%!n4 ;!"- -!0, o/ -!& ,"-e/, ;-o ;&
l!%!n4 !n no"-e/ -ou&e 1ou" "en /0&$len4"- ;2. '/! 'u&, "-en, ;& -n+.u#e+ n+ ;-en '/!
'u& &8e+ ;-2, "-e NARCO' 4en"& "ol+ -!0 ,o/ .l/!B."!on.
'/! 'u& ;& 1/ou4-" !n p!.8$up, -!& ;!,e Fo!n!n4 -!0 "o "-e NARCO' OE.e " Cl/!n, Q01on4
C!"2. In&!+e "-e NARCO' OE.e, '/! 'u& ;& !n%e&"!4"e+ 12 one NARCO' 4en" ;-!.- !n%e&"!4"!on
;& /e+u.e+ !n"o ;/!"!n4. T-e ;/!"!n4 o/ +o.u0en" ;& !n"e/p/e"e+ "o '/! 'u& !n T4lo4. T-e +o.u0en"
&""e+ "-" "-e 0/!Fun 1elon4e+ "o '/! 'u& n+ '/! 'u& ;& &8e+ "o &!4n !". Bu" '/! 'u&
/e,u&e+ "o &!4n 1e.u&e "-e 0/!Fun +!+ no" 1elon4 "o -!0. '/! 'u& &!+ -e ;& no" "ol+ "-" -e ;&
en"!"le+ "o "-e &&!&"n.e o, .oun&el, l"-ou4- -e -!0&el, "ol+ "-e NARCO' 4en"& -e ;n"e+ "o 1e
&&!&"e+ 12 .oun&el.
'/! 'u& &!+ ,ou/ 1ulle"& ;e/e "-en pl.e+ 1e";een "-e Bn4e/& o, -!& /!4-" -n+ n+ -!& Bn4e/& ;e/e
p/e&&e+ ;-!.- ,el" %e/2 p!n,ul. T-e NARCO' 4en"& 1oIe+ -!0 n+ '/! 'u& lo&" .on&.!ou&ne&&. G-!le
'/! 'u& ;& 0l"/e"e+, -e &!+ -!& ;!,e ;& ou"&!+e "-e NARCO' 1u!l+!n4. T-e %e/2 +2 -e ;&
//e&"e+ 9on ./o&&$eI0!n"!on '/! 'u& &!+ !" ;& on "-e neI" +2:, '/! 'u& ;& 1/ou4-" "o "-e
F!&.lA& OE.e 12 "-/ee NARCO' 4en"&. T-e B&.l &8e+ -!0 !, "-e 0/!Fun ;& o;ne+ 12 -!0 n+ -e
&!+ Jno".J A,"e/ "-" &!n4le Hue&"!on, '/! 'u& ;& 1/ou4-" "o "-e C!"2 J!l. '/! 'u& &!+ -e +!+ no" "ell
"-e B&.l "-" -e -+ 1een 0l"/e"e+ 12 "-e NARCO' 4en"& 1e.u&e -e ;& ,/!+ -e 0!4-" 1e
0l"/e"e+ !n "-e B&.lA& oE.e. .+ll
'/! 'u& +en!e+ "-e NARCO' 4en"&A .-/4e "-" -e -+ &ol+ ";o ;/ppe/& o, 0/!Fun "o "-e0L "-"
-e -+ /e.e!%e+ ,/o0 "-e0 P?0.00 1!ll ;-!.- -e -+ 4!%en "o -!& ;!,e. He +!+ no" &ell 0/!Fun 1e.u&e
-e ;& ,/!+ "-" ;& 4!n&" "-e l; n+ "-" "-e pe/&on &ell!n4 0/!Fun ;& .u4-" 12 "-e
u"-o/!"!e&L n+ -e -+ ;!,e n+ %e/2 &0ll .-!l+ "o &uppo/". '/! 'u& &!+ -e -+ no" 1een //e&"e+
,o/ &ell!n4 0/!Fun 1e,o/e. 6
A,"e/ "/!l, "-e "/!l .ou/" /en+e/e+ "-e &&!le+ +e.!&!on ;!"- "-e ,ollo;!n4 +!&po&!"!on5
JGHEREFORE, Bn+!n4 ..u&e+ '/! 'u& 2 Hn""lu 4u!l"2 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, &ell!n4 0/!Fun
n+ pu/&un" "o Se.. >, A/" II o, Rep. A." No. <>?6, -e !& &en"en.e+ "o l!,e !0p/!&on0en" n+ "o p2 "-e
Bne o, P?0,000.00, "-e l""e/ !0po&e+ ;!"-ou" &u1&!+!/2 !0p/!&on0en".J <
In "-!& ppel, "-e ppelln" .on"en+& "-" -!& 4u!l" ;& no" p/o%e+ 1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" n+ !0pu4n&
"-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e&.
T-e ppelln" .l!0& "-" "-e "e&"!0on2 o, S4". An!, "-e po&eu/$1u2e/, !& no" ./e+!1le 1e.u&e5 91: p/!o/ "o
"-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on, ne!"-e/ S4". An! no/ "-e o"-e/ NARCO' 4en"& ;e/e pe/&onll2 8no;n 12 "-e
ppelln" o/ %!.e$%e/&L n+ 9?: "-e/e ;& no ;!"ne&& "o "-e lle4e+ 4!%!n4 o, "-e ";o ;/ppe/& o,
0/!Fun 12 "-e ppelln" "o S4". An!.
S4". An! "e&"!Be+ "-" on )e.e01e/ 1=, 1979, upon !n&"/u."!on 12 TTS4". Je&u& Bel/4, -e .on+u."e+
"e&"$1u2 ope/"!on on "-e ppelln" ;-e/e12 -e 1ou4-" one ;/ppe/ o, 0/!Fun ,o/ P16.00 ,/o0 "-e
l""e/. 7 He /epo/"e+ "-e &u..e&&,ul ope/"!on "o TTS4". Bel/4 on "-e &0e +2. 7 G-e/eupon, TTS4".
Bel/4 .on+u."e+ .on,e/en.e "o o/4n!Me 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on ,o/ "-e ,ollo;!n4 +2. 9
On )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, " 15=0 p.0., ";o NARCO' "e0& !n &ep/"e %e-!.le& -e+e+ 12 TTS4". Bel/4
n+ .e/"!n S4". Fon./+& ;en" "o "-e pl.e o, ope/"!on, ;-!.- ;& "-e ppelln"A& -ou&e lo."e+ !n
LHu!n Co0poun+, Su"e/%!lle, Q01on4 C!"2. S4". An! ;& ;!"- "-e "e0 o, TTS4". Bel/4, ;-o&e o"-e/
0e01e/& ;e/e S4"&. Le4o n+ B!on4. 10 S4". An! ;& 4!%en 0/8e+ P?0.00 1!ll 12 TTS4". Bel/4, ;-!.-
;& "o 1e u&e+ !n "-e ope/"!on.
@pon /e.-!n4 "-e pl.e, "-e NARCO' 4en"& po&!"!one+ "-e0&el%e& " &"/"e4!. pl.e&. 11 S4". An!
pp/o.-e+ "-e -ou&e. Ou"&!+e "-e -ou&e, "-e ppelln" &8e+ S4". An! ;-" -e ;n"e+. S4". An! &8e+
-!0 ,o/ &o0e 0o/e 0/!Fun. 1? S4". An! 4%e -!0 "-e 0/8e+ P?0.00 1!ll n+ "-e ppelln" ;en" !n&!+e
"-e -ou&e n+ 1/ou4-" 1.8 ";o ppe/ ;/ppe/& .on"!n!n4 0/!Fun ;-!.- -e -n+e+ "o S4". An!. 1=
F/o0 -!& po&!"!on, S4". An! .oul+ &ee "-" "-e/e ;e/e o"-e/ people !n "-e -ou&e. 1>
A,"e/ "-e eI.-n4e, S4". An! pp/o.-e+ "-e o"-e/ NARCO' 4en"& n+ 0+e "-e p/e$//n4e+ &!4nl o,
/!&!n4 -!& /!4-" -n+. 16 T-e NARCO' 4en"&, ..o0pn!e+ 12 S4". An!, ;en" !n&!+e "-e -ou&e n+ 0+e
"-e //e&". T-e 4en"& &e/.-e+ "-e ppelln" n+ un1le "o Bn+ "-e 0/8e+ 0one2, "-e2 &8e+ -!0
;-e/e !" ;&. T-e ppelln" &!+ "-" -e 4%e !" "o -!& ;!,e. 1<
T-e Cou/", ,"e/ ./e,ul /e+!n4 o, "-e /e.o/+, Bn+& "-e "e&"!0on2 o, S4". An! /e4/+!n4 "-e 1u2$1u&"
ope/"!on, ;-!.- /e&ul"e+ !n "-e pp/e-en&!on, p/o&e.u"!on n+ &u1&eHuen" .on%!."!on o, "-e ppelln", "o
1e +!/e.", lu.!+ n+ ,o/"-/!4-". Be!n4 "o"ll2 un"!n"e+ 12 .on"/+!."!on& !n n2 o, "-e 0"e/!l po!n"&, !"
+e&e/%e& ./e+en.e.
T-e .on"en"!on "-" "-e ppelln" .oul+ no" -%e "/n&."e+ ;!"- S4". An! 1e.u&e "-e2 +o no" 8no; e.-
o"-e/ !& ;!"-ou" 0e/!". T-e +2 1e,o/e "-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on, S4". An! .on+u."e+ "e&"$1u2 n+ -e
&u..e&&,ull2 1ou4-" ;/ppe/ o, 0/!Fun ,/o0 "-e ppelln". T-/ou4- "-!& p/e%!ou& "/n&."!on, S4". An!
;& 1le "o 4!n "-e ppelln"A& .onB+en.e ,o/ "-e l""e/ "o &ell 0o/e 0/!Fun "o S4". An! "-e ,ollo;!n4
+2, +u/!n4 "-e 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on. 'o/eo%e/, "-e Cou/" -& -el+ "-" ;-" 0""e/& !& no" n eI!&"!n4
,0!l!/!"2 1e";een "-e 1u2e/ n+ "-e &elle/, ,o/ Hu!"e o,"en, "-e p/"!e& "o "-e "/n&."!on 02 1e
&"/n4e/&, 1u" "-e!/ 4/ee0en" n+ "-e ."& .on&"!"u"!n4 "-e &le n+ +el!%e/2 o, "-e 0/!Fun. 17
T-e ppelln", 4!n "o .&" +ou1" on "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, S4". An!, /4ue& "-" !" ;& !0po&&!1le ,o/ "-e
ppelln" "o &ell 0/!Fun ;-!le -!& ;!,e, .ou&!n n+ 0n!.u/!&" ;e/e p/e&en". Bu" "-e pl.e o, "-e
.o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e o, &ell!n4 p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4& -& 1een -el+ "o 1e no" ./u.!l 17 n+ "-e p/e&en.e o,
o"-e/ people p/" ,/o0 "-e 1u2e/ n+ &elle/ ;!ll no" ne.e&&/!l2 p/e%en" "-e .on&u00"!on o, "-e !lle4l
&le. A& "-e Cou/" o1&e/%e+ !n People %. P.o, 19 "-e&e ,."o/& 02 &o0e"!0e& .0ouC4e "-e
.o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e. In "-e !n&"n" .&e, "-e ,." "-" "-e o"-e/ people !n&!+e "-e ppelln"A& -ou&e
/e 8no;n "o "-e ppelln" 02 -%e 4!%en -!0 &o0e &&u/n.e "-" "-e&e people ;!ll no" /epo/" -!0 "o
"-e u"-o/!"!e&. .+ll
T-e ppelln", 1e&!+e& &&!l!n4 S4". An!A& ./e+!1!l!"2, l&o Hue&"!on& "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, TTS4". Bel/4. T-e
ppelln" &u10!"& "-" &!n.e TTS4". Bel/4 +0!""e+ "-" -e ;& 1ou" 90 0e"e/& ;2 ,/o0 S4". An! n+
"-e ppelln", -e .oul+ no" -%e po&&!1l2 ;!"ne&&e+ "-e &le. T-e ppelln" !n%o8e& People %. Ale ?0
;-e/e "-e Cou/" o1&e/%e+ "-" ,/o0 +!&"n.e o, 10$16 0e"e/&, pol!.e0n .nno" +!&"!n4u!&- 1e";een
0/!Fun .!4/e""e ,/o0 o/+!n/2 one& 12 "-e "2pe o, /oll!n4 +one on "-e .!4/e""e &"!.8&. An+ &!n.e TTS4".
Bel/4 lle4e+l2 +!+ no" &ee "-e &le, "-e ppelln" .on"en+& "-" "-e un.o//o1o/"e+ "e&"!0on2 o, S4".
An! .n no" &"n+ & 1&!& ,o/ -!& .on%!."!on.
People %. Ale +oe& no" ppl2 -e/e 1e.u&e "-e pol!.e0n !n "-" .&e "e&"!Be+ "-" -e n+ -!& .o0pn!on
;e/e .e/"!n "-" "-e ppelln" "-e/e!n -n+e+ 0/!Fun .!4/e""e& "o "-e po&eu/$1u2e/ 1&e+ on "-e
ppe/n.e o, "-e .!4/e""e &"!.8&. T-e Cou/" /eFe."e+ "-!& .l!0, &""!n4 "-"5
JT-!& Cou/" .nno" 4!%e ,ull ./e+!" "o "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& 0/8e+ & "-e2 /e ;!"-
.on"/+!."!on& n+ "!n"e+ ;!"- !n..u/.!e&.
B!Pn "e&"!Be+ "-" "-e2 ;e/e 1le "o "ell "-" "-e ,ou/ .!4/e""e& ;e/e 0/!Fun .!4/e""e& 1e.u&e
..o/+!n4 "o -!0, "-e /oll!n4 o, o/+!n/2 .!4/e""e& /e +!#e/en" ,/o0 "-o&e o, 0/!Fun .!4/e""e&. 9"&n,
No%e01e/ 1=, 197>, p. 10:.
I" !& -o;e%e/, !n./e+!1le "o 1el!e%e "-" "-e2 .oul+ +!&.e/n "-e "2pe o, /oll!n4 +one on "-o&e .!4/e""e&
,/o0 "-e +!&"n.e ;-e/e "-e2 ;e/e o1&e/%!n4 "-e lle4e+ &le o, 0o/e o/ le&& 10 "o 16 0e"e/&.J ?1
In "-e .&e " 1/, -o;e%e/, TTS4". Bel/4 +!+ no" po&!"!%el2 .l!0 "-" -e &; "-e ppelln" -n+ o%e/
0/!Fun "o S4". An!. G-" -e &!+ ;& "-" "-e/e ;& n eI.-n4e o, .e/"!n /"!.le& 1e";een "-e ";o.
T-e /ele%n" po/"!on o, TTS4". Bel/4A& "e&"!0on2 /e+&5 ??
R No;, +o 2ou /e0e01e/ ;-e"-e/ S4". An! ;& 1le "o /e.- "-e -ou&e o, '/! 'u&O
A Ke&, 0A0.
R A,"e/ /e.-!n4 '/! 'u&, +!+ 2ou &ee ;-" -ppene+ 9&!.:O
A Ke&, 0A0.
R Coul+ 2ou ple&e "ell u&O
A F/o0 ou/ %e-!.le "-e &"!nle&& o;ne/ "2pe Feep ;-e/e S4". Le4o, S4". B!on4 ;e/e 1o/+e+, I &;
"-" S4". An! p/o.ee+e+ "o "-e -ou&e ne/ "-e /o+ n+ -e ;& 0e" 12 one pe/&on n+ l"e/ 8no;n &
'/! 'u& ;-o ;& " "-e "!0e ;e/!n4 &-o/" pn"& n+ l"e/ on I &; "-" S4". An! -n+e+ &o0e"-!n4 "o
-!0, "-e/e,"e/ /e.e!%e+ 12 '/! 'u& n+ ;en" !n&!+e "-e -ou&e n+ .0e 1.8 l"e/ n+ -n+e+
&o0e"-!n4 "o S4". An!.
Con"//2 "o "-e .on"en"!on o, "-e ppelln", !" ;& no" !0po&&!1le ,o/ TTS4". Bel/4 "o -%e &een, ,/o0
+!&"n.e o, 90$100 0e"e/&, S4". An! -n+ "o "-e ppelln" J&o0e"-!n4J n+ ,o/ "-e l""e/ "o 4!%e "o "-e
,o/0e/ J&o0e"-!n4.J
No";!"-&"n+!n4 "-e ,." "-" TTS4". Bel/4 .oul+ no" -%e 1een .e/"!n "-" ;-" S4". An! /e.e!%e+ ,/o0
"-e ppelln" ;& 0/!Fun 1e.u&e o, "-e +!&"n.e, -!& "e&"!0on2, ne%e/"-ele&&, .o//o1o/"e+ "-e +!/e."
e%!+en.e, ;-!.- "-e Cou/" e/l!e/ /ule+ "o 1e .on%!n.!n4, p/e&en"e+ 12 S4". An! on "-e ,ollo;!n4 0"e/!l
po!n"&5 91: TTS4". Bel/4 !n&"/u."e+ S4". An! "o .on+u." &u/%e!lln.e n+ "e&"$1u2 ope/"!on on "-e
ppelln" " Su"e/%!lle, Q01on4 C!"2 on )e.e01e/ 1=, 19=9L ?= 9?: l"e/ "-" &0e +2, S4". An! ;en"
1.8 "o "-e!/ oE.e n+ /epo/"e+ &u..e&&,ul ope/"!on n+ "u/ne+ o%e/ "o TTS4". Bel/4 one ;/ppe/ o,
0/!FunL ?> 9=: TTS4". Bel/4 "-en o/4n!Me+ "e0 "o .on+u." 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on "-e ,ollo;!n4 +2L
?6 9>: on )e.e01e/ 1>, 1979, TTS4". Bel/4 le+ "e0 o, NARCO' 4en"& ;-o ;en" "o Su"e/%!lle,
Q01on4 C!"2L ?< 96: TTS4". Bel/4 4%e P?0.00 0/8e+ 1!ll "o S4". An! ;-!.- ;& "o 1e u&e+ !n "-e
1u2$1u&" ope/"!onL ?7 9<: upon "-e //!%l o, "-e NARCO' 4en"& !n Su"e/%!lle, Q01on4 C!"2, S4". An!
p/o.ee+e+ "o "-e -ou&e o, "-e ppelln" ;-!le &o0e 4en"& &"2e+ !n "-e %e-!.le& n+ o"-e/& po&!"!one+
"-e0&el%e& !n &"/"e4!. pl.e&L ?7 "-e ppelln" 0e" S4". An! n+ n eI.-n4e o, /"!.le& "oo8 pl.e. ?9
T-e .o//o1o/"!%e "e&"!0on2 o, TTS4". Bel/4 &"/en4"-en& "-e +!/e." e%!+en.e 4!%en 12 S4". An!.
A++!"!onll2, "-e Cou/" -& /ule+ "-" "-e ,." "-" "-e pol!.e oE.e/& ;-o ..o0pn!e+ "-e po&eu/$1u2e/
;e/e un1le "o &ee eI."l2 ;-" "-e ppelln" 4%e "-e po&eu/$1u2e/ 1e.u&e o, "-e!/ +!&"n.e o/ po&!"!on
;!ll no" 1e ,"l "o "-e p/o&e.u"!onA& .&e =0 p/o%!+e+ "-e/e eI!&"& o"-e/ e%!+en.e, +!/e." o/ .!/.u0&"n"!l,
e.4., "-e "e&"!0on2 o, "-e po&eu/$1u2e/, ;-!.- !& &uE.!en" "o p/o%e "-e .on&u00"!on o, "-e &le o, "-e
p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4. .+ll
T-e ppelln" neI" &&!l& "-e &e!Mu/e n+ +0!&&!on & e%!+en.e o, pl&"!. 14 .on"!n!n4 0/!Fun
;-!.- "-e NARCO' 4en"& ,oun+ !n "-e ppelln"A& 8!".-en. I" ppe/& "-" ,"e/ S4". An! 4%e "-e p/e$
//n4e+ &!4nl "o "-e o"-e/ NARCO' 4en"&, "-e l""e/ 0o%e+ !n n+ //e&"e+ "-e ppelln" !n&!+e "-e
-ou&e. T-e2 &e/.-e+ -!0 "o /e"/!e%e "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 1u" +!+nA" Bn+ !". @pon 1e!n4 Hue&"!one+, "-e
ppelln" &!+ "-" -e 4%e "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 "o -!& ;!,e. =1 T-e/e,"e/, TTS4". Bel/4 n+ S4". Le4o
;en" "o "-e 8!".-en n+ no"!.e+ ;-" TTS4". Bel/4 +e&./!1e+ & J.ellop-ne .olo/e+ ;-!"e n+ &"/!pe
-n4!n4 " "-e .o/ne/ o, "-e 8!".-en.J =? T-e2 &8e+ "-e ppelln" 1ou" !"& .on"en"& 1u" ,!l!n4 "o 4e"
/e&pon&e, "-e2 opene+ !" n+ ,oun+ +/!e+ 0/!Fun le%e&. A" "-e "/!l, "-e ppelln" Hue&"!one+ "-e
+0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e pl&"!. 14 n+ "-e 0/!Fun !" .on"!n& 1u" "-e "/!l .ou/" !&&ue+ n O/+e/ /ul!n4 "-"
"-e&e /e +0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e. ==
Bu!l" !n"o "-e Con&"!"u"!on /e 4u/n"ee& on "-e ,/ee+o0 o, e%e/2 !n+!%!+ul 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& 12 p/o%!+!n4 !n A/"!.le III, Se."!on ?, "-e ,ollo;!n45
JT-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/&, n+ e#e."& 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no &e/.- ;//n"
o/ ;//n" o, //e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2 12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/
eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&& -e 02 p/o+u.e, n+
p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J
Fu/"-e/0o/e, "-e Con&"!"u"!on, !n .on,o/0!"2 ;!"- "-e +o."/!ne l!+ +o;n !n S"one-!ll %. )!o8no, => +e.l/e&
!n+0!&&!1le, n2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, "-e ,/ee+o0 ,/o0 un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e&.
=6
G-!le %l!+ &e/.- ;//n" !& 4ene/ll2 ne.e&&/2 1e,o/e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 02 1e e#e."e+,
eI.ep"!on& "o "-!& /ule /e /e.o4n!Me+. T-u&, !n Al%e/o %. )!Mon, =< "-e Cou/" &""e+ "-" J["]-e 0o&"
!0po/"n" eI.ep"!on "o "-e ne.e&&!"2 ,o/ &e/.- ;//n" !& "-e /!4-" o, &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e & n !n.!+en"
"o l;,ul //e&".J =7
Rule 1?<, Se."!on 1? o, "-e Rule& o, Cou/" eIp/e&&l2 u"-o/!Me& ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e !n.!+en"
"o l;,ul //e&", "-u&5
SECTION 1?. Se/.- !n.!+en" "o l;,ul //e&". N A pe/&on l;,ull2 //e&"e+ 02 1e &e/.-e+ ,o/
+n4e/ou& ;epon& o/ n2"-!n4 ;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & p/oo, o, "-e .o00!&&!on o, n o#en&e, ;!"-ou"
&e/.- ;//n".
T-e/e !& no +ou1" "-" "-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&" u"-o/!Me& "-e //e&"!n4 oE.e/
"o 08e &e/.- upon "-e pe/&on o, "-e pe/&on //e&"e+. A& e/l2 & 1909, "-e Cou/" -& /ule+ "-" J[]n
oE.e/ 08!n4 n //e&" 02 "8e ,/o0 "-e pe/&on //e&"e+ n+ 0one2 o/ p/ope/"2 ,oun+ upon -!& pe/&on
;-!.- ;& u&e+ !n "-e .o00!&&!on o, "-e ./!0e o/ ;& "-e ,/u!" o, "-e ./!0e o/ ;-!.- 0!4-" ,u/n!&- "-e
p/!&one/ ;!"- "-e 0en& o, .o00!""!n4 %!olen.e o/ o, e&.p!n4, o/ ;-!.- 02 1e u&e+ & e%!+en.e !n "-e
"/!l o, "-e .u&e.J =7 Hen.e, !n 1u2$1u&" ope/"!on .on+u."e+ "o en"/p +/u4$pu&-e/, "-e l;
en,o/.e0en" 4en"& 02 &e!Me "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 ,oun+ on "-e pe/&on o, "-e pu&-e/ !00e+!"el2 ,"e/
"-e //e&" e%en ;!"-ou" //e&" n+ &e/.- ;//n"&. =9
In "-e .&e " 1/, "-e NARCO' 4en"& &e/.-e+ "-e pe/&on o, "-e ppelln" ,"e/ //e&"!n4 -!0 !n -!&
-ou&e 1u" ,oun+ no"-!n4. T-e2 "-en &e/.-e+ "-e en"!/e -ou&e n+, !n "-e 8!".-en, ,oun+ n+ &e!Me+
pl&"!. 14 -n4!n4 !n .o/ne/. LLFu/
T-e ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e, & n !n.!+en" "o &u&pe."A& l;,ul //e&", 02 eI"en+ 1e2on+ "-e
pe/&on o, "-e one //e&"e+ "o !n.lu+e "-e p/e0!&e& o/ &u//oun+!n4& un+e/ -!& !00e+!"e .on"/ol. >0
O1Fe."& !n "-e Jpl!n %!e;J o, n oE.e/ ;-o -& "-e /!4-" "o 1e !n "-e po&!"!on "o -%e "-" %!e; /e
&u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e n+ 02 1e p/e&en"e+ & e%!+en.e. >1
In (e/ %. Cl!,o/n!, >? pol!.e oE.e/&, ;!"-ou" &e.u/!n4 &e/.- ;//n" 1u" -%!n4 !n,o/0"!on "-" "-e
+e,en+n" -u&1n+ ;& &ell!n4 0/!Fun ,/o0 -!& p/"0en", o1"!ne+ ,/o0 "-e 1u!l+!n4 0n4e/
p&&8e2 "o +e,en+n"&A p/"0en", n+ en"e/e+ !". T-e/e "-e2 ,oun+ "-e +e,en+n" -u&1n+ !n "-e l!%!n4
/oo0. T-e +e,en+n" ;!,e e0e/4e+ ,/o0 "-e 8!".-en, n+ one o, "-e oE.e/&, ,"e/ !+en"!,2!n4 -!0&el,,
o1&e/%e+ "-/ou4- "-e open +oo/;2 o, "-e 8!".-en, &0ll &.le "op "-e 8!".-en &!n8, upon ;-!.- l2
1/!.8$&-pe+ p.84e .on"!n!n4 4/een le,2 &u1&"n.e ;-!.- -e /e.o4n!Me+ & 0/!Fun. T-e p.84e
o, 0/!Fun ;& u&e+ & e%!+en.e !n p/o&e.u"!n4 +e,en+n"& ,o/ %!ol"!on o, "-e N/.o"!. L;. T-e
+0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e p.84e ;& .-llen4e+ 1e,o/e "-e @.S. Sup/e0e Cou/", ;-!.- -el+, ,"e/ o1&e/%!n4
"-" !" ;& no" un/e&on1le ,o/ "-e oE.e/ "o ;l8 "o "-e +oo/;2 o, "-e +F.en" 8!".-en on &ee!n4 "-e
+e,en+n" ;!,e e0e/4e "-e/e,/o0, "-" J"-e +!&.o%e/2 o, "-e 1/!.8 o, 0/!Fun +!+ no" .on&"!"u"e
&e/.-, &!n.e "-e oE.e/ 0e/el2 &; ;-" ;& pl.e+ 1e,o/e -!0 !n ,ull %!e;.J >= T-e @.S. Sup/e0e Cou/"
/ule+ "-" "-e ;//n"le&& &e!Mu/e o, "-e 0/!Fun ;& le4l on "-e 1&!& o, "-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne n+
up-el+ "-e +0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e &e!Me+ +/u4& & p/" o, "-e p/o&e.u"!onA& e%!+en.e. >>
T-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne 02 no", -o;e%e/, 1e u&e+ "o lun.- un1/!+le+ &e/.-e& n+ !n+!&./!0!n"e
&e!Mu/e& no/ "o eI"en+ 4ene/l eIplo/"o/2 &e/.- 0+e &olel2 "o Bn+ e%!+en.e o, +e,en+n"A& 4u!l". T-e
Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne !& u&ull2 ppl!e+ ;-e/e pol!.e oE.e/ !& no" &e/.-!n4 ,o/ e%!+en.e 4!n&" "-e
..u&e+, 1u" none"-ele&& !n+%e/"en"l2 .o0e& ./o&& n !n./!0!n"!n4 o1Fe.". >6 Fu/"-e/0o/e, "-e @.S.
Sup/e0e Cou/" &""e+ "-e ,ollo;!n4 l!0!""!on& on "-e ppl!."!on o, "-e +o."/!ne5
JG-" "-e Apl!n %!e;A .&e& -%e !n .o00on !& "-" "-e pol!.e oE.e/ !n e.- o, "-e0 -+ p/!o/
Fu&"!B."!on ,o/ n !n"/u&!on !n "-e .ou/&e o, ;-!.- -e .0e !n+%e/"en"l2 ./o&& p!e.e o, e%!+en.e
!n./!0!n"!n4 "-e ..u&e+. T-e +o."/!ne &e/%e& "o &upple0en" "-e p/!o/ Fu&"!B."!on N ;-e"-e/ !" 1e
;//n" ,o/ no"-e/ o1Fe.", -o" pu/&u!", &e/.- !n.!+en" "o l;,ul //e&", o/ &o0e o"-e/ le4!"!0"e /e&on
,o/ 1e!n4 p/e&en" un.onne."e+ ;!"- &e/.- +!/e."e+ 4!n&" "-e ..u&e+ N n+ pe/0!"& "-e ;//n"le&&
&e!Mu/e. O, .ou/&e, "-e eI"en&!on o, "-e o/!4!nl Fu&"!B."!on !& le4!"!0"e onl2 ;-e/e !" !& !00e+!"el2
pp/en" "o "-e pol!.e "-" "-e2 -%e e%!+en.e 1e,o/e "-e0L "-e Apl!n %!e;A +o."/!ne 02 no" 1e u&e+ "o
eI"en+ 4ene/l eIplo/"o/2 &e/.- ,/o0 one o1Fe." "o no"-e/ un"!l &o0e"-!n4 !n./!0!n"!n4 " l&"
e0e/4e&.J ><
I" -& l&o 1een &u44e&"e+ "-" e%en !, n o1Fe." !& o1&e/%e+ !n Jpl!n %!e;,J "-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne ;!ll
no" Fu&"!,2 "-e &e!Mu/e o, "-e o1Fe." ;-e/e "-e !n./!0!n"!n4 n"u/e o, "-e o1Fe." !& no" pp/en" ,/o0 "-e
Jpl!n %!e;J o, "-e o1Fe.". >7 S""e+ +!#e/en"l2, !" 0u&" 1e !00e+!"el2 pp/en" "o "-e pol!.e "-" "-e
!"e0& "-" "-e2 o1&e/%e 02 1e e%!+en.e o, ./!0e, .on"/1n+, o/ o"-e/;!&e &u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e.
In "-e !n&"n" .&e, "-e ppelln" ;& //e&"e+ n+ -!& pe/&on &e/.-e+ !n "-e l!%!n4 /oo0. F!l!n4 "o
/e"/!e%e "-e 0/8e+ 0one2 ;-!.- "-e2 -ope+ "o Bn+, "-e NARCO' 4en"& &e/.-e+ "-e ;-ole -ou&e n+
,oun+ "-e pl&"!. 14 !n "-e 8!".-en. T-e pl&"!. 14 ;&, "-e/e,o/e, no" ;!"-!n "-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;J ;-en
"-e2 //e&"e+ "-e ppelln" & "o Fu&"!,2 !"& &e!Mu/e. T-e NARCO' 4en"& -+ "o 0o%e ,/o0 one po/"!on o,
"-e -ou&e "o no"-e/ 1e,o/e "-e2 &!4-"e+ "-e pl&"!. 14. @nl!8e (e/ %. Cl!,o/n!, ;-e/e "-e pol!.e oE.e/
-+ /e&on "o ;l8 "o "-e +oo/;2 o, "-e +F.en" 8!".-en n+ ,/o0 ;-!.- po&!"!on -e &; "-e 0/!Fun,
"-e NARCO' 4en"& !n "-!& .&e ;en" ,/o0 /oo0 "o /oo0 ;!"- "-e o1%!ou& !n"en"!on o, B&-!n4 ,o/ 0o/e
e%!+en.e.
'o/eo%e/, ;-en "-e NARCO' 4en"& &; "-e pl&"!. 14 -n4!n4 !n one .o/ne/ o, "-e 8!".-en, "-e2 -+
no .lue & "o !"& .on"en"&. T-e2 -+ "o &8 "-e ppelln" ;-" "-e 14 .on"!ne+. G-en "-e ppelln"
/e,u&e+ "o /e&pon+, "-e2 opene+ !" n+ ,oun+ "-e 0/!Fun. @nl!8e (e/ %. Cl!,o/n!, ;-e/e "-e 0/!Fun
;& %!&!1le "o "-e pol!.e oE.e/A& e2e&, "-e NARCO' 4en"& !n "-!& .&e .oul+ no" -%e +!&.o%e/e+ "-e
!n.ulp"o/2 n"u/e o, "-e .on"en"& o, "-e 14 -+ "-e2 no" ,o/.!1l2 opene+ !". E%en &&u0!n4 "-en, "-"
"-e NARCO' 4en"& !n+%e/"en"l2 .0e ./o&& "-e pl&"!. 14 1e.u&e !" ;& ;!"-!n "-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;,J
;-" 02 1e &!+ "o 1e "-e o1Fe." !n "-e!/ Jpl!n %!e;J ;& Fu&" "-e pl&"!. 14 n+ no" "-e 0/!Fun. T-e
!n./!0!n"!n4 n"u/e o, "-e .on"en"& o, "-e pl&"!. 14 ;& no" !00e+!"el2 pp/en" ,/o0 "-e Jpl!n
%!e;J o, &!+ o1Fe.". I" .nno" 1e .l!0e+ "-" "-e pl&"!. 14 .le/l2 1e"/2e+ !"& .on"en"&, ;-e"-e/ 12 !"&
+!&"!n."!%e .onB4u/"!on, !"& "/n&p/en.2, o/ o"-e/;!&e, "-" !"& .on"en"& /e o1%!ou& "o n o1&e/%e/. >7
Ge, "-e/e,o/e, -ol+ "-" un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e& o, "-e .&e, "-e Jpl!n %!e;J +o."/!ne +oe& no" ppl2 n+
"-e 0/!Fun .on"!ne+ !n "-e pl&"!. 14 ;& &e!Me+ !lle4ll2 n+ .nno" 1e p/e&en"e+ !n e%!+en.e
pu/&un" "o A/"!.le III, Se."!on =9?: o, "-e Con&"!"u"!on. .+/ep
T-e eI.lu&!on o, "-!& p/"!.ul/ e%!+en.e +oe& no", -o;e%e/, +!0!n!&-, !n n2 ;2, "-e +04!n4 e#e." o,
"-e o"-e/ p!e.e& o, e%!+en.e p/e&en"e+ 12 "-e p/o&e.u"!on "o p/o%e "-" "-e ppelln" &ol+ 0/!Fun, !n
%!ol"!on o, A/"!.le II, Se."!on > o, "-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& A." o, 197?. Ge -ol+ "-" 12 %!/"ue o, "-e
"e&"!0on!e& o, S4". An! n+ TTS4". Bel/4 n+ "-e ";o ;/pp!n4& o, 0/!Fun &ol+ 12 "-e ppelln" "o
S4". An!, 0on4 o"-e/ p!e.e& o, e%!+en.e, "-e 4u!l" o, "-e ppelln" o, "-e ./!0e .-/4e+ -& 1een p/o%e+
1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1".
GHEREFORE, "-e ppel !& )IS'ISSE) n+ "-e Fu+40en" o, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" AFFIR'E).
SO OR)ERE).
Gu"!e//eM, J/., B!+!n, )%!+e, J/. n+ 'elo, JJ ., .on.u/.
[G.R. No. 11=>>7. O."o1e/ 9, 1997.]
ALAIN 'ANALILI 2 )IQON, pe"!"!one/, %&. CO@RT OF APPEALS n+ PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
/e&pon+en"&.
SKNOPSIS
Al!n 'nl!l! 2 )!Mon ;& .-/4e+ ;!"- %!ol"!on o, Se."!on 7, A/"!.le II o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6. A,"e/
"/!l, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" o, Cloo.n C!"2 /en+e/e+ +e.!&!on .on%!."!n4 ppelln" o, !lle4l
po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun /e&!+ue. T-e ..u&e+ ;& &en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ !0p/!&on0en" o, &!I 2e/& n+ one
+2 n+ "o p2 Bne o, P<,000.00 n+ "o p2 "-e .o&"&. T-e .on%!."!on o, pe"!"!one/ ;& 1&e+ on "-e
&"/en4"- o, "-e //e&"!n4 oE.e/&A "e&"!0on2. On ppel, "-e Cou/" o, Appel& ,oun+ no p/oo, "-" "-e
+e.!&!on o, "-e "/!l .ou/" ;& 1&e+ on &pe.ul"!on&, &u/0!&e& o/ .onFe."u/e&. Hen.e, "-!& pe"!"!on ,o/
/e%!e; on .e/"!o//! un+e/ Rule >6 o, "-e Rule& o, Cou/", &ee8!n4 "-e /e%e/&l o, "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e Cou/"
o, Appel&. .+&!
T-e Sup/e0e Cou/" E/0e+ "-e &&!le+ +e.!&!on ;!"- 0o+!B."!on & "o "-e !0po&1le penl"2. T-e
Cou/" -el+ "-" "-e &e/.- 0+e ;& %l!+, 1e!n4 8!n "o &"op$n+$,/!&8. T-e 4ene/l /ule !& "-" &e/.-
n+ &e!Mu/e 0u&" 1e %l!+"e+ 12 p/e%!ou&l2 &e.u/e+ Fu+!.!l ;//n"L o"-e/;!&e, &u.- &e/.- n+
&e!Mu/e !& un.on&"!"u"!onl n+ &u1Fe." "o .-llen4e. T-!& /!4-", -o;e%e/ !& no" 1&olu"e. S"op$n+$,/!&8 -&
l/e+2 1een +op"e+ & no"-e/ eI.ep"!on "o "-e 4ene/l /ule 4!n&" &e/.- ;!"-ou" ;//n".
SKLLAB@S
1. POLITICAL LAGL SEARCH AN) SEIQ@REL STOP$AN)$FRIS(L )EFINE) AN) CONSTR@E)L GHEN
A(IN TO A DALI) SEARCH. N T-e Cou/" -el+ "-" "-e &e/.- ;& %l!+, 1e!n4 8!n "o &"op$n+$,/!&8. In
"-e ln+0/8 .&e o, Te//2 %&. O-!o, 9?0 L E+ ?+ 779L 77 S C" 17<7, =9? @S 1, 900 June 10, 19<7: &"op$
n+$,/!&8 ;& +eBne+ & "-e %e/n.ul/ +e&!4n"!on o, "-e /!4-" o, pol!.e oE.e/ "o &"op .!"!Men on "-e
&"/ee", !n"e//o4"e -!0, n+ p" -!0 ,o/ ;epon9&:5 J. . . 9G:-e/e pol!.e oE.e/ o1&e/%e& n unu&ul
.on+u." ;-!.- le+& -!0 /e&on1l2 "o .on.lu+e !n l!4-" o, -!& eIpe/!en.e "-" ./!0!nl ."!%!"2 02 1e
,oo" n+ "-" "-e pe/&on& ;!"- ;-o0 -e !& +el!n4 02 1e /0e+ n+ p/e&en"l2 +n4e/ou&, ;-e/e !n "-e
.ou/&e o, !n%e&"!4"!n4 "-!& 1e-%!o/ -e !+en"!Be+ -!0&el, & pol!.e0n n+ 08e& /e&on1le !nHu!/!e&,
n+ ;-e/e no"-!n4 !n "-e !n!"!l &"4e& o, "-e en.oun"e/ &e/%e& "o +!&pel -!& /e&on1le ,e/ ,o/ -!& o;n o/
o"-e/&A &,e"2, -e !& en"!"le+ ,o/ "-e p/o"e."!on o, -!0&el, n+ o"-e/& !n "-e /e "o .on+u." ./e,ull2
l!0!"e+ &e/.- o, "-e ou"e/ .lo"-!n4 o, &u.- pe/&on& !n n ""e0p" "o +!&.o%e/ ;epon& ;-!.- 0!4-" 1e
u&e+ "o &&ul" -!0. Su.- &e/.- !& /e&on1le &e/.- un+e/ "-e Fou/"- A0en+0en", n+ n2 ;epon
&e!Me+ 02 p/ope/l2 1e !n"/o+u.e+ !n e%!+en.e 4!n&" "-e pe/&on ,/o0 ;-o0 "-e2 ;e/e "8en.J .+&!
?. I).L I).L '@ST BE DALI)ATE) BK A PREDIO@SLK SEC@RE) J@)ICIAL GARRANTL EFFECT OF
ABSENCE THEREOF. N In P-!l!pp!ne Fu/!&p/u+en.e, "-e 4ene/l /ule !& "-" &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 0u&" 1e
%l!+"e+ 12 p/e%!ou&l2 &e.u/e+ Fu+!.!l ;//n"L o"-e/;!&e, &u.- &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e !& un.on&"!"u"!onl
n+ &u1Fe." "o .-llen4e. Se."!on ?, A/"!.le III o, "-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on, 4!%e& "-!& 4u/n"ee. An2 e%!+en.e
o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, "-e 0en"!one+ p/o%!&!on !& le4ll2 !n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e & J,/u!" o, "-e
po!&onou& "/ee,J ,ll!n4 un+e/ "-e eI.lu&!on/2 /ule5 JSEC. =. . . . 9?: An2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, .
. . "-e p/e.e+!n4 &e."!on &-ll 1e !n+0!&&!1le ,o/ n2 pu/po&e !n n2 p/o.ee+!n4.J
=. I).L I).L I).L RECOGNIQE) ESCEPTIONS. N T-!& /!4-", -o;e%e/, !& no" 1&olu"e. T-e /e.en" .&e o,
People %&. L.en, G.R. No. 109?60, Sep"e01e/ 6, 1997, enu0e/"e+ B%e /e.o4n!Me+ eI.ep"!on& "o "-e
/ule 4!n&" ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e, %!M.5 J91: &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul //e&", 9?: &e/.- o,
0o%!n4 %e-!.le&, 9=: &e!Mu/e !n pl!n %!e;, 9>: .u&"o0& &e/.-, n+ 96: ;!%e/ 12 "-e ..u&e+ "-e0&el%e&
o, "-e!/ /!4-" 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e.J In People %&. En.!n+, G.R. No. 11<7?0, O."o1e/
?, 1997, "-e Cou/" ,u/"-e/ eIpl!ne+ "-" J[!]n "-e&e .&e&, "-e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 02 1e 0+e onl2 ;!"-
p/o11le .u&e & "-e e&&en"!l /eHu!/e0en". Al"-ou4- "-e "e/0 elu+e& eI." +eBn!"!on, p/o11le .u&e
,o/ &e/.- !&, " 1e&", +eBne+ & /e&on1le 4/oun+ o, &u&p!.!on, &uppo/"e+ 12 .!/.u0&"n.e&
&uE.!en"l2 &"/on4 !n "-e0&el%e& "o ;//n" .u"!ou& 0n !n "-e 1el!e, "-" "-e pe/&on ..u&e+ !& 4u!l"2
o, "-e o#en&e ;!"- ;-!.- -e !& .-/4e+L o/ "-e eI!&"en.e o, &u.- ,."& n+ .!/.u0&"n.e& ;-!.- .oul+ le+
/e&on1l2 +!&./ee" n+ p/u+en" 0n "o 1el!e%e "-" n o#en&e -& 1een .o00!""e+ n+ "-" "-e
!"e09&:, /"!.le9&: o/ o1Fe."9&: &ou4-" !n .onne."!on ;!"- &!+ o#en&e o/ &u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e n+ +e&"/u."!on
12 l; !& !n "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+.J S"op$n+$,/!&8 -& l/e+2 1een +op"e+ & no"-e/ eI.ep"!on "o
"-e 4ene/l /ule 4!n&" &e/.- ;!"-ou" ;//n". In Po&+& %&. Cou/" o, Appel&, 177 SCRA ?77, ?9?$
?9=, Au4u&" ?, 1990, "-e Cou/" -el+ "-" "-e/e ;e/e 0n2 !n&"n.e& ;-e/e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e .oul+ 1e
e#e."e+ ;!"-ou" ne.e&&/!l2 1e!n4 p/e.e+e+ 12 n //e&", one o, ;-!.- ;& &"op$n+$,/!&8. In &!+ .&e,
0e01e/& o, "-e In"e4/"e+ N"!onl Pol!.e o, )%o &"oppe+ pe"!"!one/, ;-o ;& .//2!n4 1u/! 14 n+
."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2. T-e2 ,oun+ !n&!+e pe"!"!one/A& 14 one .=7$.l. /e%ol%e/ ;!"- ";o /oun+& o, l!%e
00un!"!on, ";o l!%e 00un!"!on& ,o/ .??$.l. 4un n+ "e/ 4& 4/en+e. In up-ol+!n4 "-e le4l!"2 o,
"-e &e/.-, "-e Cou/" &!+ "-" "o /eHu!/e "-e pol!.e oE.e/& "o &e/.- "-e 14 onl2 ,"e/ "-e2 -+ o1"!ne+
&e/.- ;//n" 0!4-" p/o%e "o 1e u&ele&&, ,u"!le n+ 0u.- "oo l"e un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e&. In &u.-
&!"u"!on, !" ;& /e&on1le ,o/ pol!.e oE.e/ "o &"op &u&p!.!ou& !n+!%!+ul 1/!eC2 !n o/+e/ "o +e"e/0!ne
-!& !+en"!"2 o/ "o 0!n"!n "-e &""u& Huo ;-!le o1"!n!n4 0o/e !n,o/0"!on, /"-e/ "-n "o &!0pl2 &-/u4
-!& &-oul+e/& n+ llo; ./!0e "o o..u/.
>. I).L I).L RIGHT AGAINST @NREASONABLE SEARCHL RER@IRE'ENTS FOR GAIDER THEREOFL CASE
AT BAR. N A %l!+ ;!%e/ o, /!4-", 0o/e p/"!.ul/l2 o, "-e .on&"!"u"!onl /!4-" 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-, /eHu!/e& "-e .on.u//en.e o, "-e ,ollo;!n4 /eHu!/e0en"&5 91: "-e /!4-" "o 1e ;!%e+ eI!&"e+L 9?: "-e
pe/&on ;!%!n4 !" -+ 8no;le+4e, ."ul o/ .on&"/u."!%e, "-e/eo,L n+ 9=: -e o/ &-e -+ n ."ul !n"en"!on
"o /el!nHu!&- "-e /!4-". O"-e/;!&e, "-e Cou/"& ;!ll !n+ul4e e%e/2 /e&on1le p/e&u0p"!on 4!n&" ;!%e/ o,
,un+0en"l &,e4u/+& n+ ;!ll no" +e+u.e .Hu!e&.en.e ,/o0 "-e ,!lu/e "o eIe/.!&e "-!& ele0en"/2
/!4-". In "-e p/e&en" .&e, -o;e%e/, pe"!"!one/ !& +ee0e+ "o -%e ;!%e+ &u.- /!4-" ,o/ -!& ,!lu/e "o /!&e
!"& %!ol"!on 1e,o/e "-e "/!l .ou/". In pe"!"!on& un+e/ Rule >6, & +!&"!n4u!&-e+ ,/o0 n o/+!n/2 ppel o,
./!0!nl .&e& ;-e/e "-e ;-ole .&e !& opene+ ,o/ /e%!e;, "-e ppel !& 4ene/ll2 l!0!"e+ "o "-e e//o/&
&&!4ne+ 12 pe"!"!one/. I&&ue& no" /!&e+ 1elo; .nno" 1e ple+e+ ,o/ "-e B/&" "!0e on ppel.
6. RE'E)IAL LAGL EDI)ENCEL TESTI'ONKL CRE)IBILITK OF GITNESSESL ASSESS'ENT BK THE TRIAL
CO@RTL ACCOR)E) GREAT GEIGHT AN) RESPECTL ESCEPTION. N T!0e n+ 4!n, "-!& Cou/" -& /ule+
"-" "-e "/!l .ou/"A& &&e&&0en" o, "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o, ;!"ne&&e&, p/"!.ul/l2 ;-en E/0e+ 12 "-e Cou/" o,
Appel& & !n "-!& .&e, !& ..o/+e+ 4/e" ;e!4-" n+ /e&pe.", &!n.e !" -+ "-e oppo/"un!"2 "o o1&e/%e "-e!/
+e0eno/ n+ +epo/"0en" & "-e2 "e&"!Be+ 1e,o/e !". @nle&& &u1&"n"!l ,."& n+ .!/.u0&"n.e& -%e
1een o%e/loo8e+ o/ 0!&pp/e.!"e+ 12 "-e "/!l .ou/" ;-!.-, !, .on&!+e/e+, ;oul+ 0"e/!ll2 #e." "-e
/e&ul" o, "-e .&e, "-e Cou/" ;!ll no" .oun"enn.e +ep/"u/e ,/o0 "-!& /ule.
<. I).L I).L FRA'E$@PL LI(E ALIBI IS DIEGE) GITH )ISFADOR BK THE CO@RT. N T-e pe"!"!one/A&
+e,en&e o, ,/0e$up, l!8e l!1!, !& %!e;e+ 12 "-!& Cou/" ;!"- +!&,%o/ 1e.u&e !" !& e&2 "o .on.o." n+
,1/!."e.
7. CRI'INAL LAGL ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF PROHIBITE) )R@GSL ELE'ENTS. N T-e ele0en"& o,
!lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun /e5 9: "-e ..u&e+ !& !n po&&e&&!on o, n !"e0 o/ o1Fe." ;-!.- !& !+en"!Be+
"o 1e p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4L 91: &u.- po&&e&&!on !& no" u"-o/!Me+ 12 l;L n+ 9.: "-e ..u&e+ ,/eel2 n+
.on&.!ou&l2 po&&e&&e+ "-e &!+ +/u4.
7. I).L I).L I'POSABLE PENALTK. N T-e "/!l n+ "-e ppell"e .ou/"& o%e/loo8e+ "-e In+e"e/0!n"e
Sen"en.e L; 9A." No. >10=, & 0en+e+: 12 &en"en.!n4 pe"!"!one/ "o &"/!4-" penl"2 o, &!I 2e/& n+
one +2 o, !0p/!&on0en", &!+e ,/o0 "-e !0po&e+ Bne o, &!I "-ou&n+ pe&o&. T-!& A." /eHu!/e& "-e
!0po&!"!on o, n !n+e"e/0!n"e penl"2. T-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& L;, R.A. <>?6, & 0en+e+ 12 B.P. 179,
!0po&e& "-e ,ollo;!n4 penl"2 ,o/ !lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun5 JSe.. 7. . . . T-e penl"2 o,
!0p/!&on0en" /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o ";el%e 2e/& n+ Bne /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I "-ou&n+ "o
";el%e "-ou&n+ pe&o& &-ll 1e !0po&e+ upon n2 pe/&on ;-o, unle&& u"-o/!Me+ 12 l;, &-ll po&&e&& o/
u&e In+!n -e0p.J P/e&.!n+!n4 ,/o0 "-e ,o/e4o!n4, "-e Cou/" -ol+& "-" "-e p/ope/ penl"2 !& n
!n+e"e/0!n"e &en"en.e o, !0p/!&on0en" /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o ";el%e 2e/&. AS)TE
) E C I S I O N
PANGANIBAN, J p5
G-en +el!n4 ;!"- /p!+l2 un,ol+!n4 n+ po"en"!ll2 ./!0!nl &!"u"!on !n "-e .!"2 &"/ee"& ;-e/e
un/4u1l2 "-e/e !& no "!0e "o &e.u/e n //e&" o/ &e/.- ;//n", pol!.e0en &-oul+ e0plo2 l!0!"e+,
CeI!1le /e&pon&e& N l!8e J&"op$n+$,/!&8J N ;-!.- /e 4/+u"e+ !n /el"!on "o "-e 0oun" o, !n,o/0"!on
"-e2 po&&e&&, "-e l;0en 1e!n4 e%e/ %!4!ln" "o /e&pe." n+ no" "o %!ol"e o/ "o "/e" .%l!e/l2 "-e
.!"!MenA& .on&"!"u"!onl /!4-"& 4!n&" un/e&on1le //e&", &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e.
T-e C&e
T-!& /ule !& /e!"e/"e+ & ;e /e&ol%e "-!& pe"!"!on ,o/ /e%!e; on .e/"!o//! un+e/ Rule >6 o, "-e Rule& o,
Cou/", &ee8!n4 "-e /e%e/&l o, "-e )e.!&!on o, "-e Cou/" o, Appel& +"e+ Ap/!l 19, 199= n+ !"& Re&olu"!on
+"e+ Jnu/2 ?0, 199> !n CA G.R. CR No. 07?<<, en"!"le+ JPeople o, "-e P-!l!pp!ne& %&. Al!n 'nl!l! 2
)!Mon.J
In n In,o/0"!on +"e+ Ap/!l 11, 1977, 1 Pe"!"!one/ Al!n 'nl!l! 2 )!Mon ;& .-/4e+ 12 A&&!&"n"
Cloo.n C!"2 F!&.l E. Jun R. Bu"!&" ;!"- %!ol"!on o, Se."!on 7, A/"!.le II o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6,
lle4e+l2 .o00!""e+ & ,ollo;&5 ?
JT-" on o/ 1ou" "-e 11"- +2 o, Ap/!l 1977 !n Cloo.n C!"2, '', P-!l!pp!ne& n+ ;!"-!n "-e Fu/!&+!."!on
o, "-!& Hono/1le Cou/", "-e 1o%e$n0e+ ..u&e+ ;!"-ou" n2 u"-o/!"2 o, l;, +!+ "-en n+ "-e/e
;!ll,ull2, unl;,ull2 n+ ,elon!ou&l2 -%e !n -!& .u&"o+2, po&&e&&!on n+ .on"/ol ./u&-e+ 0/!Fun /e&!+ue,
;-!.- !& p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4 n+ 8no;!n4 "-e &0e "o 1e &u.-.
Con"//2 "o L;.J
@pon -!& //!4n0en" on Ap/!l ?1, 1977, ppelln" ple+e+ Jno" 4u!l"2J "o "-e .-/4e. = G!"- "-e
4/ee0en" o, "-e pu1l!. p/o&e.u"o/, ppelln" ;& /ele&e+ ,"e/ Bl!n4 P10,000.00 1!l 1on+. > A,"e/
"/!l !n +ue .ou/&e, "-e Re4!onl T/!l Cou/" o, Cloo.n C!"2, B/n.- 1?>, ."!n4 & Spe.!l C/!0!nl
Cou/", /en+e/e+ on '2 19, 1979 +e.!&!on 6 .on%!."!n4 ppelln" o, !lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun
/e&!+ue. T-e +!&po&!"!%e po/"!on o, "-e +e.!&!on /e+&5 <
JGHEREFORE, !n %!e; o, ll "-e ,o/e4o!n4, "-!& Cou/" Bn+& "-e ..u&e+ ALAIN 'ANALILI K )IQON 4u!l"2
1e2on+ /e&on1le +ou1" o, %!ol"!on o, Se."!on 7, A/"!.le II, o, Repu1l!. A." No. <>?6, & 0en+e+ 9Ille4l
Po&&e&&!on o, '/!Fun /e&!+ue:, n+ -e/e12 &en"en.e& 9&!.: &!+ ..u&e+ "o &u#e/ !0p/!&on0en" o, SIS
9<: KEARS n+ ONE 91: )AKL n+ "o p2 Bne o, P<,000.00L n+ "o p2 "-e .o&"&.
III III IIIJ
Appelln" /e0!ne+ on p/o%!&!onl l!1e/"2. 7 A""2. BenF0!n RMon, .oun&el ,o/ "-e +e,en&e, Ble+ No"!.e
o, Appel 7 +"e+ '2 =1, 1979. On Ap/!l 19, 199=, Re&pon+en" Cou/" 9 p/o0ul4"e+ !"& &&!le+
)e.!&!on, +en2!n4 "-e ppel n+ E/0!n4 "-e "/!l .ou/"5 10
JACCOR)INGLK, "-e +e.!&!on ppele+ ,/o0 +"e+ '2 19, 1979 !& -e/e12 AFFIR'E) !n ll /e&pe."&. Co&"&
4!n&" ppelln".J
Re&pon+en" Cou/" 11 +en!e+ /e.on&!+e/"!on %! !"& &&!le+ Re&olu"!on +"e+ Jnu/2 ?0, 199>, +!&po&!n45
JACCOR)INGLK, ..u&e+$ppelln"A& 0o"!on ,o/ /e.on&!+e/"!on !&, & !& -e/e12 )ENIE).J
T-e F."&
De/&!on o, "-e P/o&e.u"!on
T-e ,."&, & ,oun+ 12 "-e "/!l .ou/", /e & ,ollo;&5 1?
JA" 1ou" ?510 oA.lo.8 !n "-e ,"e/noon o, Ap/!l 11, 1977, pol!.e0en ,/o0 "-e An"!$N/.o"!.& @n!" o, "-e
(loo8n C!"2 Pol!.e S""!on ;e/e .on+u."!n4 &u/%e!lln.e lon4 A. '1!n! &"/ee", (loo8n C!"2, !n ,/on"
o, "-e (loo8n C!"2 Ce0e"e/2. T-e pol!.e0en ;e/e P". Ro0eo E&p!/!"u n+ P". An4e/ Lu01& n+
+/!%e/ n0e+ A/nol+ En/!HueM ;& +/!%!n4 T0/; %e-!.le ;-!.- ;& "-e oE.!l ./ o, "-e Pol!.e
S""!on o, (loo8n C!"2. T-e &u/%e!lln.e ;& 1e!n4 0+e 1e.u&e o, !n,o/0"!on "-" +/u4 ++!."& ;e/e
/o0!n4 "-e /e !n ,/on" o, "-e (loo8n C!"2 Ce0e"e/2.
@pon /e.-!n4 "-e (loo8n C!"2 Ce0e"e/2, "-e pol!.e0en l!4-"e+ ,/o0 "-e!/ %e-!.le. T-e2 "-en .-n.e+
upon 0le pe/&on !n ,/on" o, "-e .e0e"e/2 ;-o ppe/e+ -!4- on +/u4&. T-e 0le pe/&on ;& o1&e/%e+
"o -%e /e++!&- e2e& n+ "o 1e ;l8!n4 !n &;2!n4 0nne/. G-en "-!& 0le pe/&on "/!e+ "o %o!+ "-e
pol!.e0en, "-e l""e/ pp/o.-e+ -!0 n+ !n"/o+u.e+ "-e0&el%e& & pol!.e oE.e/&. T-e pol!.e0en "-en
&8e+ "-e 0le pe/&on ;-" -e ;& -ol+!n4 !n -!& -n+&. T-e 0le pe/&on "/!e+ "o /e&!&". P". Ro0eo
E&p!/!"u &8e+ "-e 0le pe/&on !, -e .oul+ &ee ;-" &!+ 0le pe/&on -+ !n -!& -n+&. T-e l""e/ &-o;e+
"-e ;lle" n+ llo;e+ P". Ro0eo E&p!/!"u "o eI0!ne "-e &0e. P". E&p!/!"u "oo8 "-e ;lle" n+
eI0!ne+ !". He ,oun+ &u&pe."e+ ./u&-e+ 0/!Fun /e&!+ue !n&!+e. He 8ep" "-e ;lle" n+ !"& 0/!Fun
.on"en"&. !&+.
T-e 0le pe/&on ;& "-en 1/ou4-" "o "-e An"!$N/.o"!.& @n!" o, "-e (loo8n C!"2 Pol!.e He+Hu/"e/& n+
;& "u/ne+ o%e/ "o Cpl. G!l,/e+o T0on+on4 ,o/ !n%e&"!4"!on. P". E&p!/!"u l&o "u/ne+ o%e/ "o Cpl.
T0on+on4 "-e .onB&."e+ ;lle" n+ !"& &u&pe."e+ 0/!Fun .on"en"&. T-e 0n "u/ne+ ou" "o 1e "-e
..u&e+ ALAIN 'ANALILI 2 )IQON.
@pon /e.e!p" o, "-e .onB&."e+ &u&pe."e+ 0/!Fun /e&!+ue ,/o0 P". E&p!/!"u, Cpl. T0on+on4 ;/ppe+
"-e &0e ;!"- ;-!"e &-ee" o, ppe/ on ;-!.- -e ;/o"e AE%!+en.e AAA >T11T77 Al!n 'nl!l!A. T-e ;-!"e
&-ee" o, ppe/ ;& 0/8e+ & EI-!1!" AE$=A. T-e /e&!+ue ;& o/!4!nll2 ;/ppe+ !n &0lle/ &-ee" o,
,ol+e+ ppe/. 9EI-!1!" AE$>A:.
Cpl. T0on+on4 neI" p/ep/e+ /e,e//l &l!p ++/e&&e+ "o "-e NBI Fo/en&!. C-e0!&"/2 Se."!on /eHue&"!n4
.-e0!.l nl2&!& o, "-e &u1Fe." 0/!Fun /e&!+ue 9EI-!1!" A)A:. Cpl. T0on+on4 "-e/e,"e/ p/ep/e+
Jo!n" AE+%!" o, "-e pp/e-en+!n4 pol!.e0en 9EI-!1!" AAA:. P". An4el Lu01& -n+.//!e+ "-e /e,e//l
&l!p 9EI-!1!" A)A: "o "-e N"!onl Bu/eu o, In%e&"!4"!on 9NBI:, !n.lu+!n4 "-e &u1Fe." 0/!Fun /e&!+ue ,o/
.-e0!.l nl2&!&. T-e &!4n"u/e o, P". Lu01& ppe/& on "-e le," 1o""o0 .o/ne/ o, EI-!1!" A)A.
T-e Fo/en&!. C-e0!&"/2 Se."!on o, "-e NBI /e.e!%e+ "-e ,o/e&!+ /e,e//l &l!p n+ "-e &u1Fe." 0/!Fun
/e&!+ue " 75>0 oA.lo.8 !n "-e e%en!n4 o, Ap/!l 11, 1977 & &-o;n on "-e &"0pe+ po/"!on o, EI-!1!" A)A.
I" ;& NBI A!+ P&.ul ;-o .on+u."e+ "-e 0!./o&.op!. n+ .-e0!.l eI0!n"!on& o, "-e &pe.!0en ;-!.-
&-e !+en"!Be+. 9EI-!1!" AEA: 1= '/&. P&.ul /e,e//e+ "o "-e &u1Fe." &pe.!0en & A./u&-e+ 0/!Fun le%e&A
!n -e/ Ce/"!B."!on +"e+ Ap/!l 11, 1977 9EI-!1!" AFA:. 1> T-e&e ./u&-e+ 0/!Fun le%e& 4%e po&!"!%e
/e&ul"& ,o/ 0/!Fun, ..o/+!n4 "o "-e Ce/"!B."e.
'/&. P&.ul l&o .on+u."e+ .-/o0"o4/p-!. eI0!n"!on o, "-e &pe.!0en. In "-!& eI0!n"!on, &-e
l&o ,oun+ "-" "-e A./u&-e+ 0/!Fun le%e&A 4%e po&!"!%e /e&ul"& ,o/ 0/!Fun. S-e "-en p/ep/e+
F!nl Repo/" o, -e/ eI0!n"!on& 9EI-!1!" AGA:.
A,"e/ .on+u."!n4 "-e eI0!n"!on&, '&. P&.ul pl.e+ "-e &pe.!0en !n ;-!"e le""e/$en%elope n+ &ele+
!". 9EI-!1!" AEA:. S-e "-en ;/o"e !+en"!B."!on no"e& on "-!& le""e/$en%elope. 9EI-!1!" AE$1A:.
P". Lu01& .//!e+ "-e Ce/"!B."!on 0/8e+ & EI-!1!" AFA ,/o0 "-e NBI Fo/en&!. C-e0!&"/2 Se."!on "o
Cpl. T0on+on4. @pon /e.e!p" "-e/eo,, Cpl. T0on+on4 p/ep/e+ /e,e//l &l!p ++/e&&e+ "o "-e C!"2
F!&.l o, (loo8n C!"2. 9EI-!1!" ACA:J
On /e1u""l, P". E&p!/!"u "e&"!Be+ "-" ppelln" ;& no" /!+!n4 "/!.2.le 1u" ;& ;l8!n4 !n ,/on" o, "-e
.e0e"e/2 ;-en -e ;& pp/e-en+e+. 16
De/&!on o, "-e )e,en&e
T-e "/!l .ou/" &u00/!Me+ "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e +e,en&e ;!"ne&&e& & ,ollo;&5 1<
JA" 1ou" ?500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e ,"e/noon o, Ap/!l 11, 1977, "-e ..u&e+ ALAIN 'ANALILI ;& 1o/+
"/!.2.le " A. '1!n! &"/ee" ne/ "-e (loo8n C!"2 Ce0e"e/2 on "-e ;2 "o -!& 1o/+!n4 -ou&e. T-/ee
pol!.e0en o/+e/e+ "-e +/!%e/ o, "-e "/!.2.le "o &"op 1e.u&e "-e "/!.2.le +/!%e/ n+ -!& lone p&&en4e/
;e/e un+e/ "-e !nCuen.e o, 0/!Fun. T-e pol!.e0en 1/ou4-" "-e ..u&e+ n+ "-e "/!.2.le +/!%e/ !n&!+e
"-e Fo/+ F!e/ ;-!.- "-e pol!.e0en ;e/e /!+!n4 !n. T-e pol!.e0en "-en 1o+!l2 &e/.-e+ "-e ..u&e+ n+
"-e "/!.2.le +/!%e/. A" "-!& po!n", "-e ..u&e+ &8e+ "-e pol!.e0en ;-2 -e ;& 1e!n4 &e/.-e+ n+ "-e
pol!.e0en /epl!e+ "-" -e 9..u&e+: ;& .//2!n4 0/!Fun. Ho;e%e/, no"-!n4 ;& ,oun+ on "-e pe/&on&
o, "-e ..u&e+ n+ "-e +/!%e/. T-e pol!.e0en llo;e+ "-e "/!.2.le +/!%e/ "o 4o ;-!le "-e2 1/ou4-" "-e
..u&e+ "o "-e pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/& " (loo8n C!"2 ;-e/e "-e2 &!+ "-e2 ;oul+ 4!n &e/.- "-e
..u&e+.
On "-e ;2 "o "-e pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/&, "-e ..u&e+ &; ne!4-1o/ n+ &!4nle+ "-e l""e/ "o ,ollo; -!0.
T-e ne!4-1o/ "-u& ,ollo;e+ "-e ..u&e+ "o "-e (loo8n C!"2 Pol!.e He+Hu/"e/&. @pon //!%l "-e/e",
"-e ..u&e+ ;& &8e+ "o /e0o%e -!& pn"& !n "-e p/e&en.e o, &!+ ne!4-1o/ n+ no"-e/ .o0pn!on. T-e
pol!.e0en "u/ne+ o%e/ "-e pn"& o, "-e ..u&e+ o%e/ p!e.e o, 1on+ ppe/ "/2!n4 "o loo8 ,o/ 0/!Fun.
Ho;e%e/, no"-!n4 ;& ,oun+, eI.ep" ,o/ &o0e +!/" n+ +u&". T-!& p/o0p"e+ "-e .o0pn!on o, "-e ne!4-1o/
o, "-e ..u&e+ "o "ell "-e pol!.e0en "o /ele&e "-e ..u&e+. T-e ..u&e+ ;& le+ "o .ell. T-e pol!.e0en
l"e/ "ol+ "-e ..u&e+ "-" "-e2 ,oun+ 0/!Fun !n&!+e "-e po.8e"& o, -!& pn"&.
A" 1ou" 6500 oA.lo.8 !n "-e ,"e/noon on "-e &0e +2, "-e ..u&e+ ;& 1/ou4-" ou"&!+e "-e .ell n+ ;&
le+ "o "-e Fo/+ F!e/. T-e ..u&e+ ;& "ol+ 12 "-e pol!.e0en "o .ll -!& p/en"& !n o/+e/ "o A&e""leA "-e
.&e. T-e pol!.e0en ;-o le+ "-e ..u&e+ "o "-e Fo/+ F!e/ ;e/e P". Lu01&, P". E&p!/!"u n+ Cpl.
T0on+on4. P". Lu01& ;& "-e pol!.e0n ;-o "ol+ "-e ..u&e+ "o .ll -!& p/en"&. T-e ..u&e+ +!+
no" .ll -!& p/en"& n+ -e "ol+ "-e pol!.e0en "-" -!& p/en"& +!+ no" -%e n2 "elep-one.
A" 1ou" 65=0 oA.lo.8 !n "-e ,"e/noon o, "-e &0e +2, "-e ..u&e+ ;& 1/ou4-" !n "-e oE.e o, n
!nHue&" F!&.l. T-e/e, "-e ..u&e+ "ol+ "-e F!&.l "-" no 0/!Fun ;& ,oun+ on -!& pe/&on 1u" "-e F!&.l
"ol+ "-e ..u&e+ no" "o &2 n2"-!n4. T-e ..u&e+ ;& "-en 1/ou4-" 1.8 "o "-e (loo8n C!"2 J!l.
Lo/e"o 'e+en!ll, "-e "/!.2.le +/!%e/ ;-o ;& lle4e+l2 ;!"- "-e ..u&e+ ;-en -e n+ "-e ..u&e+ ;e/e
&"oppe+ 12 pol!.e0en n+ "-en 1o+!l2 &e/.-e+ on Ap/!l 11, 1977, "e&"!Be+. He &!+ "-" "-e pol!.e0en
,oun+ no"-!n4 e!"-e/ on -!& pe/&on o/ on "-e pe/&on o, "-e ..u&e+ ;-en 1o"- ;e/e &e/.-e+ on Ap/!l 11,
1977.
Ro1e/"o A1e&, ne!4-1o/ o, "-e ..u&e+, "e&"!Be+ "-" -e ,ollo;e+ "-e ..u&e+ " "-e (loo8n C!"2
Pol!.e He+Hu/"e/& on Ap/!l 11, 1977. He &!+ "-" "-e pol!.e &e/.-e+ "-e ..u&e+ ;-o ;& 0+e "o
"8e o# -!& pn"& " "-e pol!.e -e+Hu/"e/& 1u" no 0/!Fun ;& ,oun+ on "-e 1o+2 o, "-e ..u&e+J.
Appelln", ;-o ;& /e.lle+ "o "-e &"n+ & &u/$/e1u""l ;!"ne&&, p/e&en"e+ &e%e/l p!."u/e& &-o;!n4 "-"
"/!.2.le& ;e/e llo;e+ "o pl2 !n ,/on" o, "-e Cloo.n Ce0e"e/2. 17
T-e Rul!n4& o, "-e T/!l n+ "-e Appell"e Cou/"&
T-e "/!l .ou/" .on%!."e+ pe"!"!one/ o, !lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun /e&!+ue l/4el2 on "-e &"/en4"- o, "-e
//e&"!n4 oE.e/& "e&"!0on2. P"/ol0en E&p!/!"u n+ Lu01& ;e/e Jneu"/l n+ +!&!n"e/e&"e+J ;!"ne&&e&,
"e&"!,2!n4 onl2 on ;-" "/n&p!/e+ +u/!n4 "-e pe/,o/0n.e o, "-e!/ +u"!e&. Su1&"n"!ll2, "-e2 &&e/"e+ "-"
"-e ppelln" ;& ,oun+ "o 1e !n po&&e&&!on o, &u1&"n.e ;-!.- ;& l"e/ !+en"!Be+ & ./u&-e+
0/!Fun /e&!+ue.
T-e "/!l .ou/" +!&1el!e%e+ ppelln"A& +e,en&e "-" "-!& .-/4e ;& 0e/el2 J"/u0pe+ up,J 1e.u&e "-e
ppelln" ne!"-e/ "oo8 n2 le4l ."!on 4!n&" "-e lle4e+l2 e//!n4 pol!.e0en no/ 0o%e+ ,o/
/e!n%e&"!4"!on 1e,o/e "-e .!"2 B&.l o, (loo8n C!"2.
On ppel, Re&pon+en" Cou/" ,oun+ no p/oo, "-" "-e +e.!&!on o, "-e "/!l .ou/" ;& 1&e+ on
&pe.ul"!on&, &u/0!&e& o/ .onFe."u/e&. On "-e lle4e+ J&e/!ou&J +!&./epn.!e& !n "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e
//e&"!n4 oE.e/&, "-e ppell"e .ou/" /ule+ "-" "-e &!+ !n.on&!&"en.!e& ;e/e !n&u1&"n"!l "o !0p!/ "-e
e&&en"!l %e/.!"2 o, "-e n//"!on. I" ,u/"-e/ ,oun+ pe"!"!one/A& .on"en"!on N "-" -e .oul+ no" 1e
.on%!."e+ o, !lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun /e&!+ue N "o 1e ;!"-ou" 0e/!", 1e.u&e "-e ,o/en&!. .-e0!&"
/epo/"e+ "-" ;-" &-e eI0!ne+ ;e/e 0/!Fun le%e&. .+
I&&ue&
Pe"!"!one/ &&!4n& "-e ,ollo;!n4 e//o/& on "-e p/" o, Re&pon+en" Cou/".
JI
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n up-ol+!n4 "-e Bn+!n4& o, ,." o, "-e "/!l .ou/".
II
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n up-ol+!n4 "-e .on%!."!on o, 9"-e: ..u&e+ 9n+: !n /ul!n4 "-" "-e 4u!l" o, "-e
..u&e+ -+ 1een p/o%e+ 91e2on+: /e&on1le +ou1".
III
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n no" /ul!n4 "-" "-e !n.on&!&"en.!e& !n "-e "e&"!0on!e& o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on
;!"ne&&e& ;e/e 0"e/!l n+ &u1&"n"!l n+ no" 0!no/.
ID
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n no" pp/e.!"!n4 "-e e%!+en.e "-" "-e ..u&e+ ;& ,/0e+ ,o/ "-e pu/po&e
o, eI"o/"!n4 0one2.
D
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n no" .Hu!""!n4 "-e ..u&e+ ;-en "-e e%!+en.e p/e&en"e+ !& .on&!&"en" ;!"-
1o"- !nno.en.e n+ 4u!l".
DI
T-e Cou/" o, Appel& e//e+ !n +0!""!n4 "-e e%!+en.e o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on ;-!.- /e !n+0!&&!1le !n
e%!+en.e.J
Re&""e+ 0o/e .on.!&el2, pe"!"!one/ Hue&"!on& 91: "-e +0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e e%!+en.e 4!n&" -!0, 9?: "-e
./e+!1!l!"2 o, p/o&e.u"!on ;!"ne&&e& n+ "-e /eFe."!on 12 "-e "/!l n+ "-e ppell"e .ou/"& o, "-e +e,en&e
o, eI"o/"!on, n+ 9=: "-e &uE.!en.2 o, "-e p/o&e.u"!on e%!+en.e "o &u&"!n -!& .on%!."!on.
T-e Cou/"A& Rul!n4
T-e pe"!"!on -& no 0e/!".
F!/&" I&&ue5 A+0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e E%!+en.e Se!Me+
)u/!n4 S"op$n+$F/!&8
Pe"!"!one/ p/o"e&"& "-e +0!&&!on o, "-e 0/!Fun le%e& ,oun+ !n -!& po&&e&&!on, .on"en+!n4 "-" "-e2
;e/e p/o+u."& o, n !lle4l &e/.-. T-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/l, !n -!& Co00en" +"e+ Jul2 6, 199>, ;-!.- ;&
+op"e+ & 0e0o/n+u0 ,o/ /e&pon+en", .oun"e/& "-" "-e !n+0!&&!1!l!"2 o, "-e 0/!Fun le%e& ;&
;!%e+ 1e.u&e pe"!"!one/ ne%e/ /!&e+ "-!& !&&ue !n "-e p/o.ee+!n4& 1elo; no/ +!+ -e o1Fe." "o "-e!/
+0!&&!1!l!"2 !n e%!+en.e. He ++& "-", e%en &&u0!n4 /4uen+o "-" "-e/e ;& no ;!%e/, "-e &e/.-
;& le4l 1e.u&e !" ;& !n.!+en"l "o ;//n"le&& //e&" un+e/ Se."!on 6 9:, Rule 11= o, "-e Rule& o,
Cou/".
Ge +!&4/ee ;!"- pe"!"!one/ n+ -ol+ "-" "-e &e/.- ;& %l!+, 1e!n4 8!n "o &"op$n+$,/!&8. In "-e
ln+0/8 .&e o, Te//2 %&. O-!o, 17 &"op$n+$,/!&8 ;& +eBne+ & "-e %e/n.ul/ +e&!4n"!on o, "-e /!4-"
o, pol!.e oE.e/ "o &"op .!"!Men on "-e &"/ee", !n"e//o4"e -!0, n+ p" -!0 ,o/ ;epon9&:5
J. . . 9G:-e/e pol!.e oE.e/ o1&e/%e& n unu&ul .on+u." ;-!.- le+& -!0 /e&on1l2 "o .on.lu+e !n l!4-"
o, -!& eIpe/!en.e "-" ./!0!nl ."!%!"2 02 1e ,oo" n+ "-" "-e pe/&on& ;!"- ;-o0 -e !& +el!n4 02 1e
/0e+ n+ p/e&en"l2 +n4e/ou&, ;-e/e !n "-e .ou/&e o, !n%e&"!4"!n4 "-!& 1e-%!o/ -e !+en"!Be+ -!0&el, &
pol!.e0n n+ 08e& /e&on1le !nHu!/!e&, n+ ;-e/e no"-!n4 !n "-e !n!"!l &"4e& o, "-e en.oun"e/
&e/%e& "o +!&pel -!& /e&on1le ,e/ ,o/ -!& o;n o/ o"-e/&A &,e"2, -e !& en"!"le+ ,o/ "-e p/o"e."!on o,
-!0&el, n+ o"-e/& !n "-e /e "o .on+u." ./e,ull2 l!0!"e+ &e/.- o, "-e ou"e/ .lo"-!n4 o, &u.- pe/&on&
!n n ""e0p" "o +!&.o%e/ ;epon& ;-!.- 0!4-" 1e u&e+ "o &&ul" -!0. Su.- &e/.- !& /e&on1le
&e/.- un+e/ "-e Fou/"- A0en+0en", n+ n2 ;epon &e!Me+ 02 p/ope/l2 1e !n"/o+u.e+ !n e%!+en.e
4!n&" "-e pe/&on ,/o0 ;-o0 "-e2 ;e/e "8en.J 19
In llo;!n4 &u.- &e/.-, "-e @n!"e+ S""e& Sup/e0e Cou/" -el+ "-" "-e !n"e/e&" o, e#e."!%e ./!0e
p/e%en"!on n+ +e"e."!on llo;& pol!.e oE.e/ "o pp/o.- pe/&on, !n pp/op/!"e .!/.u0&"n.e& n+
0nne/, ,o/ pu/po&e& o, !n%e&"!4"!n4 po&&!1le ./!0!nl 1e-%!o/ e%en "-ou4- "-e/e !& !n&uE.!en"
p/o11le .u&e "o 08e n ."ul //e&". T-!& ;& "-e le4!"!0"e !n%e&"!4"!%e ,un."!on ;-!.- OE.e/
'.F++en +!&.-/4e+ !n "-" .&e, ;-en -e pp/o.-e+ pe"!"!one/ n+ -!& .o0pn!on ;-o0 -e o1&e/%e+
"o -%e -o%e/e+ l"e/n"el2 1ou" &"/ee" .o/ne/ ,o/ n eI"en+e+ pe/!o+ o, "!0e, ;-!le no" ;!"!n4 ,o/
n2oneL pu&e+ "o &"/e !n "-e &0e &"o/e ;!n+o; /ou4-l2 ?> "!0e&L n+ .on,e//e+ ;!"- "-!/+ pe/&on. I"
;oul+ -%e 1een &lopp2 pol!.e ;o/8 ,o/ n oE.e/ o, =0 2e/& eIpe/!en.e "o -%e ,!le+ "o !n%e&"!4"e "-!&
1e-%!o/ ,u/"-e/.
In +0!""!n4 !n e%!+en.e ";o 4un& &e!Me+ +u/!n4 "-e &"op$n+$,/!&8, "-e @S Sup/e0e Cou/" -el+ "-" ;-"
Fu&"!Be+ "-e l!0!"e+ &e/.- ;& "-e 0o/e !00e+!"e !n"e/e&" o, "-e pol!.e oE.e/ !n "8!n4 &"ep& "o &&u/e
-!0&el, "-" "-e pe/&on ;!"- ;-o0 -e ;& +el!n4 ;& no" /0e+ ;!"- ;epon "-" .oul+ uneIpe."e+l2
n+ ,"ll2 1e u&e+ 4!n&" -!0.
I" +!+ no", -o;e%e/, 1n+on "-e /ule "-" "-e pol!.e 0u&", ;-ene%e/ p/."!.1le, o1"!n +%n.e Fu+!.!l
pp/o%l o, &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& "-/ou4- "-e ;//n" p/o.e+u/e, eI.u&e+ onl2 12 eI!4en" .!/.u0&"n.e&.
In P-!l!pp!ne Fu/!&p/u+en.e, "-e 4ene/l /ule !& "-" &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 0u&" 1e %l!+"e+ 12 p/e%!ou&l2
&e.u/e+ Fu+!.!l ;//n"L o"-e/;!&e, &u.- &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e !& un.on&"!"u"!onl n+ &u1Fe." "o .-llen4e.
?0 Se."!on ?, A/"!.le III o, "-e 1977 Con&"!"u"!on, 4!%e& "-!& 4u/n"ee5
JSEC. ?. T-e /!4-" o, "-e people "o 1e &e.u/e !n "-e!/ pe/&on&, -ou&e&, ppe/&, n+ e#e."& 4!n&"
un/e&on1le &e/.-e& n+ &e!Mu/e& o, ;-"e%e/ n"u/e n+ ,o/ n2 pu/po&e &-ll 1e !n%!ol1le, n+ no
&e/.- ;//n" o/ ;//n" o, //e&" &-ll !&&ue eI.ep" upon p/o11le .u&e "o 1e +e"e/0!ne+ pe/&onll2
12 "-e Fu+4e ,"e/ eI0!n"!on un+e/ o"- o/ E/0"!on o, "-e .o0pl!nn" n+ "-e ;!"ne&&e& -e 02
p/o+u.e, n+ p/"!.ul/l2 +e&./!1!n4 "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+ n+ "-e pe/&on& o/ "-!n4& "o 1e &e!Me+.J
An2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, "-e 0en"!one+ p/o%!&!on !& le4ll2 !n+0!&&!1le !n e%!+en.e &
J,/u!" o, "-e po!&onou& "/ee,J ,ll!n4 un+e/ "-e eI.lu&!on/2 /ule5
JSEC. =. . . .
9?: An2 e%!+en.e o1"!ne+ !n %!ol"!on o, . . . "-e p/e.e+!n4 &e."!on &-ll 1e !n+0!&&!1le ,o/ n2
pu/po&e !n n2 p/o.ee+!n4.J
T-!& /!4-", -o;e%e/, !& no" 1&olu"e. ?1 T-e /e.en" .&e o, People %&. L.e/n enu0e/"e+ B%e /e.o4n!Me+
eI.ep"!on& "o "-e /ule 4!n&" ;//n"le&& &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e, %!M.5 J91: &e/.- !n.!+en"l "o l;,ul
//e&", 9?: &e/.- o, 0o%!n4 %e-!.le&, 9=: &e!Mu/e !n pl!n %!e;, 9>: .u&"o0& &e/.-, n+ 96: ;!%e/ 12 "-e
..u&e+ "-e0&el%e& o, "-e!/ /!4-" 4!n&" un/e&on1le &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e.J ?? In People %&. En.!n+, ?=
"-e Cou/" ,u/"-e/ eIpl!ne+ "-" J[!n] "-e&e .&e&, "-e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e 02 1e 0+e onl2 ;!"- p/o11le
.u&e & "-e e&&en"!l /eHu!/e0en". Al"-ou4- "-e "e/0 elu+e& eI." +eBn!"!on, p/o11le .u&e ,o/
&e/.- !&, " 1e&", +eBne+ & /e&on1le 4/oun+ o, &u&p!.!on, &uppo/"e+ 12 .!/.u0&"n.e& &uE.!en"l2
&"/on4 !n "-e0&el%e& "o ;//n" .u"!ou& 0n !n "-e 1el!e, "-" "-e pe/&on ..u&e+ !& 4u!l"2 o, "-e
o#en&e ;!"- ;-!.- -e !& .-/4e+L o/ "-e eI!&"en.e o, &u.- ,."& n+ .!/.u0&"n.e& ;-!.- .oul+ le+
/e&on1l2 +!&./ee" n+ p/u+en" 0n "o 1el!e%e "-" n o#en&e -& 1een .o00!""e+ n+ "-" "-e !"e09&:,
/"!.le9&: o/ o1Fe."9&: &ou4-" !n .onne."!on ;!"- &!+ o#en&e o/ &u1Fe." "o &e!Mu/e n+ +e&"/u."!on 12 l; !&
!n "-e pl.e "o 1e &e/.-e+.J
S"op$n+$,/!&8 -& l/e+2 1een +op"e+ & no"-e/ eI.ep"!on "o "-e 4ene/l /ule 4!n&" &e/.-
;!"-ou" ;//n". In Po&+& %&. Cou/" o, Appel&, ?> "-e Cou/" -el+ "-" "-e/e ;e/e 0n2 !n&"n.e&
;-e/e &e/.- n+ &e!Mu/e .oul+ 1e e#e."e+ ;!"-ou" ne.e&&/!l2 1e!n4 p/e.e+e+ 12 n //e&", one o,
;-!.- ;& &"op$n+$,/!&8. In &!+ .&e, 0e01e/& o, "-e In"e4/"e+ N"!onl Pol!.e o, )%o &"oppe+
pe"!"!one/, ;-o ;& .//2!n4 1u/! 14 n+ ."!n4 &u&p!.!ou&l2. T-e2 ,oun+ !n&!+e pe"!"!one/A& 14 one .
=7$.l. /e%ol%e/ ;!"- ";o /oun+& o, l!%e 00un!"!on, ";o l!%e 00un!"!on& ,o/ .??$.l. 4un n+ "e/
4& 4/en+e. In up-ol+!n4 "-e le4l!"2 o, "-e &e/.-, "-e Cou/" &!+ "-" "o /eHu!/e "-e pol!.e oE.e/& "o
&e/.- "-e 14 onl2 ,"e/ "-e2 -+ o1"!ne+ &e/.- ;//n" 0!4-" p/o%e "o 1e u&ele&&, ,u"!le n+ 0u.-
"oo l"e un+e/ "-e .!/.u0&"n.e&. In &u.- &!"u"!on, !" ;& /e&on1le ,o/ pol!.e oE.e/ "o &"op
&u&p!.!ou& !n+!%!+ul 1/!eC2 !n o/+e/ "o +e"e/0!ne -!& !+en"!"2 o/ "o 0!n"!n "-e &""u& Huo ;-!le
o1"!n!n4 0o/e !n,o/0"!on, /"-e/ "-n "o &!0pl2 &-/u4 -!& &-oul+e/& n+ llo; ./!0e "o o..u/.
In "-e .&e " -n+, P"/ol0n E&p!/!"u n+ -!& .o0pn!on& o1&e/%e+ +u/!n4 "-e!/ &u/%e!lln.e "-"
ppelln" -+ /e+ e2e& n+ ;& ;o11l!n4 l!8e +/un8 lon4 "-e Cloo.n C!"2 Ce0e"e/2, ;-!.- ..o/+!n4
"o pol!.e !n,o/0"!on ;& popul/ -n4ou" o, +/u4 ++!."&. F/o0 -!& eIpe/!en.e & 0e01e/ o, "-e
An"!$N/.o"!.& @n!" o, "-e Cloo.n C!"2 Pol!.e, &u.- &u&p!.!ou& 1e-%!o/ ;& .-/."e/!&"!. o, +/u4 ++!."&
;-o ;e/e J-!4-.J T-e pol!.e0en "-e/e,o/e -+ &uE.!en" /e&on "o &"op pe"!"!one/ "o !n%e&"!4"e !, -e ;&
."ull2 -!4- on +/u4&. )u/!n4 &u.- !n%e&"!4"!on, "-e2 ,oun+ 0/!Fun !n pe"!"!one/A& po&&e&&!on5 ?6
JFISCAL RALAR5
R An+ ;-2 ;e/e 2ou .on+u."!n4 &u/%e!lln.e !n ,/on" o, "-e Cloo.n Ce0e"e/2, Sn4n+n,
Cloo.n C!"2O
A Be.u&e "-e/e ;e/e &o0e !n,o/0"!on& "-" &o0e +/u4 +epen+en"& ;e/e /o0!n4 /oun+ " A.
'1!n! S"/ee" !n ,/on" o, "-e Cloo.n Ce0e"e/2, Cloo.n C!"2.
III III III
R G-!le 2ou ;e/e .on+u."!n4 2ou/ &u/%e!lln.e, "o4e"-e/ ;!"- P". An4el Lu01& n+ one A/nol+
En/!HueM, ;-" -ppene+, !, n2O
A Ge .-n.e+ upon one 0le pe/&on "-e/e !n ,/on" o, "-e Cloo.n Ce0e"e/2 "-en ;-en ;e .lle+
-!& ""en"!on -e "/!e+ "o %o!+ u&, "-en p/o0p"!n4 u& "o pp/o.- -!0 n+ !n"/o+u.e ou/&el%e& & pol!.e
oE.e/& !n pol!"e 0nne/. .+"!
III III III
R Coul+ 2ou +e&./!1e "o u& "-e ppe/n.e o, "-" pe/&on ;-en 2ou .-n.e+ upon -!0O
A T-" pe/&on &ee0& l!8e -e !& -!4- on +/u4.
R Ho; ;e/e 2ou 1le "o &2 '/. G!"ne&& "-" "-" pe/&on "-" 2ou .-n.e+ upon ;& -!4- on +/u4O
A Be.u&e -!& e2e& ;e/e /e+ n+ -e ;& ;l8!n4 on &;2!n4 0nne/.
R G-" ;& -e +o!n4 !n p/"!.ul/ ;-en 2ou .-n.e+ upon -!0O
A He ;& /o0!n4 /oun+, &!/.
R Kou &!+ "-" -e %o!+e+ 2ou, ;-" +!+ 2ou +o ;-en -e %o!+e+ 2ouO
A Ge pp/o.-e+ -!0 n+ !n"/o+u.e+ ou/&el%e& & pol!.e oE.e/& !n pol!"e 0nne/, &!/.
R Ho; +!+ 2ou !n"/o+u.e 2ou/&el%e&O
A In pol!"e 0nne/, &!/.
R G-" +!+ 2ou &2 ;-en 2ou !n"/o+u.e+ 2ou/&el%e&O
A Ge &8e+ -!0 ;-" -e ;& -ol+!n4 !n -!& -n+&, &!/.
R An+ ;-" ;& "-e /e."!on o, "-e pe/&on ;-en 2ou &8e+ -!0 ;-" -e ;& -ol+!n4 !n -!& -n+&O
A He "/!e+ "o /e&!&", &!/.
R G-en -e "/!e+ "o /e&!&", ;-" +!+ 2ou +oO
A I /eHue&"e+ -!0 !, I .n &ee ;-" ;& -e ;& 9&!.: -ol+!n4 !n -!& -n+&.
R G-" ;& "-e n&;e/ o, "-e pe/&on upon 2ou/ /eHue&"O
A He llo;e+ 0e "o eI0!ne "-" &o0e"-!n4 !n -!& -n+&, &!/.
III III III
R G-" ;& -e -ol+!n4O
A He ;& -ol+!n4 -!& ;lle" n+ ;-en ;e opene+ !", "-e/e ;& 0/!Fun 9&!.: ./u&-e+ /e&!+ue.J
Fu/"-e/0o/e, ;e .on.u/ ;!"- "-e Sol!.!"o/ Gene/lA& .on"en"!on "-" pe"!"!one/ e#e."!%el2 ;!%e+ "-e
!n+0!&&!1!l!"2 o, n2 e%!+en.e !lle4ll2 o1"!ne+ ;-en -e Ble+ "o /!&e "-!& !&&ue o/ "o o1Fe." "-e/e"o
+u/!n4 "-e "/!l. A %l!+ ;!%e/ o, /!4-", 0o/e p/"!.ul/l2 o, "-e .on&"!"u"!onl /!4-" 4!n&" un/e&on1le
&e/.-, /eHu!/e& "-e .on.u//en.e o, "-e ,ollo;!n4 /eHu!/e0en"&5 91: "-e /!4-" "o 1e ;!%e+ eI!&"e+L 9?: "-e
pe/&on ;!%!n4 !" -+ 8no;le+4e, ."ul o/ .on&"/u."!%e, "-e/eo,L n+ 9=: -e o/ &-e -+ n ."ul !n"en"!on
"o /el!nHu!&- "-e /!4-". ?< O"-e/;!&e, "-e Cou/"& ;!ll !n+ul4e e%e/2 /e&on1le p/e&u0p"!on 4!n&" ;!%e/
o, ,un+0en"l &,e4u/+& n+ ;!ll no" +e+u.e .Hu!e&.en.e ,/o0 "-e ,!lu/e "o eIe/.!&e "-!& ele0en"/2
/!4-". In "-e p/e&en" .&e, -o;e%e/, pe"!"!one/ !& +ee0e+ "o -%e ;!%e+ &u.- /!4-" ,o/ -!& ,!lu/e "o /!&e
!"& %!ol"!on 1e,o/e "-e "/!l .ou/". In pe"!"!on& un+e/ Rule >6, & +!&"!n4u!&-e+ ,/o0 n o/+!n/2 ppel o,
./!0!nl .&e& ;-e/e "-e ;-ole .&e !& opene+ ,o/ /e%!e;, "-e ppel !& 4ene/ll2 l!0!"e+ "o "-e e//o/&
&&!4ne+ 12 pe"!"!one/. I&&ue& no" /!&e+ 1elo; .nno" 1e ple+e+ ,o/ "-e B/&" "!0e on ppel. ?7
Se.on+ I&&ue5 A&&e&&0en" o, E%!+en.e
Pe"!"!one/ l&o .on"en+& "-" "-e ";o //e&"!n4 oE.e/&A "e&"!0on2 .on"!ne+ Jpollu"e+, !//e.on.!l1le n+
uneIpl!ne+J .on"/+!."!on& ;-!.- +!+ no" &uppo/" pe"!"!one/A& .on%!."!on.
Ge +!&4/ee. T!0e n+ 4!n, "-!& Cou/" -& /ule+ "-" "-e "/!l .ou/"A& &&e&&0en" o, "-e ./e+!1!l!"2 o,
;!"ne&&e&, p/"!.ul/l2 ;-en E/0e+ 12 "-e Cou/" o, Appel& & !n "-!& .&e, !& ..o/+e+ 4/e" ;e!4-" n+
/e&pe.", &!n.e !" -+ "-e oppo/"un!"2 "o o1&e/%e "-e!/ +e0eno/ n+ +epo/"0en" & "-e2 "e&"!Be+ 1e,o/e
!". @nle&& &u1&"n"!l ,."& n+ .!/.u0&"n.e& -%e 1een o%e/loo8e+ o/ 0!&pp/e.!"e+ 12 "-e "/!l .ou/"
;-!.-, !, .on&!+e/e+, ;oul+ 0"e/!ll2 #e." "-e /e&ul" o, "-e .&e, ;e ;!ll no" .oun"enn.e +ep/"u/e
,/o0 "-!& /ule. ?7
Ge .on.u/ ;!"- Re&pon+en" Cou/"A& /ul!n45
J9e:%en &&u0!n4 & .on"en+e+ 12 ppelln" "-" "-e/e -+ 1een &o0e !n.on&!&"en.!e& !n "-e p/o&e.u"!on
;!"ne&&e&A "e&"!0on!e&, Ge +o no" Bn+ "-e0 &u1&"n"!l enou4- "o !0p!/ "-e e&&en"!l %e/.!"2 o, "-e!/
n//"!on. In People %&. A%!l, !" ;& -el+ "-" N JA& lon4 & "-e ;!"ne&&e& .on.u/ on "-e 0"e/!l po!n"&,
&l!4-" +!#e/en.e& !n "-e!/ /e0e01/n.e o, "-e +e"!l&, +o no" /eCe." on "-e e&&en"!l %e/.!"2 o, "-e!/
&""e0en"&.J
Ho;e%e/, ;e Bn+ "-", &!+e ,/o0 "-e p/e&u0p"!on o, /e4ul/!"2 !n "-e pe/,o/0n.e o, +u"2, "-e 1e&"o;l
o, ,ull ./e+en.e on P". E&p!/!"uA& "e&"!0on2 !& Fu&"!Be+ 12 "n4!1le e%!+en.e on /e.o/+. )e&p!"e P".
Lu01&A .on"/+!."o/2 "e&"!0on2, "-" o, E&p!/!"u !& &uppo/"e+ 12 "-e Jo!n" AE+%!" ?9 &!4ne+ 12 1o"-
//e&"!n4 pol!.e0en. T-e Hue&"!on o, ;-e"-e/ "-e 0/!Fun ;& ,oun+ !n&!+e pe"!"!one/A& ;lle" o/ !n&!+e
pl&"!. 14 !& !00"e/!l, .on&!+e/!n4 "-" pe"!"!one/ +!+ no" +en2 po&&e&&!on o, &!+ &u1&"n.e. F!lu/e
"o p/e&en" "-e ;lle" !n e%!+en.e +!+ no" ne4"e "-" 0/!Fun ;& ,oun+ !n pe"!"!one/A& po&&e&&!on. T-!&
&-o;& "-" &u.- .on"/+!."!on !& 0!no/ n+ +oe& no" +e&"/o2 E&p!/!"uA& ./e+!1!l!"2. =0
T-!/+ I&&ue5 SuE.!en.2 o, E%!+en.e
T-e ele0en"& o, !lle4l po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun /e5 9: "-e ..u&e+ !& !n po&&e&&!on o, n !"e0 o/ o1Fe."
;-!.- !& !+en"!Be+ "o 1e p/o-!1!"e+ +/u4L 91: &u.- po&&e&&!on !& no" u"-o/!Me+ 12 l;L n+ 9.: "-e
..u&e+ ,/eel2 n+ .on&.!ou&l2 po&&e&&e+ "-e &!+ +/u4. =1
T-e &u1&"n.e ,oun+ !n pe"!"!one/A& po&&e&&!on ;& !+en"!Be+ 12 NBI Fo/en&!. C-e0!&" A!+ P&.ul "o 1e
./u&-e+ 0/!Fun le%e&. Pe"!"!one/A& l.8 o, u"-o/!"2 "o po&&e&& "-e&e le%e& ;& e&"1l!&-e+. H!&
;/ene&& "-e/eo, ;& un+en!1le, .on&!+e/!n4 "-" pe"!"!one/ ;& -!4- on +/u4& ;-en &"oppe+ 12 "-e
pol!.e0en n+ "-" -e /e&!&"e+ ;-en &8e+ "o &-o; n+ !+en"!,2 "-e "-!n4 -e ;& -ol+!n4. Su.- 1e-%!o/
.le/l2 &-o;& "-" pe"!"!one/ 8ne; "-" -e ;& -ol+!n4 0/!Fun n+ "-" !" ;& p/o-!1!"e+ 12 l;. !&+.
Fu/"-e/0o/e, l!8e "-e "/!l n+ "-e ppell"e .ou/"&, ;e -%e no" 1een 4!%en &uE.!en" 4/oun+& "o 1el!e%e
"-e eI"o/"!on n4le !n "-!& .&e. Pe"!"!one/ +!+ no" Ble n2 +0!n!&"/"!%e o/ ./!0!nl .&e 4!n&" "-e
//e&"!n4 oE.e/& o/ p/e&en" n2 e%!+en.e o"-e/ "-n -!& 1/e .l!0. H!& /4u0en" "-" -e ,e/e+ ,o/ -!&
l!,e ;& l0e n+ un1el!e%1le, .on&!+e/!n4 "-" -e ;& /ele&e+ on 1!l n+ .on"!nue+ "o 1e on 1!l &
e/l2 & Ap/!l ?<, 1977. =? S!n.e "-en, -e .oul+ -%e 0+e "-e .-/4e !n /el"!%e &,e"2, & -e ;& no
lon4e/ !n "-e .u&"o+2 o, "-e pol!.e. H!& +e,en&e o, ,/0e$up, l!8e l!1!, !& %!e;e+ 12 "-!& Cou/" ;!"-
+!&,%o/, 1e.u&e !" !& e&2 "o .on.o." n+ ,1/!."e. ==
T-e P/ope/ Penl"2
T-e "/!l n+ "-e ppell"e .ou/"& o%e/loo8e+ "-e In+e"e/0!n"e Sen"en.e L; 9A." No. >10=, &
0en+e+: 12 &en"en.!n4 pe"!"!one/ "o &"/!4-" penl"2 o, &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 o, !0p/!&on0en", &!+e
,/o0 "-e !0po&e+ Bne o, &!I "-ou&n+ pe&o&. T-!& A." /eHu!/e& "-e !0po&!"!on o, n !n+e"e/0!n"e penl"25
JSEC. 1. He/e,"e/, !n !0po&!n4 p/!&on &en"en.e ,o/ n o#en&e pun!&-e+ 12 "-e Re%!&e+ Penl Co+e, o/
!"& 0en+0en"&, "-e .ou/" &-ll &en"en.e "-e ..u&e+ "o n !n+e"e/0!n"e &en"en.e "-e 0I!0u0 "e/0
o, ;-!.- &-ll 1e "-" ;-!.-, !n %!e; o, "-e ""en+!n4 .!/.u0&"n.e&, .oul+ 1e p/ope/l2 !0po&e+ un+e/ "-e
/ule& o, "-e &!+ Co+e, n+ "-e 0!n!0u0 ;-!.- &-ll 1e ;!"-!n "-e /n4e o, "-e penl"2 neI" lo;e/ "o "-"
p/e&./!1e+ 12 "-e Co+e ,o/ "-e o#en&eL n+ !, "-e o#en&e !& pun!&-e+ 12 n2 o"-e/ l;, "-e .ou/" &-ll
&en"en.e "-e ..u&e+ "o n !n+e"e/0!n"e &en"en.e, "-e 0I!0u0 "e/0 o, ;-!.- &-ll no" eI.ee+ "-e
0I!0u0 BIe+ 12 &!+ l; n+ "-e 0!n!0u0 &-ll no" 1e le&& "-n "-e 0!n!0u0 "e/0 p/e&./!1e+ 12 "-e
&0e. 9A& 0en+e+ 12 A." No. >??6.:
JSEC. ?. T-!& A." &-ll no" ppl2 "o pe/&on& .on%!."e+ o, o#en&e& pun!&-e+ ;!"- +e"- penl"2 o/ l!,e$
!0p/!&on0en"L "o "-o&e .on%!."e+ o, "/e&onL "o "-o&e .on%!."e+ o, 0!&p/!&!on o, "/e&on, /e1ell!on,
&e+!"!on o/ e&p!on4eL "o "-o&e .on%!."e+ o, p!/.2L "o "-o&e ;-o /e -1!"ul +el!nHuen"&L "o "-o&e ;-o
&-ll -%e e&.pe+ ,/o0 .onBne0en" o/ e%+e+ &en"en.eL "o "-o&e ;-o -%!n4 1een 4/n"e+ .on+!"!onl
p/+on 12 "-e C-!e, EIe.u"!%e &-ll -%e %!ol"e+ "-e "e/0& "-e/eo,L "o "-o&e ;-o&e 0I!0u0 "e/0 o,
!0p/!&on0en" +oe& no" eI.ee+ one 2e/, no" "o "-o&e l/e+2 &en"en.e+ 12 Bnl Fu+40en" " "-e "!0e o,
pp/o%l o, "-!& A.", eI.ep" & p/o%!+e+ !n Se."!on 6 -e/eo,.J 9E0p-&!& &uppl!e+:
T-e )n4e/ou& )/u4& L;, R.A. <>?6, & 0en+e+ 12 B.P. 179, !0po&e& "-e ,ollo;!n4 penl"2 ,o/ !lle4l
po&&e&&!on o, 0/!Fun5
JSe.. 7. . . .
T-e penl"2 o, !0p/!&on0en" /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o ";el%e 2e/& n+ Bne /n4!n4 ,/o0
&!I "-ou&n+ "o ";el%e "-ou&n+ pe&o& &-ll 1e !0po&e+ upon n2 pe/&on ;-o, unle&& u"-o/!Me+ 12 l;,
&-ll po&&e&& o/ u&e In+!n -e0p.J
P/e&.!n+!n4 ,/o0 "-e ,o/e4o!n4, "-e Cou/" -ol+& "-" "-e p/ope/ penl"2 !& n !n+e"e/0!n"e &en"en.e o,
!0p/!&on0en" /n4!n4 ,/o0 &!I 2e/& n+ one +2 "o ";el%e 2e/&. =>
GHEREFORE, "-e &&!le+ )e.!&!on n+ Re&olu"!on /e -e/e12 AFFIR'E) ;!"- 'O)IFICATION. Pe"!"!one/ !&
&en"en.e+ "o &u#e/ I'PRISON'ENT o, SIS 9<: KEARS, & 0!n!0u0, "o TGELDE 91?: KEARS, & 0I!0u0,
n+ "o PAK FINE o, SIS THO@SAN) PESOS. Co&"& 4!n&" pe"!"!one/.
SO OR)ERE).
N/%&, C .J ., Ro0e/o, 'elo n+ F/n.!&.o, JJ ., .on.u/
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
?N &N%
G.R. No. L-2%&'0 Fe()u*)" 28, 19'8
HON. RICR!O G. PP, *+ C,-e. o. Po/-0e o. M*n-/*1 HON. JUN PONCE ENRILE, *+ Co22-++-one) o.
Cu+3o2+1 PE!RO PCIS, *+ Co//e03o) o. Cu+3o2+ o. 3,e Po)3 o. M*n-/*1 *n4 MRTIN LGO, *+ P*3)o/2*n o.
3,e M*n-/* Po/-0e !e5*)32en3, petitione#s,
vs.
REME!IOS MGO *n4 HILRION U. JRENCIO, *+ P)e+-4-n6 Ju46e o. 7)*n0, 2&, Cou)3 o. F-)+3 In+3*n0e o.
M*n-/*, #espondents.
Office of the Solicitor General for petitioners.
uan T. !avid for respondents.
$L!I#R, J.:
This is an o#i$inal action fo# p#ohibition and certiorari, 9ith p#eli!ina#* in:unction filed b* Rica#do Papa, %hief of
Police of Manila7 )uan once ?n#ile, %o!!issione# of %usto!s7 Ped#o Pacis, %ollecto# of %usto!s of the Po#t of Manila7
and Ma#tin la$ao, a pat#ol!an of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, a$ainst Re!edios Ma$o and Hon. Hila#ion )a#encio,
P#esidin$ )ud$e of &#anch 1( of the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila, p#a*in$ fo# the annul!ent of the o#de# issued b*
#espondent )ud$e in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ of the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila unde# date of Ma#ch ', 3,/', 9hich
autho#i;ed the #elease unde# bond of ce#tain $oods 9hich 9e#e sei;ed and held b* petitione#s in connection 9ith the
enfo#ce!ent of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode, but 9hich 9e#e clai!ed b* #espondent Re!edios Ma$o, and to p#ohibit
#espondent )ud$e f#o! fu#the# p#oceedin$ in an* !anne# 9hatsoeve# in said %ivil %ase No. /'0,/. Pendin$ the
dete#!ination of this case this %ou#t issued a 9#it of p#eli!ina#* in:unction #est#ainin$ the #espondent )ud$e f#o!
e6ecutin$, enfo#cin$ and<o# i!ple!entin$ the Buestioned o#de# in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ and f#o! p#oceedin$ 9ith said
case.
Petitione# Ma#tin la$ao, head of the counte#-intelli$ence unit of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, actin$ upon a
#eliable info#!ation #eceived on Nove!be# (, 3,// to the effect that a ce#tain ship!ent of pe#sonal effects, alle$edl*
!isdecla#ed and unde#valued, 9ould be #eleased the follo9in$ da* f#o! the custo!s ;one of the po#t of Manila and
loaded on t9o t#uc"s, and upon o#de#s of petitione# Rica#do Papa, %hief of Police of Manila and a dul* deputi;ed a$ent
of the &u#eau of %usto!s, conducted su#veillance at $ate No. 3 of the custo!s ;one. Ahen the t#uc"s left $ate No. 3 at
about 05(- in the afte#noon of Nove!be# 0, 3,//, ele!ents of the counte#-intelli$ence unit 9ent afte# the t#uc"s and
inte#cepted the! at the $#ifina %i#cle, ?#!ita, Manila. The load of the t9o t#uc"s consistin$ of nine bales of $oods, and
the t9o t#uc"s, 9e#e sei;ed on inst#uctions of the %hief of Police. Epon investi$ation, a pe#son clai!ed o9ne#ship of the
$oods and sho9ed to the police!en a LState!ent and Receipts of Duties %ollected in Info#!al ?nt#* No. 30'-++-3L,
issued b* the &u#eau of %usto!s in the na!e of a ce#tain &ienvenido Na$uit.
%lai!in$ to have been p#e:udiced b* the sei;u#e and detention of the t9o t#uc"s and thei# ca#$o, Re!edios Ma$o
and Valentin &. 8anopa filed 9ith the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila a petition Lfo# mandamus 9ith #est#ainin$ o#de# o#
p#eli!ina#* in:unction, doc"eted as %ivil %ase No. /'0,/, alle$in$, a!on$ othe#s, that Re!edios Ma$o 9as the o9ne# of
the $oods sei;ed, havin$ pu#chased the! f#o! the Sta. Monica >#oce#* in San @e#nando, Pa!pan$a7 that she hi#ed the
t#uc"s o9ned b* Valentin 8anopa to t#anspo#t, the $oods f#o! said place to he# #esidence at 3/+' 8aon 8aan St.,
Sa!paloc, Manila7 that the $oods 9e#e sei;ed b* !e!be#s of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent 9ithout sea#ch 9a##ant
issued b* a co!petent cou#t7 that anila %hief of Police Rica#do Papa denied the #eBuest of counsel fo# Re!edios Ma$o
that the bales be not opened and the $oods contained the#ein be not e6a!ined7 that then %usto!s %o!!issione#
)acinto >avino had ille$all* assi$ned app#aise#s to e6a!ine the $oods because the $oods 9e#e no lon$e# unde# the
cont#ol and supe#vision of the %o!!issione# of %usto!s7 that the $oods, even assu!in$ the! to have been !isdecla#ed
and, unde#valued, 9e#e not sub:ect to sei;u#e unde# Section 1+(3 of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode because Re!edios
Ma$o had bou$ht the! f#o! anothe# pe#son 9ithout "no9led$e that the* 9e#e i!po#ted ille$all*7 that the bales had not
*et been opened, althou$h %hief of Police Papa had a##an$ed 9ith the %o!!issione# of %usto!s #e$a#din$ the
disposition of the $oods, and that unless #est#ained thei# constitutional #i$hts 9ould be violated and the* 9ould t#ul*
suffe# i##epa#able in:u#*. Hence, Re!edios Ma$o and Valentin 8anopa p#a*ed fo# the issuance of a #est#ainin$ o#de#, e"
parte, en:oinin$ the above-na!ed police and custo!s autho#ities, o# thei# a$ents, f#o! openin$ the bales and e6a!inin$
the $oods, and a 9#it of mandamus fo# the #etu#n of the $oods and the t#uc"s, as 9ell as a :ud$!ent fo# actual, !o#al
and e6e!pla#* da!a$es in thei# favo#.
On Nove!be# 3-, 3,//, #espondent )ud$e Hila#ion )a#encio issued an o#de# e" parte #est#ainin$ the #espondents
in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ M no9 petitione#s in the instant case befo#e this %ou#t M f#o! openin$ the nine bales in
Buestion, and at the sa!e ti!e set the hea#in$ of the petition fo# p#eli!ina#* in:unction on Nove!be# 3/, 3,//. Ho9eve#,
9hen the #est#ainin$ o#de# 9as #eceived b* he#ein petitione#s, so!e bales had al#ead* been opened b* the e6a!ine#s of
the &u#eau of %usto!s in the p#esence of officials of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, an assistant cit* fiscal and a
#ep#esentative of he#ein #espondent Re!edios Ma$o.
Ende# date of Nove!be# 3+, 3,//, Re!edios Ma$o filed an a!ended petition in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/, includin$
as pa#t* defendants %ollecto# of %usto!s Ped#o Pacis of the Po#t of Manila and 8t. Ma#tin la$ao of the Manila Police
Depa#t!ent. He#ein petitione#s 2defendants belo94 filed, on Nove!be# 10, 3,//, thei# Lns9e# 9ith Opposition to the
Issuance of a A#it of P#eli!ina#* In:unctionL, den*in$ the alle$ed ille$alit* of the sei;u#e and detention of the $oods and
the t#uc"s and of thei# othe# actuations, and alle$in$ special and affi#!ative defenses, to 9it5 that the %ou#t of @i#st
Instance of Manila had no :u#isdiction to t#* the case7 that the case fell 9ithin the e6clusive :u#isdiction of the %ou#t of Ta6
ppeals7 that, assu!in$ that the cou#t had :u#isdiction ove# the case, the petition stated no cause of action in vie9 of the
failu#e of Re!edios Ma$o to e6haust the ad!inist#ative #e!edies p#ovided fo# in the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode7 that the
&u#eau of %usto!s had not lost :u#isdiction ove# the $oods because the full duties and cha#$es the#eon had not been
paid7 that the !e!be#s of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent had the po9e# to !a"e the sei;u#e7 that the sei;u#e 9as not
un#easonable7 and the pe#sons deputi;ed unde# Section 11-( 2c4 of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode could effect sea#ch,
sei;u#es and a##ests in inland places in connection 9ith the enfo#ce!ent of the said %ode. In opposin$ the issuance of
the 9#it of p#eli!ina#* in:unction, he#ein petitione#s ave##ed in the cou#t belo9 that the 9#it could not be $#anted fo# the
#eason that Re!edios Ma$o 9as not entitled to the !ain #eliefs she p#a*ed fo#7 that the #elease of the $oods, 9hich 9e#e
sub:ect to sei;u#e p#oceedin$s unde# the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode, 9ould dep#ive the &u#eau of %usto!s of the autho#it*
to fo#feit the!7 and that Re!edios Ma$o and Valentin 8anopa 9ould not suffe# i##epa#able in:u#*. He#ein petitione#s
p#a*ed the cou#t belo9 fo# the liftin$ of the #est#ainin$ o#de#, fo# the denial of the issuance of the 9#it of p#eli!ina#*
in:unction, and fo# the dis!issal of the case.
t the hea#in$ on Dece!be# ,, 3,//, the lo9e# %ou#t, 9ith the confo#!it* of the pa#ties, o#de#ed that an invento#*
of the $oods be !ade b* its cle#" of cou#t in the p#esence of the #ep#esentatives of the clai!ant of the $oods, the &u#eau
of %usto!s, and the nti-S!u$$lin$ %ente# of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent. On Dece!be# 3(, 3,//, the above-na!ed
pe#sons filed a L%o!plianceL ite!i;in$ the contents of the nine bales.
He#ein #espondent Re!edios Ma$o, on Dece!be# 1(, 3,//, filed an e" parte !otion to #elease the $oods,
alle$in$ that since the invento#* of the $oods sei;ed did not sho9 an* a#ticle of p#ohibited i!po#tation, the sa!e should
be #eleased as pe# a$#ee!ent of the patties upon he# postin$ of the app#op#iate bond that !a* be dete#!ined b* the
cou#t. He#ein petitione#s filed thei# opposition to the !otion, alle$in$ that the cou#t had no :u#isdiction to o#de# the #elease
of the $oods in vie9 of the fact that the cou#t had no :u#isdiction ove# the case, and that !ost of the $oods, as sho9n in
the invento#*, 9e#e not decla#ed and 9e#e, the#efo#e, sub:ect to fo#feitu#e. supple!ental opposition 9as filed b* he#ein
petitione#s on )anua#* 3,, 3,/', alle$in$ that on )anua#* 31, 3,/' sei;u#e p#oceedin$s a$ainst the $oods had been
instituted b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s of the Po#t of Manila, and the dete#!ination of all Buestions affectin$ the disposal
of p#ope#t* p#oceeded a$ainst in sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s should the#eb* be left to the %ollecto# of %usto!s.
On )anua#* (-, 3,/', he#ein petitione#s filed a !anifestation that the esti!ated duties, ta6es and othe# cha#$es due on
the $oods a!ounted to P,+,''1.--. On @eb#ua#* 1, 3,/', he#ein #espondent Re!edios Ma$o filed an u#$ent
!anifestation and #eite#ation of the !otion fo# the #elease unde# bond of the $oods.
On Ma#ch ', 3,/', the #espondent )ud$e issued an o#de# #eleasin$ the $oods to he#ein #espondent Re!edios
Ma$o upon he# filin$ of a bond in the a!ount of P0-,---.--, and on Ma#ch 3(, 3,/', said #espondent filed the
co##espondin$ bond.
On Ma#ch 3(, 3,/', he#ein petitione# Rica#do Papa, on his o9n behalf, filed a !otion fo# #econside#ation of the
o#de# of the cou#t #eleasin$ the $oods unde# bond, upon the $#ound that the Manila Police Depa#t!ent had been di#ected
b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s of the Po#t of Manila to hold the $oods pendin$ te#!ination of the sei;u#e p#oceedin$s.
Aithout 9aitin$ fo# the cou#t=s action on the !otion fo# #econside#ation, and alle$in$ that the* had no plain, speed*
and adeBuate #e!ed* in the o#dina#* cou#se of la9, he#ein petitione#s filed the p#esent action fo# p#ohibition
and certiorari 9ith p#eli!ina#* in:unction befo#e this %ou#t. In thei# petition petitione#s alle$ed, a!on$ othe#s, that the
#espondent )ud$e acted 9ithout :u#isdiction in o#de#in$ the #elease to #espondent Re!edios Ma$o of the disputed $oods,
fo# the follo9in$ #easons5 234 the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila, p#esided b* #espondent )ud$e, had no :u#isdiction
ove# the case7 214 #espondent Re!edios Ma$o had no cause of action in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ of the %ou#t of @i#st
Instance of Manila due to he# failu#e to e6haust all ad!inist#ative #e!edies befo#e invo"in$ :udicial inte#vention7 2(4 the
>ove#n!ent 9as not estopped b* the ne$li$ent and<o# ille$al acts of its a$ent in not collectin$ the co##ect ta6es7 and 204
the bond fi6ed b* #espondent )ud$e fo# the #elease of the $oods 9as $#ossl* insufficient.
In due ti!e, the #espondents filed thei# ans9e# to the petition fo# p#ohibition and certiorari in this case. In thei#
ans9e#, #espondents alle$ed, a!on$ othe#s5 234 that it 9as 9ithin the :u#isdiction of the lo9e# cou#t p#esided b*
#espondent )ud$e to hea# and decide %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ and to issue the Buestioned o#de# of Ma#ch ', 3,/', because
said %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ 9as instituted lon$ befo#e sei;u#e, and identification p#oceedin$s a$ainst the nine bales of
$oods in Buestion 9e#e instituted b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s7 214 that petitione#s could no lon$e# $o afte# the $oods in
Buestion afte# the co##espondin$ duties and ta6es had been paid and said $oods had left the custo!s p#e!ises and 9e#e
no lon$e# 9ithin the cont#ol of the &u#eau of %usto!s7 2(4 that #espondent Re!edios Ma$o 9as pu#chase# in $ood faith
of the $oods in Buestion so that those $oods can not be the sub:ect of sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s7 204 that the
sei;u#e of the $oods 9as affected b* !e!be#s of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent at a place outside cont#ol of :u#isdiction
of the &u#eau of %usto!s and affected 9ithout an* sea#ch 9a##ant o# a 9a##ant of sei;u#e and detention7 2+4 that the
9a##ant of sei;u#e and detention subseBuentl* issued b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s is ille$al and unconstitutional, it not
bein$ issued b* a :ud$e7 2/4 that the sei;in$ office#s have no autho#it* to sei;e the $oods in Buestion because the* a#e
not a#ticles of p#ohibited i!po#tation7 2'4 that petitione#s a#e estopped to institute the p#esent action because the* had
a$#eed befo#e the #espondent )ud$e that the* 9ould not inte#pose an* ob:ection to the #elease of the $oods unde# bond
to ans9e# fo# 9hateve# duties and ta6es the said $oods !a* still be liable7 and 2.4 that the bond fo# the #elease of the
$oods 9as sufficient.
The p#incipal issue in the instant case is 9hethe# o# not, the #espondent )ud$e had acted 9ith :u#isdiction in
issuin$ the o#de# of Ma#ch ', 3,/' #eleasin$ the $oods in Buestion.
The &u#eau of %usto!s has the duties, po9e#s and :u#isdiction, a!on$ othe#s, 234 to assess and collect all la9ful
#evenues f#o! i!po#ted a#ticles, and all othe# dues, fees, cha#$es, fines and penalties, acc#uin$ unde# the ta#iff and
custo!s la9s7 214 to p#event and supp#ess s!u$$lin$ and othe# f#auds upon the custo!s7 and 2(4 to enfo#ce ta#iff and
custo!s la9s.
3
The $oods in Buestion 9e#e i!po#ted f#o! Hon$"on$, as sho9n in the LState!ent and Receipts of
Duties %ollected on Info#!al ?nt#*L.
1
s lon$ as the i!po#tation has not been te#!inated the i!po#ted $oods #e!ain
unde# the :u#isdiction of the &u#eau of custo!s. I!po#tation is dee!ed te#!inated onl* upon the pa*!ent of the duties,
ta6es and othe# cha#$es upon the a#ticles, o# secu#ed to be paid, at the po#t of ent#* and the le$al pe#!it fo# 9ithd#a9al
shall have been $#anted.
(
The pa*!ent of the duties, ta6es, fees and othe# cha#$es !ust be in full.
0
The #eco#d sho9s, b* co!pa#in$ the a#ticles and duties stated in the afo#esaid LState!ent and Receipts of Duties
%ollected on Info#!al ?nt#*L 9ith the !anifestation of the Office of the Solicito# >ene#al
+
9he#ein it is stated that the
esti!ated duties, ta6es and othe# cha#$es on the $oods sub:ect of this case a!ounted to P,+,''1.-- as evidenced b*
the #epo#t of the app#aise# of the &u#eau of %usto!s, that the duties, ta6es and othe# cha#$es had not been paid in full.
@u#the#!o#e, a co!pa#ison of the $oods on 9hich duties had been assessed, as sho9n in the LState!ent and Receipts
of Duties %ollected on Info#!al ?nt#*L and the Lco!plianceL ite!i;in$ the a#ticles found in the bales upon e6a!ination
and invento#*,
/
sho9s that the Buantit* of the $oods 9as unde#decla#ed, p#esu!abl* to avoid the pa*!ent of duties
the#eon. @o# e6a!ple, nne6 & 2the state!ent and #eceipts of duties collected4 states that the#e 9e#e 0- pieces of ladies=
s9eate#s, 9he#eas nne6 H 2the invento#* contained in the Lco!plianceL4 states that in bale No. 3 alone the#e 9e#e 01
do;ens and 3 piece of ladies= s9eate#s of asso#ted colo#s7 in nne6 &, onl* 3-- pieces of 9atch bands 9e#e assessed,
but in nne6 H, the#e 9e#e in bale No. 1, 1-, do;ens and + pieces of !en=s !etal 9atch bands 29hite4 and 31- do;ens
of !en=s !etal 9atch band 2$old colo#4, and in bale No. ', (1- do;ens of !en=s !etal 9atch bands 2$old colo#47 in nne6
&, 1- do;ens onl* of !en=s hand"e#chief 9e#e decla#ed, but in nne6 H it appea#s that the#e 9e#e 110 do;ens of said
$oods in bale No. 1, 31- do;ens in bale No. /, (.- do;ens in bale No. ', 11- do;ens in bale No. ., and anothe# 1--
do;ens in bale No. ,. The a#ticles contained in the nine bales in Buestion, 9e#e, the#efo#e, sub:ect to fo#feitu#e unde#
Section 1+(-, pa#s. e and !, 234, 2(4, 204, and 2+4 of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode. nd this %ou#t has held that
!e#chandise, the i!po#tation of 9hich is effected cont#a#* to la9, is sub:ect to fo#feitu#e,
'
and that $oods #eleased
cont#a#* to la9 a#e sub:ect to sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e.
.
?ven if it be $#anted, ar#uendo, that afte# the $oods in Buestion had been b#ou$ht out of the custo!s a#ea the
&u#eau of %usto!s had lost :u#isdiction ove# the sa!e, neve#theless, 9hen said $oods 9e#e inte#cepted at the $#ifina
%i#cle on Nove!be# 0, 3,// b* !e!be#s of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, actin$ unde# di#ections and o#de#s of thei#
%hief, Rica#do %. Papa, 9ho had been fo#!all* deputi;ed b* the %o!!issione# of %usto!s,
,
the &u#eau of %usto!s
had #e$ained :u#isdiction and custod* of the $oods. Section 31-/ of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode i!poses upon the
%ollecto# of %usto!s the dut* to hold possession of all i!po#ted a#ticles upon 9hich duties, ta6es, and othe# cha#$es
have not been paid o# secu#ed to be paid, and to dispose of the sa!e acco#din$ to la9. The $oods in Buestion, the#efo#e,
9e#e unde# the custod* and at the disposal of the &u#eau of %usto!s at the ti!e the petition fo# mandamus, doc"eted as
%ivil %ase No. /'0,/, 9as filed in the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila on Nove!be# ,, 3,//. The %ou#t of @i#st Instance
of Manila, the#efo#e, could not e6e#cise :u#isdiction ove# said $oods even if the 9a##ant of sei;u#e and detention of the
$oods fo# the pu#poses of the sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s had not *et been issued b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s.
The #ulin$ in the case of LAl$erto de o%a& et al. v. 'on. Gre#orio (antin, et al.,L >.R. No. 8-10-(', decided b* this
%ou#t on p#il 1', 3,/', is sBua#el* applicable to the instant case. In the !e o%a case, it appea#s that @#ancind*
%o!!e#cial of Manila bou$ht f#o! ?#ne#ose %o!!e#cial of %ebu %it* ,- bales of asso#ted te6tiles and #a$s, valued at
P33','(3.--, 9hich had been i!po#ted and ente#ed th#u the po#t of %ebu. ?#ne#ose %o!!e#cial shipped the $oods to
Manila on boa#d an inte#-island vessel. Ahen the $oods 9he#e about to leave the custo!s p#e!ises in Manila, on
Octobe# /, 3,/0, the custo!s autho#ities held the! fo# fu#the# ve#ification, and upon e6a!ination the $oods 9e#e found
to be diffe#ent f#o! the decla#ation in the ca#$o !anifest of the ca##*in$ vessel. @#ancind* %o!!e#cial subseBuentl*
de!anded f#o! the custo!s autho#ities the #elease of the $oods, asse#tin$ that it is a pu#chase# in $ood faith of those
$oods7 that a local pu#chase# 9as involved so the &u#eau of %usto!s had no #i$ht to e6a!ine the $oods7 and that the
$oods ca!e f#o! a coast9ise po#t. On Octobe# 1/, 3,/0, @#ancind* %o!!e#cial filed in the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of
Manila a petition fo# mandamus a$ainst the %o!!issione# of %usto!s and the %ollecto# of %usto!s of the po#t of Manila
to co!pel said custo!s autho#ities to #elease the $oods.
@#ancind* %o!!e#cial alle$ed in its petition fo# mandamus that the &u#eau of %usto!s had no :u#isdiction ove# the
$oods because the sa!e 9e#e not i!po#ted to the po#t of Manila7 that it 9as not liable fo# duties and ta6es because the
t#ansaction 9as not an o#i$inal i!po#tation7 that the $oods 9e#e not in the hands of the i!po#te# no# sub:ect to i!po#te#=s
cont#ol, no# 9e#e the $oods i!po#ted cont#a#* to la9 9ith its 2@#ancind* %o!!e#cial=s4 "no9led$e7 and that the
i!po#tation had been te#!inated. On Nove!be# 31, 3,/0, the %ollecto# of %usto!s of Manila issued a 9a##ant of sei;u#e
and identification a$ainst the $oods. On Dece!be# (, 3,/0, the %o!!issione# of %usto!s and the %ollecto# of %usto!s,
as #espondents in the mandamus case, filed a !otion to dis!iss the petition on the $#ounds of lac" of :u#isdiction, lac" of
cause of action, and in vie9 of the pendin$ sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s. The %ou#t of @i#st Instance held #esolution
on the !otion to dis!iss in abe*ance pendin$ decision on the !e#its. On Dece!be# 30, 3,/0, the %ou#t of @i#st Instance
of Manila issued a p#eventive and !andato#* in:unction, on p#a*e# b* @#ancind* %o!!e#cial, upon a bond of
P1-,---.--. The %o!!issione# of %usto!s and the %ollecto# of %usto!s sou$ht the liftin$ of the p#eli!ina#* and
!andato#* in:unction, and the #esolution of thei# !otion to dis!iss. The %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila, ho9eve#, on
)anua#* 31, 3,/+, o#de#ed the! to co!pl* 9ith the p#eli!ina#* and !andato#* in:unction, upon the filin$ b* @#ancind*
%o!!e#cial of an additional bond of P+-,---.--. Said custo!s autho#ities the#eupon filed 9ith this %ou#t, on )anua#* 30,
3,/+, a petition fo# certiorari and p#ohibition 9ith p#eli!ina#* in:unction. In #esolvin$ the Buestion #aised in that case, this
%ou#t held5
This petition #aises t9o #elated issues5 fi#st, has the %usto!s bu#eau :u#isdiction to sei;e the $oods and
institute fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s a$ainst the!K and 214 has the %ou#t of @i#st Instance :u#isdiction to ente#tain the
petition fo# mandamus to co!pel the %usto!s autho#ities to #elease the $oodsK
@#ancind* %o!!e#cial contends that since the petition in the %ou#t of fi#st Instance 9as filed 2on
Octobe# 1/, 3,/04 ahead of the issuance of the %usto!s 9a##ant of sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e 2on Nove!be# 31,
3,/04,the %usto!s bu#eau should *ield the :u#isdiction of the said cou#t.
The #eco#d sho9s, ho9eve#, that the $oods in Buestion were actuall% sei)ed on Octo$er *& +,*-& i.e.,
befo#e @#ancind* %o!!e#cial sued in cou#t. The pu#pose of the sei;u#e b* the %usto!s bu#eau 9as to ve#if*
9hethe# o# not %usto! duties and ta6es 9e#e paid fo# thei# i!po#tation. Hence, on Dece!be# 1(, 3,/0,
%usto!s #eleased 11 bales the#eof, fo# the sa!e 9e#e found to have been #eleased #e$ula#l* f#o! the %ebu
Po#t 2Petition nne6 L8L4. s to $oods i!po#ted ille$all* o# #eleased i##e$ula#l* f#o! %usto!s custod*, these
a#e sub:ect to sei;u#e unde# Section 1+(- !. of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode 2R 3,+'4.
The &u#eau of %usto!s has :u#isdiction and po9e#, a!on$ othe#s to collect #evenues f#o! i!po#ted
a#ticles, fines and penalties and supp#ess s!u$$lin$ and othe# f#auds on custo!s7 and to enfo#ce ta#iff and
custo!s la9s 2Sec. /-1, Republic ct 3,+'4.
The $oods in Buestion a#e i!po#ted a#ticles ente#ed at the Po#t of %ebu. Should the* be found to have
been #eleased i##e$ula#l* f#o! %usto!s custod* in %ebu %it*, the* a#e sub:ect to sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e, the
p#oceedin$s fo# 9hich co!es 9ithin the :u#isdiction of the &u#eau of %usto!s pu#suant to Republic ct 3,('.
Said p#oceedin$ should be follo9ed7 the o9ne# of the $oods !a* set up defenses the#ein 2Pacis v.
ve#ia, 8-11+1/, Nov. 1-, 3,//.4 @#o! the decision of the %o!!issione# of %usto!s appeal lies to the %ou#t
of Ta6 ppeals, as p#ovided in Sec. 10-1 of Republic ct 3,(' and Sec. 33 of Republic ct, 331+. To pe#!it
#ecou#se to the %ou#t of @i#st Instance in cases of sei;u#e of i!po#ted $oods 9ould in effect #ende# ineffective
the po9e# of the %usto!s autho#ities unde# the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode and dep#ive the %ou#t of Ta6 ppeals
of one of its e6clusive appellate :u#isdictions. s this %ou#t has #uled in Pacis v. ve#ia,supra, Republic cts
3,(' and 331+ vest :u#isdiction ove# sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s e6clusivel* upon the &u#eau of
%usto!s and the %ou#t of Ta6 ppeals. Such la9 bein$ special in natu#e, 9hile the )udicia#* ct definin$ the
:u#isdiction of %ou#ts of @i#st Instance is a $ene#al le$islation, not to !ention that the fo#!e# a#e late#
enact!ents, the %ou#t of @i#st Instance should *ield to the :u#isdiction of the %usto!s autho#ities.
It is the settled #ule, the#efo#e, that the &u#eau of %usto!s acBui#es e6clusive :u#isdiction ove# i!po#ted $oods, fo#
the pu#poses of enfo#ce!ent of the custo!s la9s, f#o! the !o!ent the $oods a#e actuall* in its possession o# cont#ol,
even if no 9a##ant of sei;u#e o# detention had p#eviousl* been issued b* the %ollecto# of %usto!s in connection 9ith
sei;u#e and fo#feitu#e p#oceedin$s. In the p#esent case, the &u#eau of %usto!s actuall* sei;ed the $oods in Buestion on
Nove!be# 0, 3,//, and so f#o! that date the &u#eau of %usto!s acBui#ed :u#isdiction ove# the $oods fo# the pu#poses of
the enfo#ce!ent of the ta#iff and custo!s la9s, to the e6clusion of the #e$ula# cou#ts. Much less then 9ould the %ou#t of
@i#st Instance of Manila have :u#isdiction ove# the $oods in Buestion afte# the %ollecto# of %usto!s had issued the
9a##ant of sei;u#e and detention on )anua#* 31, 3,/'.
3-
nd so, it cannot be said, as #espondents contend, that the
issuance of said 9a##ant 9as onl* an atte!pt to divest the #espondent )ud$e of :u#isdiction ove# the sub:ect !atte# of the
case. The cou#t p#esided b* #espondent )ud$e did not acBui#e :u#isdiction ove# the $oods in Buestion 9hen the petition
fo# mandamus 9as filed befo#e it, and so the#e 9as no need of divestin$ it of :u#isdiction. Not havin$ acBui#ed :u#isdiction
ove# the $oods, it follo9s that the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila had no :u#isdiction to issue the Buestioned o#de# of
Ma#ch ', 3,/' #eleasin$ said $oods.
Respondents also ave# that petitione# Ma#tin la$ao, an office# of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, could not sei;e
the $oods in Buestion 9ithout a sea#ch 9a##ant. This contention cannot be sustained. The %hief of the Manila Police
Depa#t!ent, Rica#do >. Papa, havin$ been deputi;ed in 9#itin$ b* the %o!!issione# of %usto!s, could, fo# the
pu#poses of the enfo#ce!ent of the custo!s and ta#iff la9s, effect sea#ches, sei;u#es, and a##ests,
33
and it 9as his dut* to
!a"e sei;u#e, a!on$ othe#s, of an* ca#$o, a#ticles o# othe# !ovable p#ope#t* 9hen the sa!e !a* be sub:ect to fo#feitu#e
o# liable fo# an* fine i!posed unde# custo!s and ta#iff la9s.
31
He could la9full* open and e6a!ine an* bo6, t#un",
envelope o# othe# containe# 9he#eve# found 9hen he had #easonable cause to suspect the p#esence the#ein of dutiable
a#ticles int#oduced into the Philippines cont#a#* to la97 and li"e9ise to stop, sea#ch and e6a!ine an* vehicle, beast o#
pe#son #easonabl* suspected of holdin$ o# conve*in$ such a#ticle as afo#esaid.
3(
It cannot be doubted, the#efo#e, that
petitione# Rica#do >. Papa, %hief of Police of Manila, could la9full* effect the sea#ch and sei;u#e of the $oods in
Buestion. The Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode autho#i;es hi! to de!and assistance of an* police office# to effect said sea#ch
and sei;u#e, and the latte# has the le$al dut* to #ende# said assistance.
30
This 9as 9hat happened p#ecisel* in the case
of 8t. Ma#tin la$ao 9ho, 9ith his unit, !ade the sea#ch and sei;u#e of the t9o t#uc"s loaded 9ith the nine bales of $oods
in Buestion at the $#ifina %i#cle. He 9as $iven autho#it* b* the %hief of Police to !a"e the inte#ception of the ca#$o.
3+
Petitione# Ma#tin la$ao and his co!panion police!en had autho#it* to effect the sei;u#e 9ithout an* sea#ch
9a##ant issued b* a co!petent cou#t. The Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode does not #eBui#e said 9a##ant in the instant case. The
%ode autho#i;es pe#sons havin$ police autho#it* unde# Section 11-( of the Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode to ente#, pass
th#ou$h o# sea#ch an* land, inclosu#e, 9a#ehouse, sto#e o# buildin$, not bein$ a d9ellin$ house7 and also to inspect,
sea#ch and e6a!ine an* vessel o# ai#c#aft and an* t#un", pac"a$e, o# envelope o# an* pe#son on boa#d, o# to stop and
sea#ch and e6a!ine an* vehicle, beast o# pe#son suspected of holdin$ o# conve*in$ an* dutiable o# p#ohibited a#ticle
int#oduced into the Philippines cont#a#* to la9, 9ithout !entionin$ the need of a sea#ch 9a##ant in said cases.
3/
&ut in
the sea#ch of a d9ellin$ house, the %ode p#ovides that said Ld9ellin$ house !a* be ente#ed and sea#ched onl% upon
warrant issued b* a :ud$e o# :ustice of the peace. . . .L
3'
It is ou# conside#ed vie9, the#efo#, that e6cept in the case of the
sea#ch of a d9ellin$ house, pe#sons e6e#cisin$ police autho#it* unde# the custo!s la9 !a* effect sea#ch and sei;u#e
9ithout a sea#ch 9a##ant in the enfo#ce!ent of custo!s la9s.
Ou# conclusion finds suppo#t in the case of %a##oll v. Enited States, (, .8.R., ',-, ',,, 9he#ein the cou#t,
conside#in$ a le$al p#ovision si!ila# to Section 1133 of the Philippine Ta#iff and %usto!s %ode, said as follo9s5
Thus conte!po#aneousl* 9ith the adoption of the 0th !end!ent, 9e find in the fi#st %on$#ess, and in
the follo9in$ second and fou#th %on$#esses, a diffe#ence !ade as to the necessit* fo# a sea#ch 9a##ant
bet9een $oods sub:ect to fo#feitu#e, 9hen concealed in a d9ellin$ house of si!ila# place, and li"e $oods in
cou#se of t#anspo#tation and concealed in a !ovable vessel, 9he#e #eadil* the* could be put out of #each of a
sea#ch 9a##ant. . . .
$ain, b* the 1d section of the ct of Ma#ch (, 3.3+ 2( Stat. at 8.1(3, 1(1, chap. ,04, it 9as !ade la9ful
fo# custo!s office#s not onl* to boa#d and sea#ch vessels 9ithin thei# o9n and ad:oinin$ dist#icts, but also to
stop, sea#ch and e6a!ine an* vehicle, beast o# pe#son on 9hich o# 9ho! the* should suspect the#e 9as
!e#chandise 9hich 9as sub:ect to dut*, o# had been int#oduced into the Enited States in an* !anne# cont#a#*
to la9, 9hethe# b* the pe#son in cha#$e of the vehicle o# beast o# othe#9ise, and if the* should find an* $oods,
9a#es, o# !e#chandise the#eon, 9hich the* had p#obabl* cause to believe had been so unla9full* b#ou$ht into
the count#*, to sei;e and secu#e the sa!e, and the vehicle o# beast as 9ell, fo# t#ial and fo#feitu#e. This ct 9as
#ene9ed p#il 1', 3.3/ 2( Sta. at 8. (3+, chap. 3--4, fo# a *ea# and e6pi#ed. The ct of @eb#ua#* 1., 3./+,
#evived O 1 of the ct of 3.3+, above desc#ibed, chap. /', 3( Stat. at 8. 003. The substance of this section 9as
#e-enacted in the (d section of the ct of )ul* 3., 3.//, chap. 1-3, 30 Stat. at 8. 3'., and 9as the#eafte#
e!bodied in the Revised Statutes as O (-/3, %o!p. Stat. O +'/(, 1 @ed. Stat. nno. 1d ed. p. 33/3. Neithe# O
(-/3 no# an* of its ea#lie# counte#pa#ts has eve# been attac"ed as unconstitutional. Indeed, that section 9as
#efe##ed to and t#eated as ope#ative b* this cou#t in Von %ot;hausen v. Na;#o, 3-' E.S. 13+, 13,, 1' 8. ed.
+0-, +03, 1 Sup. %t. Rep. +-(. . . .
In the instant case, 9e note that petitione# Ma#tin la$ao and his co!panion police!en did not have to !a"e an*
sea#ch befo#e the* sei;ed the t9o t#uc"s and thei# ca#$o. In thei# o#i$inal petition, and a!ended petition, in the cou#t
belo9 Re!edios Ma$o and Valentin 8anopa did not even alle$e that the#e 9as a sea#ch.
3.
ll that the* co!plained of
9as,
That 9hile the t#uc"s 9e#e on thei# 9a*, the* 9e#e intercepted 9ithout an* sea#ch 9a##ant nea# the
$#ifina %i#cle and ta"en to the Manila Police Depa#t!ent, 9he#e the* 9e#e detained.
&ut even if the#e 9as a sea#ch, the#e is still autho#it* to the effect that no sea#ch 9a##ant 9ould be needed unde#
the ci#cu!stances obtainin$ in the instant case. Thus, it has been held that5
The $ua#ant* of f#eedo! f#o! un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es is const#ued as #eco$ni;in$ a
necessa#* diffe#ence bet9een a sea#ch of a d9ellin$ house o# othe# st#uctu#e in #espect of 9hich a sea#ch
9a##ant !a* #eadil* be obtained and a sea#ch of a ship, !oto#boat, 9a$on, o# auto!obile fo# cont#aband
$oods, 9he#e it is not p#acticable to secu#e a 9a##ant because the vehicle can be Buic"l* !oved out of the
localit* o# :u#isdiction in 9hich the 9a##ant !ust be sou$ht. 20' !. )u#., pp. +3(-+30, citin$ %a##oll v. Enited
States, 1/' E.S. 3(1, /, 8. ed., +0(, 0+ S. %t., 1.-, (, .8.R., ',-7 People v. %ase, (1- Mich., (',, 3,- N.A.,
(.,, 1' .8.R., /./.4
In the case of People v. Case 2(1- Mich., (',, 3,- N.A., (.,, 1' .8.R., /./4, the Buestion #aised b* defendant=s
counsel 9as 9hethe# an auto!obile t#uc" o# an auto!obile could be sea#ched 9ithout sea#ch 9a##ant o# othe# p#ocess
and the $oods the#ein sei;ed used afte#9a#ds as evidence in a t#ial fo# violation of the p#ohibition la9s of the State. Sa!e
counsel contended the ne$ative, u#$in$ the constitutional p#ovision fo#biddin$ un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es. The
%ou#t said5
. . . Neithe# ou# state no# the @ede#al %onstitution di#ectl* p#ohibits sea#ch and sei;u#e 9ithout a 9a##ant,
as is so!eti!es asse#ted. Onl* Lun#easonableL sea#ch and sei;u#e is fo#bidden. . . .
. . . The Buestion 9hethe# a sei;u#e o# a sea#ch is un#easonable in the lan$ua$e of the %onstitution is a
:udicial and not a le$islative Buestion7 but in dete#!inin$ 9hethe# a sei;u#e is o# is not un#easonable, all of the
ci#cu!stances unde# 9hich it is !ade !ust be loo"ed to.
The auto!obile is a s9ift and po9e#ful vehicle of #ecent develop!ent, 9hich has !ultiplied b* Buantit*
p#oduction and ta"en possession of ou# hi$h9a*s in battalions until the slo9e#, ani!al-d#a9n vehicles, 9ith
thei# easil* noted individualit*, a#e #a#e. %onst#ucted as cove#ed vehicles to standa#d fo#! in i!!ense
Buantities, and 9ith a capacit* fo# speed #ivalin$ e6p#ess t#ains, the* fu#nish fo# successful co!!ission of
c#i!e a dis$uisin$ !eans of silent app#oach and s9ift escape un"no9n in the histo#* of the 9o#ld befo#e thei#
advent. The Buestion of thei# police cont#ol and #easonable sea#ch on hi$h9a*s o# othe# public places is a
se#ious Buestion fa# deepe# and b#oade# than thei# use in so-called Lbootle$in$L o# L#u! #unnin$,L 9hich is itself
is no s!all !atte#. Ahile a possession in the sense of p#ivate o9ne#ship, the* a#e but a vehicle const#ucted fo#
t#avel and t#anspo#tation on hi$h9a*s. Thei# active use is not in ho!es o# on p#ivate p#e!ises, the p#ivac* of
9hich the la9 especiall* $ua#ds f#o! sea#ch and sei;u#e 9ithout p#ocess. The bafflin$ e6tent to 9hich the* a#e
successfull* utili;ed to facilitate co!!ission of c#i!e of all de$#ees, f#o! those a$ainst !o#alit*, chastit*, and
decenc*, to #obbe#*, #ape, bu#$la#*, and !u#de#, is a !atte# of co!!on "no9led$e. Epon that p#oble! a
condition, and not a theo#*, conf#onts p#ope# ad!inist#ation of ou# c#i!inal la9s. Ahethe# sea#ch of and
sei;u#e f#o! an auto!obile upon a hi$h9a* o# othe# public place 9ithout a sea#ch 9a##ant is un#easonable is
in its final anal*sis to be dete#!ined as a :udicial Buestion in vie9 of all the ci#cu!stances unde# 9hich it is
!ade.
Havin$ decla#ed that the sei;u#e b* the !e!be#s of the Manila Police Depa#t!ent of the $oods in Buestion 9as in
acco#dance 9ith la9 and b* that sei;u#e the &u#eau of %usto!s had acBui#ed :u#isdiction ove# the $oods fo# the pu#pose
of the enfo#ce!ent of the custo!s and ta#iff la9s, to the e6clusion of the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila, Ae have thus
#esolved the p#incipal and decisive issue in the p#esent case. Ae do not conside# it necessa#*, fo# the pu#poses of this
decision, to discuss the incidental issues #aised b* the pa#ties in thei# pleadin$s.
AH?R?@OR?, :ud$!ent is he#eb* #ende#ed, as follo9s5
2a4 >#antin$ the 9#it of certiorari and p#ohibition p#a*ed fo# b* petitione#s7
2b4 Decla#in$ null and void, fo# havin$ been issued 9ithout :u#isdiction, the o#de# of #espondent )ud$e Hila#ion E.
)a#encio, dated Ma#ch ', 3,/', in %ivil %ode No. /'0,/ of the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila7
2c4 Decla#in$ pe#!anent the p#eli!ina#* in:unction issued b* this %ou#t on Ma#ch (3, 3,/' #est#ainin$ #espondent
)ud$e f#o! e6ecutin$, enfo#cin$ and<o# i!ple!entin$ his o#de# of Ma#ch ', 3,/' in %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ of the %ou#t of
@i#st Instance of Manila, and f#o! p#oceedin$ in an* !anne# in said case7
2d4 O#de#in$ the dis!issal of %ivil %ase No. /'0,/ of the %ou#t of @i#st Instance of Manila7 and+.wph/+.01t
2e4 O#de#in$ the p#ivate #espondent, Re!edios Ma$o, to pa* the costs.
It is so o#de#ed.
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
S?%OND DIVISION

G. R. No+. 102009-10 Ju/" ', 1994
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
ROLN!O !E GRCI, CHITO HENSON *n4 JOHN !OES, *00u+e4. ROLN!O !E GRCI, accused-appellant.
The Solicitor General for plaintiff-appellee.
Nicolas R. Rui)& 22 for accused-appellant.

REGL!O, J.:
The incidents involved in this case too" place at the hei$ht of the coup d3 etat sta$ed in Dece!be#, 3,., b* ult#a-#i$htist
ele!ents headed b* the Refo#! the #!ed @o#ces Move!ent-Soldie#s of the @ilipino People 2RM-S@P4 a$ainst the
>ove#n!ent. t that ti!e, va#ious $ove#n!ent establish!ents and !ilita#* ca!ps in Met#o Manila 9e#e bein$
bo!ba#ded b* the #i$htist $#oup 9ith thei# 4tora-tora4 planes. t a#ound !idni$ht of Nove!be# (-, 3,.,, the 0th Ma#ine
&attalion of the Philippine Ma#ines occupied Villa!o# i# &ase, 9hile the Scout Ran$e#s too" ove# the HeadBua#te#s of
the Philippine #!*, the #!* Ope#ations %ente#, and %hannel 0, the $ove#n!ent television station. lso, so!e ele!ents
of the Philippine #!* co!in$ f#o! @o#t Ma$sa*sa* occupied the >#eenhills Shoppin$ %ente# in San )uan, Met#o
Manila.
1
ccused-appellant Rolando de >#acia 9as cha#$ed in t9o sepa#ate info#!ations fo# ille$al possession of a!!unition
and e6plosives in fu#the#ance of #ebellion, and fo# atte!pted ho!icide, doc"eted as %#i!inal %ases Nos. J-,--33'++
and J-,--33'+/, #espectivel*, 9hich 9e#e t#ied :ointl* b* the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Jue;on %it*, &#anch 3-(.
In %#i!inal %ase No. J-,--33'++, Rolando de >#acia, %hito Henson and seve#al )ohn Does 9hose t#ue na!es and
identities have not as *et been asce#tained, 9e#e cha#$ed 9ith the c#i!e of ille$al possession of a!!unition and
e6plosives in fu#the#ance of #ebellion, penali;ed unde# Section 3, pa#a$#aph (, of P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//, alle$edl*
co!!itted as follo9s5
That on o# about the +th da* of D?%?M&?R, 3,.,, in JE?GON %ITH, M?TRO MNI8,
PHI8IPPIN?S, and 9ithin the :u#isdiction of this Hono#able %ou#t, the above-na!ed accused,
conspi#in$ and confede#atin$ to$ethe# and !utuall* helpin$ one anothe#, and 9ithout autho#it* of
la9, did then and the#e 9illfull*, unla9full*, feloniousl* and "no9in$l* have in thei# possession,
custod* and cont#ol, the follo9in$ to 9it5
@ive 2+4 bundles of %-0 o# d*na!ites
Si6 2/4 ca#toons of M-3/ a!!unition at 1- each
One hund#ed 23--4 bottles of MO8OTOV bo!bs
9ithout fi#st secu#in$ the necessa#* license and<o# pe#!it to possess the sa!e f#o! the p#ope#
autho#ities, and a#!ed 9ith said d*na!ites, a!!unition and e6plosives and pu#suant to thei#
conspi#ac* he#etofo#e a$#eed upon b* the! and p#o!pted b* co!!on desi$ns, co!e to an
a$#ee!ent and decision to co!!it the c#i!e of #ebellion, b* then and the#e pa#ticipatin$ the#ein and
publicl* ta"in$ a#!s a$ainst the dul* constituted autho#ities, fo# the pu#pose of ove#th#o9in$ the
>ove#n!ent of the Republic of the Philippines, dis#uptin$ and :eopa#di;in$ its activities and
#e!ovin$ f#o! its alle$iance the te##ito#* of the Philippines o# pa#ts the#eof.
2
In %#i!inal %ase No. J-,--33'+/, Rolando de >#acia, %hito Henson, 8a!be#to &icus, Rodolfo To# and seve#al )ohn
Does 9e#e cha#$ed 9ith atte!pted ho!icide alle$edl* co!!itted on Dece!be# 3, 3,., in Jue;on %it* upon the pe#son
of %#ispin Sa$a#io 9ho 9as shot and hit on the #i$ht thi$h.
ppellant 9as convicted fo# ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s in fu#the#ance of #ebellion, but 9as acBuitted of atte!pted
ho!icide.
Du#in$ the a##ai$n!ent, appellant pleaded not $uilt* to both cha#$es. Ho9eve#, he ad!itted that he is not autho#i;ed to
possess an* fi#ea#!s, a!!unition and<o# e6plosive.
&
The pa#ties li"e9ise stipulated that the#e 9as a #ebellion du#in$ the
pe#iod f#o! Nove!be# (- up to Dece!be# ,, 3,.,.
4
The #eco#ds sho9 that in the ea#l* !o#nin$ of Dece!be# 3, 3,.,, Ma:. ?f#en So#ia of the Intelli$ence Division, National
%apital Re$ion Defense %o!!and, 9as on boa#d a b#o9n To*ota ca# conductin$ a su#veillance of the ?u#oca# Sales
Office located at ?pifanio de los Santos venue in Jue;on %it*, to$ethe# 9ith his tea! co!posed of S$t. %#ispin
Sa$a#io, M<S$t. Ra!on &#iones, S<S$t. Hen#* Buino, one S<S$t. Si!on and a S$t. Ra!os. The su#veillance, 9hich
actuall* sta#ted on the ni$ht of Nove!be# (-, 3,., at a#ound 3-5-- P.M., 9as conducted pu#suant to an intelli$ence
#epo#t #eceived b* the division that said establish!ent 9as bein$ occupied b* ele!ents of the RM-S@P as a
co!!unication co!!and post.
S$t. %#ispin Sa$a#io, the d#ive# of the ca#, pa#"ed the vehicle a#ound ten to fifteen !ete#s a9a* f#o! the ?u#oca# buildin$
nea# P. Tua;on St#eet, S<S$t. Hen#* Buino had ea#lie# ali$hted f#o! the ca# to conduct his su#veillance on foot. c#o9d
9as then $athe#ed nea# the ?u#oca# office 9atchin$ the on-$oin$ bo!ba#d!ent nea# %a!p $uinaldo. fte# a 9hile, a
$#oup of five !en disen$a$ed the!selves f#o! the c#o9d and 9al"ed to9a#ds the ca# of the su#veillance tea!. t that
!o!ent, Ma:. So#ia, 9ho 9as then seated in f#ont, sa9 the app#oachin$ $#oup and i!!ediatel* o#de#ed S$t. Sa$a#io to
sta#t the ca# and leave the a#ea. s the* passed b* the $#oup, then onl* si6 !ete#s a9a*, the latte# pointed to the!, d#e9
thei# $uns and fi#ed at the tea!, 9hich attac" #esulted in the 9oundin$ of S$t. Sa$a#io on the #i$ht thi$h. Nobod* in the
su#veillance tea! 9as able to #etaliate because the* sou$ht cove# inside the ca# and the* 9e#e af#aid that civilians o#
b*stande#s !i$ht be cau$ht in the c#oss-fi#e.
s a conseBuence, at a#ound /5(- .M. of Dece!be# +, 3,.,, a sea#chin$ tea! co!posed of @<8t. Vi#$ilio &abao as
tea! leade#, M<S$t. 8acdao, S$t. Ma$allion, S$t. Pat#icio Pacatan$, and ele!ents of the 3/th Infant#* &attalion unde#
one %ol. delos Santos #aided the ?u#oca# Sales Office. The* 9e#e able to find and confiscate si6 ca#tons of M-3/
a!!unition, five bundles of %-0 d*na!ites, M-shells of diffe#ent calibe#s, and 4molotov4 bo!bs inside one of the #oo!s
belon$in$ to a ce#tain %ol. Matillano 9hich is located at the #i$ht po#tion of the buildin$. S$t. Osca# Obenia, the fi#st one
to ente# the ?u#oca# buildin$, sa9 appellant De >#acia inside the office of %ol. Matillano, holdin$ a %-0 and suspiciousl*
peepin$ th#ou$h a doo#. De >#acia 9as the onl* pe#son then p#esent inside the #oo!. unifo#! 9ith the na!eta$ of %ol.
Matillano 9as also found. s a #esult of the #aid, the tea! a##ested appellant, as 9ell as Sop#ieso Ve#bo and Robe#to
)i!ena 9ho 9e#e :anito#s at the ?u#oca# buildin$. The* 9e#e then !ade to si$n an invento#*, 9#itten in Ta$alo$, of the
e6plosives and a!!unition confiscated b* the #aidin$ tea!. No sea#ch 9a##ant 9as secu#ed b* the #aidin$ tea!
because, acco#din$ to the!, at that ti!e the#e 9as so !uch diso#de# conside#in$ that the nea#b* %a!p $uinaldo 9as
bein$ !opped up b* the #ebel fo#ces and the#e 9as si!ultaneous fi#in$ 9ithin the vicinit* of the ?u#oca# office, aside
f#o! the fact that the cou#ts 9e#e conseBuentl* closed. The $#oup 9as able to confi#! late# that the o9ne# of ?u#oca#
office is a ce#tain M#. >utie##e; and that appellant is supposedl* a Lbo*L the#ein.
ppellant Rolando de >#acia $ave anothe# ve#sion of the incident. @i#st, he clai!s that on Nove!be# (-, 3,.,, he 9as in
ntipolo to help in the bi#thda* pa#t* of %ol. Matillano. He denies that he 9as at the ?u#oca# Sales Office on Dece!be# 3,
3,.,. Second, he contends that 9hen the #aidin$ tea! a##ived at the ?u#oca# Sales Office on Dece!be# +, 3,.,, he 9as
inside his house, a s!all nipa hut 9hich is ad:acent to the buildin$. cco#din$ to hi!, he 9as tas"ed to $ua#d the office of
%ol. Matillano 9hich is located at the #i$ht side of the buildin$. He denies, ho9eve#, that he 9as inside the #oo! of %ol.
Matillano 9hen the #aidin$ tea! ba#$ed in and that he had e6plosives in his possession. He testified that 9hen the
!ilita#* #aided the office, he 9as o#de#ed to $et out of his house and !ade to lie on the $#ound face do9n, to$ethe# 9ith
LObetL and LDon$L 9ho 9e#e :anito#s of the buildin$. He ave#s that he does not "no9 an*thin$ about the e6plosives and
insists that 9hen the* 9e#e as"ed to stand up, the e6plosives 9e#e al#ead* the#e.
ppellant stated that he visited %ol. Matillano in 3,.' at the stoc"ade of the Philippine %onstabula#*-Inte$#ated National
Police 2P%-INP4, and that he "ne9 Matillano 9as detained because of the latte#=s involve!ent in the 3,.'coup d3 etat. In
)ul*, 3,.,, appellant a$ain 9ent to see Matillano because he had no :ob. %ol. Matillano then told hi! that he could sta*
in the P%-INP stoc"ade and do the !a#"etin$ fo# the!. @#o! that ti!e until his a##est at the ?u#oca# office, appellant
9o#"ed fo# Matillano.
De >#acia believes that the p#osecution 9itnesses 9e#e !oved to testif* a$ainst hi! because 4$ata raw a5o ni Col.
6atillano eh ma% atraso daw sa 5anila si Col. 6atillano 5a%a sa$i nila ito na lan# $ata ni%a an# ipitin natin.4
On @eb#ua#* 11, 3,,3, the t#ial cou#t #ende#ed :ud$!ent
5
acBuittin$ appellant Rolando de >#acia of atte!pted ho!icide,
but found hi! $uilt* be*ond #easonable doubt of the offense of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s in fu#the#ance of #ebellion
and sentenced hi! to se#ve the penalt* of reclusion perpetua. Mo#eove#, it !ade a #eco!!endation that L2i4nas!uch as
Rolando de >#acia appea#s to be !e#el* e6ecutin$ o# obe*in$ o#de#s and pu#suant to the spi#it contained in the 1nd
pa#a$#aph of #t. 3(+, R. P. %., the cou#t #eco!!ends that Rolando de >#acia be e6tended e6ecutive cle!enc* afte#
se#vin$ a :ail te#! of five 2+4 *ea#s of $ood behavio#.
That :ud$!ent of conviction is no9 challen$ed befo#e us in this appeal.
ppellant p#incipall* contends that he cannot be held $uilt* of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s fo# the #eason that he did not
have eithe# ph*sical o# const#uctive possession the#eof conside#in$ that he had no intent to possess the sa!e7 he is
neithe# the o9ne# no# a tenant of the buildin$ 9he#e the a!!unition and e6plosives 9e#e found7 he 9as !e#el*
e!plo*ed b* %ol. Matillano as an e##and bo*7 he 9as $ua#din$ the e6plosives fo# and in behalf of %ol. Matillano7 and he
did not have actual possession of the e6plosives. He clai!s that intent to possess, 9hich is necessa#* befo#e one can be
convicted unde# P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//, 9as not p#esent in the case at ba#.
P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// p#ovides as follo9s5
Sec. 3. 7nlawful 6anufacture& Sale& Acquisition& !isposition or Possession of 8irearms or
Ammunition or 2nstruments 7sed or intended to $e 7sed in the 6anufacture of 8irearms or
Ammunition. M The penalt* of reclusion temporal in its !a6i!u! pe#iod to reclusion perpetua shall
be i!posed upon an* pe#son 9ho shall unla9full* !anufactu#e, deal in, acBui#e, dispose, o#
possess an* fi#ea#!s, pa#t of fi#ea#!s, a!!unition o# !achine#*, tool o# inst#u!ent used o# intended
to be used in the !anufactu#e of an* fi#ea#! o# a!!unition.
If ho!icide o# !u#de# is co!!itted 9ith the use of an unlicensed fi#ea#!, the penalt* of death shall
be i!posed.
If the violation of this Section is in fu#the#ance of, o# incident to, o# in connection 9ith the c#i!es of
#ebellion, insu##ection o# subve#sion, the penalt* of death shall be i!posed.
P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// 9as passed because of an upsu#$e of c#i!es vitall* affectin$ public o#de# and safet* due
to the p#olife#ation of ille$all* possessed and !anufactu#ed fi#ea#!s, a!!unition and e6plosives, and 9hich c#i!inal acts
have #esulted in loss of hu!an lives, da!a$e to p#ope#t* and dest#uction of valuable #esou#ces of the count#*. The se#ies
of coup d3 etats unleashed in the count#* du#in$ the fi#st fe9 *ea#s of the t#ansitional $ove#n!ent unde# then P#esident
%o#a;on P. Buino attest to the eve#-$#o9in$ i!po#tance of la9s such as P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// 9hich see" to nip
in the bud and p#ee!pt the co!!ission of an* act o# acts 9hich tend to distu#b public peace and o#de#.
I. The fi#st issue to be #esolved is 9hethe# o# not intent to possess is an essential ele!ent of the offense punishable
unde# P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// and, if so, 9hethe# appellant De >#acia did intend to ille$all* possess fi#ea#!s and
a!!unition.
The #ule is that o9ne#ship is not an essential ele!ent of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s and a!!unition. Ahat the la9
#eBui#es is !e#el* possession 9hich includes not onl* actual ph*sical possession but also const#uctive possession o# the
sub:ection of the thin$ to one=s cont#ol and !ana$e!ent.
'
This has to be so if the !anifest intent of the la9 is to be
effective. The sa!e evils, the sa!e pe#ils to public secu#it*, 9hich the la9 penali;es e6ist 9hethe# the unlicensed holde#
of a p#ohibited 9eapon be its o9ne# o# a bo##o9e#. To acco!plish the ob:ect of this la9 the p#op#ieta#* concept of the
possession can have no bea#in$ 9hatsoeve#.
%
&ut is the !e#e fact of ph*sical o# const#uctive possession sufficient to convict a pe#son fo# unla9ful possession of
fi#ea#!s o# !ust the#e be an intent to possess to constitute a violation of the la9K This Bue#* assu!es si$nificance since
the offense of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s is a malum prohi$itum punished b* a special la9,
8
in 9hich case $ood faith
and absence of c#i!inal intent a#e not valid defenses.
9
Ahen the c#i!e is punished b* a special la9, as a #ule, intent to co!!it the c#i!e is not necessa#*. It is sufficient that the
offende# has the intent to pe#pet#ate the act p#ohibited b* the special la9. Intent to co!!it the c#i!e and intent to
pe#pet#ate the act !ust be distin$uished. pe#son !a* not have consciousl* intended to co!!it a c#i!e7 but he did
intend to co!!it an act, and that act is, b* the ve#* natu#e of thin$s, the c#i!e itself. In the fi#st 2intent to co!!it the
c#i!e4, the#e !ust be c#i!inal intent7 in the second 2intent to pe#pet#ate the act4 it is enou$h that the p#ohibited act is
done f#eel* and consciousl*.
10
In the p#esent case, a distinction should be !ade bet9een c#i!inal intent and intent to possess. Ahile !e#e possession,
9ithout c#i!inal intent, is sufficient to convict a pe#son fo# ille$al possession of a fi#ea#!, it !ust still be sho9n that the#e
9as animus possidendi o# an intent to possess on the pa#t of the accused.
11
Such intent to possess is, ho9eve#, 9ithout
#e$a#d to an* othe# c#i!inal o# felonious intent 9hich the accused !a* have ha#bo#ed in possessin$ the fi#ea#!. %#i!inal
intent he#e #efe#s to the intention of the accused to co!!it an offense 9ith the use of an unlicensed fi#ea#!. This is not
i!po#tant in convictin$ a pe#son unde# P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//. Hence, in o#de# that one !a* be found $uilt* of a
violation of the dec#ee, it is sufficient that the accused had no autho#it* o# license to possess a fi#ea#!, and that he
intended to possess the sa!e, even if such possession 9as !ade in $ood faith and 9ithout c#i!inal intent.
%onco!itantl*, a te!po#a#*, incidental, casual, o# ha#!less possession o# cont#ol of a fi#ea#! cannot be conside#ed a
violation of a statute p#ohibitin$ the possession of this "ind of 9eapon,
12
such as P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//. Thus,
althou$h the#e is ph*sical o# const#uctive possession, fo# as lon$ as the animus possidendi is absent, the#e is no offense
co!!itted.
%o!in$ no9 to the case befo#e us, the#e is no doubt in ou# !inds that appellant De >#acia is indeed $uilt* of havin$
intentionall* possessed seve#al fi#ea#!s, e6plosives and a!!unition 9ithout the #eBuisite license o# autho#it* the#efo#.
P#osecution 9itness S$t. Osca# benia cate$o#icall* testified that he 9as the fi#st one to ente# the ?u#oca# Sales Office
9hen the !ilita#* ope#atives #aided the sa!e, and he sa9 De >#acia standin$ in the #oo! and holdin$ the seve#al
e6plosives !a#"ed in evidence as ?6hibits D to D-0.
1&
t fi#st, appellant denied an* "no9led$e about the e6plosives.
Then, he alte#nativel* contended that his act of $ua#din$ the e6plosives fo# and in behalf of %ol. Matillano does not
constitute ille$al possession the#eof because the#e 9as no intent on his pa#t to possess the sa!e, since he 9as !e#el*
e!plo*ed as an e##and bo* of %ol. Matillano. His p#etension of i!pe#sonal o# indiffe#ent !ate#ial possession does not
and cannot inspi#e c#edence.
Animus possidendi is a state of !ind 9hich !a* be dete#!ined on a case to case basis, ta"in$ into conside#ation the
p#io# and coetaneous acts of the accused and the su##oundin$ ci#cu!stances. Ahat e6ists in the #eal! of thou$ht is
often disclosed in the #an$e of action. It is not cont#ove#ted that appellant De >#acia is a fo#!e# soldie#, havin$ se#ved
9ith the Philippine %onstabula#* p#io# to his sepa#ation f#o! the se#vice fo# $oin$ on absence 9ithout leave
2AO84.
14
Ae do not hesitate, the#efo#e, to believe and conclude that he is fa!ilia# 9ith and "no9led$eable about the
d*na!ites, 4molotov4 bo!bs, and va#ious "inds of a!!unition 9hich 9e#e confiscated b* the !ilita#* f#o! his
possession. s a fo#!e# soldie#, it 9ould be absu#d fo# hi! not to "no9 an*thin$ about the dan$e#ous uses and po9e# of
these 9eapons. fortiori, he cannot fei$n i$no#ance on the i!po#t of havin$ in his possession such a la#$e Buantit* of
e6plosives and a!!unition. @u#the#!o#e, the place 9he#e the e6plosives 9e#e found is not a !ilita#* ca!p o# office, no#
one 9he#e such ite!s can o#dina#il* but la9full* be sto#ed, as in a $un sto#e, an a#senal o# a#!o#*. ?ven an o#dina#il*
p#udent !an 9ould be put on $ua#d and be suspicious if he finds a#ticles of this natu#e in a place intended to ca##* out
the business of sellin$ ca#s and 9hich has nothin$ to do at all, di#ectl* o# indi#ectl*, 9ith the t#ade of fi#ea#!s and
a!!unition.
On the basis of the fo#e$oin$ disBuisition, it is appa#ent, and 9e so hold, that appellant De >#acia actuall* intended to
possess the a#ticles confiscated f#o! his pe#son.
II. The ne6t Buestion that !a* be as"ed is 9hethe# o# not the#e 9as a valid sea#ch and sei;u#e in this case. Ahile the
!atte# has not been sBua#el* put in issue, 9e dee! it ou# bounden dut*, in li$ht of adve#tence the#eto b* the pa#ties, to
delve into the le$alit* of the 9a##antless sea#ch conducted b* the #aidin$ tea!, conside#in$ the $#avit* of the offense fo#
9hich he#ein appellant stands to be convicted and the penalt* sou$ht to be i!posed.
It is ad!itted that the !ilita#* ope#atives 9ho #aided the ?u#oca# Sales Office 9e#e not a#!ed 9ith a sea#ch 9a##ant at
that ti!e.
15
The #aid 9as actuall* p#ecipitated b* intelli$ence #epo#ts that said office 9as bein$ used as headBua#te#s b*
the RM.
1'
P#io# to the #aid, the#e 9as a su#veillance conducted on the p#e!ises 9he#ein the su#veillance tea! 9as
fi#ed at b* a $#oup of !en co!in$ f#o! the ?u#oca# buildin$. Ahen the !ilita#* ope#atives #aided the place, the
occupants the#eof #efused to open the doo# despite #eBuests fo# the! to do so, the#eb* co!pellin$ the fo#!e# to b#ea"
into the office.
1%
The ?u#oca# Sales Office is obviousl* not a $un sto#e and it is definitel* not an a#!o#* o# a#senal 9hich
a#e the usual deposito#ies fo# e6plosives and a!!unition. It is p#i!a#il* and solel* en$a$ed in the sale of auto!obiles.
The p#esence of an unusual Buantit* of hi$h-po9e#ed fi#ea#!s and e6plosives could not be :ustifiabl* o# even colo#abl*
e6plained. In addition, the#e 9as $ene#al chaos and diso#de# at that ti!e because of si!ultaneous and intense fi#in$
9ithin the vicinit* of the office and in the nea#b* %a!p $uinaldo 9hich 9as unde# attac" b* #ebel fo#ces.
18
The cou#ts in
the su##oundin$ a#eas 9e#e obviousl* closed and, fo# that !atte#, the buildin$ and houses the#ein 9e#e dese#ted.
Ende# the fo#e$oin$ ci#cu!stances, it is ou# conside#ed opinion that the instant case falls unde# one of the e6ceptions to
the p#ohibition a$ainst a 9a##antless sea#ch. In the fi#st place, the !ilita#* ope#atives, ta"in$ into account the facts
obtainin$ in this case, had #easonable $#ound to believe that a c#i!e 9as bein$ co!!itted. The#e 9as conseBuentl*
!o#e than sufficient p#obable cause to 9a##ant thei# action. @u#the#!o#e, unde# the situation then p#evailin$, the #aidin$
tea! had no oppo#tunit* to appl* fo# and secu#e a sea#ch 9a##ant f#o! the cou#ts. The t#ial :ud$e hi!self !anifested that
on Dece!be# +, 3,., 9hen the #aid 9as conducted, his cou#t 9as closed.
19
Ende# such u#$enc* and e6i$enc* of the
!o!ent, a sea#ch 9a##ant could la9full* be dispensed 9ith.
The vie9 that 9e he#e ta"e is in consonance 9ith ou# doct#inal #ulin$ 9hich 9as a!pl* e6plained in People vs.
Mal!stedt
20
and bea#s #eite#ation5
Ahile it is t#ue that the NR%OM office#s 9e#e not a#!ed 9ith a sea#ch 9a##ant 9hen the sea#ch
9as !ade ove# the pe#sonal effects of accused, ho9eve#, unde# the ci#cu!stances of the case,
the#e 9as sufficient p#obable cause fo# said office#s to believe that accused 9as then and the#e
co!!ittin$ a c#i!e.
P#obable cause has been defined as such facts and ci#cu!stances 9hich 9ould lead a #easonable,
disc#eet and p#udent !an to believe that an offense has been co!!itted, and that the ob:ects
sou$ht in connection 9ith the offense a#e in the place sou$ht to be sea#ched. The #eBui#ed p#obable
cause that 9ill :ustif* a 9a##antless sea#ch and sei;u#e is not dete#!ined b* an* fi6ed fo#!ula but is
#esolved acco#din$ to the facts of each case.
Aa##antless sea#ch of the pe#sonal effects of an accused has been decla#ed b* this %ou#t as valid,
because of e6istence of p#obable cause, 9he#e the s!ell of !a#i:uana e!anated f#o! a plastic ba$
o9ned b* the accused, o# 9he#e the accused 9as actin$ suspiciousl*, and atte!pted to flee.
side f#o! the pe#sistent #epo#ts #eceived b* the NR%OM that vehicles co!in$ f#o! Sa$ada 9e#e
t#anspo#tin$ !a#i:uana and othe# p#ohibited d#u$s, thei# %o!!andin$ Office# also #eceived
info#!ation that a %aucasian co!in$ f#o! Sa$ada on that pa#ticula# da* had p#ohibited d#u$s in his
possession. Said info#!ation 9as #eceived b* the %o!!andin$ Office# of NR%OM the ve#* sa!e
!o#nin$ that accused ca!e do9n b* bus f#o! Sa$ada on his 9a* to &a$uio %it*.
Ahen NR%OM #eceived the info#!ation, a fe9 hou#s befo#e the app#ehension of he#ein accused,
that a %aucasian t#avellin$ f#o! Sa$ada to &a$uio %it* 9as ca##*in$ 9ith hi! p#ohibited d#u$s, the#e
9as no ti!e to obtain a sea#ch 9a##ant. In the Tan#li$en case, the police autho#ities conducted a
su#veillance at the Victo#* 8ine# Te#!inal located at &$*. San Nicolas, San @e#nando, Pa!pan$a,
a$ainst pe#sons en$a$ed in the t#affic of dan$e#ous d#u$s, based on info#!ation supplied b* so!e
info#!e#s. ccused Tan#li$en 9ho 9as actin$ suspiciousl* and pointed out b* an info#!e# 9as
app#ehended and sea#ched b* the police autho#ities. It 9as held that 9hen faced 9ith on-the-spot
info#!ation, the police office#s had to act Buic"l* and the#e 9as no ti!e to secu#e a sea#ch 9a##ant.
It !ust be obse#ved that, at fi#st, the NR%OM office#s !e#el* conducted a #outine chec" of the bus
29he#e accused 9as #idin$4 and the passen$e#s the#ein, and no e6tensive sea#ch 9as initiall* !ade.
It 9as onl* 9hen one of the office#s noticed a bul$e on the 9aist of accused, du#in$ the cou#se of the
inspection, that accused 9as #eBui#ed to p#esent his passpo#t. The failu#e of accused to p#esent his
identification pape#s, 9hen o#de#ed to do so, onl* !ana$ed to a#ouse the suspicion of the office# that
accused 9as t#*in$ to hide his identit*. @o# is it not a #e$ula# no#! fo# an innocent !an, 9ho has
nothin$ to hide f#o! the autho#ities, to #eadil* p#esent his identification pape#s 9hen #eBui#ed to do
soK
The #eceipt of info#!ation b* NR%OM that a %aucasian co!in$ f#o! Sa$ada had p#ohibited d#u$s
in his possession, plus the suspicious failu#e of the accused to p#oduce his passpo#t, ta"en to$ethe#
as a 9hole, led the NR%OM office#s to #easonabl* believe that the accused 9as t#*in$ to hide
so!ethin$ ille$al f#o! the autho#ities. @#o! these ci#cu!stances a#ose a p#obable cause 9hich
:ustified the 9a##antless sea#ch that 9as !ade on the pe#sonal effects of the accused. In othe#
9o#ds, the acts of the NR%OM office#s in #eBui#in$ the accused to open his pouch ba$ and in
openin$ one of the 9#apped ob:ects found inside said ba$ 29hich 9as discove#ed to contain
hashish4 as 9ell as the t9o 214 tedd* bea#s 9ith hashish stuffed inside the!, 9e#e p#o!pted b*
accused=s o9n atte!pt to hide his identit* b* #efusin$ to p#esent his passpo#t, and b* the info#!ation
#eceived b* the NR%OM that a %aucasian co!in$ f#o! Sa$ada had p#ohibited d#u$s in his
possession. To dep#ive the NR%OM a$ents of the abilit* and facilit* to act acco#din$l*, includin$, to
sea#ch even 9ithout 9a##ant, in the li$ht of such ci#cu!stances, 9ould be to sanction i!potence and
ineffectiveness in la9 enfo#ce!ent, to the det#i!ent of societ*.
In addition, 9e find the p#inciple enunciated in 7mil& et al.& vs. Ramos&
et al.&
21
applicable, b* analo$*, to the p#esent case5
The a##est of pe#sons involved in the #ebellion 9hethe# as its fi$htin$ a#!ed ele!ents, o# fo#
co!!ittin$ non-violent acts but in fu#the#ance of the #ebellion, is !o#e an act of captu#in$ the! in
the cou#se of an a#!ed conflict, to Buell the #ebellion, than fo# the pu#pose of i!!ediatel*
p#osecutin$ the! in cou#t fo# a statuto#* offense. The a##est, the#efo#e, need not follo9 the usual
p#ocedu#e in the p#osecution of offenses 9hich #eBui#es the dete#!ination b* a :ud$e of the
e6istence of p#obable cause befo#e the issuance of a :udicial 9a##ant of a##est and the $#antin$ of
bail if the offense is bailable. Obviousl* the absence of a :udicial 9a##ant is no le$al i!pedi!ent to
a##estin$ o# captu#in$ pe#sons co!!ittin$ ove#t acts of violence a$ainst $ove#n!ent fo#ces, o# an*
othe# !ilde# acts but #eall* in pu#suance of the #ebellious !ove!ent. The a##est o# captu#e is thus
i!pelled b* the e6i$encies of the situation that involves the ve#* su#vival of societ* and its
$ove#n!ent and dul* constituted autho#ities. If "illin$ and othe# acts of violence a$ainst the #ebels
find :ustification in the e6i$encies of a#!ed hostilities 9hich 2a#e4 of the essence of 9a$in$ a
#ebellion o# insu##ection, !ost assu#edl* so in case of invasion, !e#el* sei;in$ thei# pe#sons and
detainin$ the! 9hile an* of these contin$encies continues cannot be less :ustified.
III. s ea#lie# stated, it 9as stipulated and ad!itted b* both pa#ties that f#o! Nove!be# (-, 3,., up to and until
Dece!be# ,, 3,.,, the#e 9as a #ebellion. ?#$o, ou# ne6t inBui#* is 9hethe# o# not appellant=s possession of the fi#ea#!s,
e6plosives and a!!unition sei;ed and #ecove#ed f#o! hi! 9as fo# the pu#pose and in fu#the#ance of #ebellion.
The t#ial cou#t found accused $uilt* of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s in fu#the#ance of #ebellion pu#suant to pa#a$#aph 1 of
#ticle 3(+ of the Revised Penal %ode 9hich states that Lan* pe#son !e#el* pa#ticipatin$ o# e6ecutin$ the co!!and of
othe#s in a #ebellion shall suffe# the penalt* of prision ma%or in its !ini!u! pe#iod.L The cou#t belo9 held that appellant
De >#acia, 9ho had been se#vicin$ the pe#sonal needs of %ol. Matillano 29hose active a#!ed opposition a$ainst the
>ove#n!ent, pa#ticula#l* at the %a!elot Hotel, 9as 9ell "no9n4, is $uilt* of the act of $ua#din$ the e6plosives
and 4molotov4 bo!bs fo# and in behalf of the latte#. Ae accept this findin$ of the lo9e# cou#t.
The above p#ovision of the la9 9as, ho9eve#, e##oneousl* and i!p#ope#l* used b* the cou#t belo9 as a basis in
dete#!inin$ the de$#ee of liabilit* of appellant and the penalt* to be i!posed on hi!. It !ust be !ade clea# that
appellant is cha#$ed 9ith the Bualified offense of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s in fu#the#ance of #ebellion unde#
P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// 9hich, in la9, is distinct f#o! the c#i!e of #ebellion punished unde# #ticles 3(0 and 3(+ of
the Revised Penal %ode. These a#e t9o sepa#ate statutes penali;in$ diffe#ent offenses 9ith disc#ete penalties. The
Revised Penal %ode t#eats #ebellion as a c#i!e apa#t f#o! !u#de#, ho!icide, a#son, o# othe# offenses, such as ille$al
possession of fi#ea#!s, that !i$ht conceivabl* be co!!itted in the cou#se of a #ebellion. P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//
defines and punishes, as a specific offense, the c#i!e of ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s co!!itted in the cou#se o# as pa#t
of a #ebellion.
22
s a !atte# of fact, in one case involvin$ the constitutionalit* of Section 3 of P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//, the %ou#t has
e6plained that said p#ovision of the la9 9ill not be invalidated b* the !e#e fact that the sa!e act is penali;ed unde# t9o
diffe#ent statutes 9ith diffe#ent penalties, even if conside#ed hi$hl* advanta$eous to the p#osecution and one#ous to the
accused.
2&
It follo9s that, sub:ect to the p#esence of the #eBuisite ele!ents in each case, unla9ful possession of an
unlicensed fi#ea#! in fu#the#ance of #ebellion !a* $ive #ise to sepa#ate p#osecutions fo# a violation of Section 3 of
P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.//, and also a violation of #ticles 3(0 and 3(+ of the Revised Penal %ode on #ebellion.
Double :eopa#d* in this case cannot be invo"ed because the fi#st is an offense punished b* a special la9 9hile the
second is a felon* punished b* the Revised Penal %ode,
24
9ith va#iant ele!ents.
It 9as a le$al !alap#opis! fo# the lo9e# cou#t to inte#:ect the afo#estated p#ovision of the Revised Penal %ode in this
p#osecution fo# a c#i!e unde# a special la9. %onseBuentl*, the#e is no basis fo# its #eco!!endation fo# e6ecutive
cle!enc* in favo# of appellant De >#acia afte# he shall have se#ved a :ail te#! of five *ea#s 9ith $ood behavio#. In an*
event, this is a !atte# 9ithin the e6clusive p#e#o$ative of the P#esident 9hose decision the#eon should be insulated
a$ainst an* tenuous i!po#tunit*.
Aithal, 9e a#e dul* convinced that the fi#ea#!s, e6plosives and a!!unition confiscated f#o! appellant De >#acia 9e#e
ille$all* possessed b* hi! in fu#the#ance of the #ebellion then ad!ittedl* e6istin$ at that ti!e. In the 9o#ds of the cou#t a
quo5
1. the natu#e and Buantit* of the ite!s M + bundles of %-0 d*na!ites, / ca#tons of M-3/ a!!o and
3-- bottles of !olotov bo!bs indicate that the #epo#ts #eceived b* the !ilita#* that the ?u#oca# Sales
&uildin$ 9as bein$ used b* the #ebels 9as not 9ithout basis. Those ite!s a#e clea#l* not fo# one=s
pe#sonal defense. The* a#e fo# offensive ope#ations. De >#acia ad!itted that pe# inst#uction of %ol.
Matillano he 9ent do9n to ?u#oca# Sales &uildin$ f#o! ntipolo to sta* $ua#d the#e.
His !anifestation of innocence of those ite!s and 9hat he has been $ua#din$ in that office is not
c#edible fo#5 2a4 he 9as a fo#!e# !ilita#* pe#sonnel7 2b4 at the bi#thda* pa#t* of %ol. Matillano on
Nove!be# (-, 3,., !an* soldie#s and e6-soldie#s 9e#e p#esent 9hich self-evidentl* discloses that
De >#acia, in the co!pan* of his boss, 9as still ve#* !uch at ho!e and constantl* in touch 9ith
soldie#s and the a#!ed #ebellion of Nove!be# (-, 3,., to Dece!be# . o# ,, 3,., 9as a !ilita#*
coup d= etat7 2c4 it appea#s that he is the onl* pe#son tas"ed 9ith ca#eta"in$ 2sic4 the#e in the
Matillano office, 9hich sho9s that he is a hi$hl* t#usted #i$ht-hand !an of %ol. Matillano7 and 2d4 as
he#etofo#e discussed, De >#acia 9as ea#lie# seen 9ith so!e !en 9ho fi#ed upon a ca# of the @P
intelli$ence a$ents.
25
P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3.// i!poses the death penalt* 9he#e the ille$al possession of fi#ea#!s and a!!unition is
co!!itted in fu#the#ance of #ebellion. t the ti!e the offense cha#$ed in this case 9as co!!itted unde# the $ove#nance
of that la9, the i!position of the death penalt* 9as p#osc#ibed b* the %onstitution. %onseBuentl*, appellant De >#acia
could onl* be sentenced to se#ve the penalt* of reclusion perpetua 9hich 9as co##ectl* !eted out b* the t#ial cou#t, albeit
9ith an e##oneous #eco!!endation in connection the#e9ith.
AH?R?@OR?, the i!pu$ned :ud$!ent of the t#ial cou#t is he#eb* @@IRM?D, but its #eco!!endation the#ein fo#
e6ecutive cle!enc* and the supposed basis the#eof a#e he#eb* D?8?T?D, 9ith costs a$ainst accused-appellant.
SO ORD?R?D.
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
?N &N%

G.R. No. 815'% O03o(e) &, 1991
IN THE MTTER OF THE PETITION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF RO7ERTO UMIL, ROLN!O !URL *n4 RENTO
#ILLNUE#, MNOLIT O. UMIL *n4 NICNOR P. !URL, FELICITS #. SESE, petitione#s,
vs.
FI!EL #. RMOS, MJ. GEN. RENTO !E #ILL, 7RIG. GEN. RMON MONTNO, 7RIG. GEN. LE8N!ER
GUIRRE, #espondents.
G.R. No+. 84581-82 O03o(e) &, 1991
MELI RO9UE *n4 :ILFRE!O 7UENO7R, petitione#s,
vs.
GEN. RENTO !E #ILL *n4 GEN, RMON MONTNO, #espondents.
G.R. No+. 8458&-84 O03o(e) &, 1991
IN THE MTTER OF THE PETITION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF TT;. !OMINGO T. NONUE#O *n4 RMON
CSIPLE< !OMINGO T. NONUE#O *n4 RMON CSIPLE, petitione#s,
vs.
HON. FI!EL #. RMOS, GEN. RENTO S. !E #ILL, COL. E#RISTO CRI=O, LT. COL. RE8 !. PI!, T>SGT.
CONR!O !E TORRES, S>SGT. RNOL! !URIN, *n4 Co22*n4-n6 O..-0e), PC-INP !e3en3-on Cen3e), C*25
C)*2e, 9ue?on C-3", #espondents.
G.R. No. 8&1'2 O03o(e) &, 1991
IN THE MTTER OF THE PPLICTION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF #IC@; . OC; N! !NN; RI#ER<
#IRGILIO . OC;, petitione#s,
vs.
7RIG. GEN. LE8N!ER GUIRRE, COL. HERCULES CTLUN, COL. NESTOR MRINO, #espondents.
G.R. No. 85%2% O03o(e) &, 1991
IN THE MTTER OF PPLICTION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF !EOGRCIS ESPIRITU, petitione#,
vs.
7RIG. GEN.LFRE!O S. LIM, COL. RICR!O RE;ES, #espondents.
G.R. No. 8'&&2 O03o(e) &, 1991
IN THE MTTER OF THE PETITION FOR H7ES CORPUS OF NRCISO 7. N$RENO< LFRE!O
N$RENO,petitione#,
vs.
THE STTION COMMN!ER OF THE MUNTINGLUP POLICE STTION, Mun3-n6/u5*, Me3)o M*n-/*, P>SGT.
JCINTO ME!IN, P>SGT. EL!IO TGLE, P>SGT. LE#I SOLE!!, *n4 P>SGT. MLTRO ROJ!O,#espondents.
9fren '. 6ercado for petitioners in G.R. No. :+;*< and G. R. No. :=+*>.
Ricardo C. ?almonte for petitioners in G.R. Nos. :-;:+-:>
osefina G. Camp$ell-Castillo for petitioners in G.R. Nos. :-;:=-:-.
Potenciano A. 8lores& r. for petitioner in G.R. No. :;<><.
The Solicitor General for the respondents.
R ? S O 8 E T I O N

PER CURIM<p
&efo#e the %ou#t a#e sepa#ate !otions filed b* the petitione#s in the above-entitled petitions, see"in$ #econside#ation of
the %ou#t=s decision p#o!ul$ated on , )ul* 3,,- 2the decision, fo# b#evit*4 9hich dis!issed the petitions, 9ith the
follo9in$ dispositive pa#t5
AH?R?@OR?, the petitions a#e he#eb* DISMISS?D, e6cept that in G.R. No. :;<>< 2?spi#itu vs.
8i!4, the bail bond fo# petitione#=s p#ovisional libe#t* is he#eb* o#de#ed #educed f#o! P/-,---.-- to
P3-,---.--. No costs.
The %ou#t avails of this oppo#tunit* to cla#if* its #ulin$ a be$ins 9ith the state!ent that the decision did not #ule M as
!an* !isunde#stood it to do M that !e#e suspicion that one is %o!!unist Pa#t* o# Ne9 People=s #!* !e!be# is a
valid $#ound fo# his a##est 9ithout 9a##ant. Mo#eove#, the decision !e#el* applied lon# e"istin# laws to the factual
situations obtainin$ in the seve#al petitions. !on$ these la9s a#e th outla9in$ the %o!!unist Pa#t* of the Philippines
2%PP4 si!ila# o#$ani;ations and penali;in$ !e!be#ship the#ein be dealt 9ith sho#tl*4. It is ele!enta#*, in this connection,
if these la9s no lon$e# #eflect the thin"in$ o# senti!ent of the people, it is %on$#ess as the elected #ep#esentative of the
people M not the %ou#t M that should #epeal, chan$e o# !odif* the!.
In thei# sepa#ate !otions fo# #econside#ation, petitione#s, in su!, !aintain5
3. That the assailed decision, in upholdin$ the validit* of the Buestioned a##ests !ade 9ithout
9a##ant, and in #el*in$ on the p#ovisions of the Rules of %ou#t, pa#ticula#l* Section + of Rule 33(
2##est4, dis#e$a#ds the fact that such a##ests violated the constitutional #i$hts of the pe#sons
a##ested7
1. That the doct#ine laid do9n in Garcia vs. 9nrile 1 and 2la#an vs. 9nrile 2 should be abandoned7
(. That the decision e##ed in conside#in$ the ad!issions !ade b* the pe#sons a##ested as to thei#
!e!be#ship in the %o!!unist Pa#t* of the Philippines<Ne9 People=s #!*, and thei# o9ne#ship of
the unlicensed fi#ea#!s, a!!unitions and subve#sive docu!ents found in thei# possession at the
ti!e of a##est, inas!uch as those confessions do not co!pl* 9ith the #eBui#e!ents on ad!issibilit*
of e6t#a:udicial ad!issions7
0. That the assailed decision is based on a !isapp#eciation of facts7
+. That >.R. No. .3+/' 2the E!il case4 should not be dee!ed !oot and acade!ic.
Ae find no !e#it in the !otions fo# #econside#ation.
It can not be ove#loo"ed that these a#e petitions fo# the issuance of the 9#it of ha$eas corpus, filed b* petitione#s unde#
the Rules of %ou#t. & The 9#it of ha$eas corpus e6ists as a speed* and effective #e!ed* to #elieve pe#sons f#o! unlawful
restraint. 4 The#efo#e, the function of the special p#oceedin$s of ha$eas corpus is to inBui#e into the le$alit* of one=s
detention, 5 so that if detention is ille$al, the detainee !a* be o#de#ed fo#th9it #eleased.
In the petitions at ba#, to asce#tain 9hethe# the detention petitione#s 9as ille$al o# not, the %ou#t befo#e #ende#in$
decision dated , )ul* 3,,-, loo"ed into 9hethe# thei# Buestioned a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant 9e#e !ade in acco#dance 9ith
la9. @o#, if the a##ests 9e#e !ade in acco#dance 9ith la9, 9ould follo9 that the detention #esultin$ f#o! such a##ests also
in acco#dance 9ith la9.
The#e can be no dispute that, as a #eneral rule, no peace office# o# pe#son has the po9e# o# autho#it* to a##est an*o
9ithout a 9a##ant of a##est, e"cept in those cases e"press authori)ed $% law. ' The la9 e6p#essl* allo9in$ a##ests 9itho
9a##ant is found in Section +, Rule 33( of the Rules of %ou#t 9hich states the $#ounds upon 9hich avalid arrest& without
warrant, can be conducted.
In the p#esent cases, the focus is unde#standabl* on Section +, pa#a$#aphs 2a4 and 2b4 of the said Rule 33(, 9hich #ead5
Sec. +. Arrest without warrant7 when lawful. M peace office# o# a p#ivate pe#son !a*, without a
warrant, a##est a pe#son5
2a4 Ahen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to he a##ested has co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is
atte!ptin$ to co!!it an offense7
2b4 Ahen an offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted, and he has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts
indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##est has co!!itted it7 and
. . . 2?!phasis supplied4.
The %ou#t=s decision of , )ul* 3,,- #ules that the a##est Rolando !ural 2>.R. No. .3+/'4 without warrant is :ustified it can
be said that, 9ithin the conte!plation of Section ; Rule ++=, he 2Du#al4 9as co!!ittin$ an offense, 9hen a##ested
because Du#al 9as a##ested fo# bein$ a !e!be# of the Ne9 People=s #!*, an outla9ed o#$ani;ation, 9he#e
!e!be#ship penali;ed, % and fo# subve#sion 9hich, li"e #ebellion is, unde# the doct#ine ofGarcia vs. 9nrile, 8 a continuin$
offense, thus5
The c#i!es of insu##ection o# #ebellion, subve#sion, conspi#ac* o# p#oposal to co!!it such c#i!es,
and othe# c#i!es and offenses co!!itted in the fu#the#ance 2sic4 on the occasion the#eof, o# incident
the#eto, o# in connection the#e9ith unde# P#esidential P#ocla!ation No. 1-0+, a#e all in the natu#e of
continuin$ offenses 9hich set the! apa#t f#o! the co!!on offenses, aside f#o! thei# essentiall*
involvin$ a !assive conspi#ac* of nation9ide !a$nitude. . . .
>iven the ideolo$ical content of !e!be#ship in the %PP<NP 9hich includes a#!ed st#u$$le fo# the ove#th#o9 of
o#$ani;ed $ove#n!ent, Du#al did not cease to be, o# beca!e less of a subve#sive, @OR PERPOS?S O@ RR?ST,
si!pl* because he 9as, at the ti!e of a##est, confined in the St. $nes Hospital. Du#al 9as identified as one of seve#al
pe#sons 9ho the da* befo#e his a##est, 9ithout 9a##ant, at the St. $nes Hospital, had shot t9o 214 %P%OM police!en
in thei# pat#ol ca#. That Du#al had shot the t9o 214 police!en in %aloocan %it* as pa#t of his !ission as a Lspa##o9L 2NP
!e!be#4 did not end the#e and then. Du#al, $iven anothe# oppo#tunit*, 9ould have shot o# 9ould shoot othe# police!en
an*9he#e as a$ents o# #ep#esentatives of o#$ani;ed $ove#n!ent. It is in this sense that subve#sion li"e #ebellion 2o#
insu##ection4 is pe#ceived he#e as a continuin# offense. Enli"e othe# so-called Lco!!onL offenses, i.e. adulte#*, !u#de#,
a#son, etc., 9hich $ene#all* end upon thei# co!!ission, subve#sion and #ebellion a#e ancho#ed on an ideolo#ical
$ase 9hich co!pels the #epetition of the sa!e acts of la9lessness and violence until the ove##idin$ ob:ective of
ove#th#o9in$ o#$ani;ed $ove#n!ent is attained.
No# can it be said that Du#al=s a##est 9as $#ounded on !e#e suspicion b* the a##estin$ office#s of his !e!be#ship in the
%PP<NP. His a##est 9as based on Lp#obable cause,L as suppo#ted b* actual facts that 9ill be sho9n he#eafte#.
Vie9ed f#o! anothe# but #elated pe#spective, it !a* also be said, unde# the facts of the E!il case, that the a##est of
Du#al falls unde# Section ;& para#raph @$A& Rule ++= of the Rules of %ou#t, 9hich #eBui#es t9o 214 conditions fo# a valid
a##estt 9ithout 9a##ant5 first, that the pe#son to be a##ested has :ust co!!itted an offense, and second, that the a##estin$
peace office# o# p#ivate pe#son has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##ested is the one 9ho
co!!itted the offense. Section +2b4, Rule 33(, it 9ill be noted, #efe#s to a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant, based on Lpe#sonal
"no9led$e of factsL acBui#ed b* the a##estin$ office# o# p#ivate pe#son.
It has been #uled that Lpe#sonal "no9led$e of facts,L in a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant !ust be based upon pro$a$le cause,
9hich !eans an actual belief o# #easonable $#ounds of suspicion 9
The $#ounds of suspicion a#e #easonable 9hen, in the absence of actual belief of the a##estin$ office#s, the suspicion that
the pe#son to be a##ested is p#obabl* $uilt* of co!!ittin$ the offense, is based on actual facts, i.e., suppo#ted b*
ci#cu!stances sufficientl* st#on$ in the!selves to c#eate the p#obable cause of $uilt of the pe#son to be a##ested. 10
#easonable suspicion the#efo#e !ust be founded on p#obable cause, coupled with #ood faith on the part of the peace
officers ma5in# the arrest. 11
These #eBuisites 9e#e co!plied 9ith in the E!il case and in the othe# cases at ba#.
In G.R. No. :+;*< @7mil caseA, !ilita#* a$ents, on 3 @eb#ua#* 3,.., 9e#e dispatched to the St. $nes Hospital,
Roosevelt venue, Jue;on %it*, to ve#if* a confidential info#!ation 9hich 9as #eceived b* thei# office, about a Lspa##o9
!anL 2NP !e!be#4 9ho had been ad!itted to the said hospital 9ith a $unshot 9ound7 that the info#!ation fu#the#
disclosed that the 9ounded !an in the said hospital 9as a!on$ the five 2+4 !ale Lspa##o9sL 9ho !u#de#ed t9o 214
%apco! !obile pat#ols the da* befo#e, o# on (3 )anua#* 3,.. at about 315-- o=cloc" noon, befo#e a #oad hu!p alon$
Macaninin$ St., &a$on$ &a##io, %aloocan %it*7 that based on the sa!e info#!ation, the 9ounded !an=s na!e 9as listed
b* the hospital !ana$e!ent as LRonnie )avellon,L t9ent*-t9o 2114 *ea#s old of &loc" 3-, 8ot 0, South %it* Ho!es,
&iPan, 8a$una. 12
Said confidential info#!ation #eceived b* the a##estin$ office#s, to the effect that an NP !e!be# 2Lspa##o9 unitL4 9as
bein$ t#eated fo# a $unshot 9ound in the na!ed hospital, is dee!ed #easonable and 9ith cause as it 9as based on
actual facts and suppo#ted b* ci#cu!stances sufficient to en$ende# a belief that an NP !e!be# 9as t#ul* in the said
hospital. The actual facts suppo#ted b* ci#cu!stances a#e5 first M the da* befo#e, o# on (3 )anua#* 3,.., t9o 214
%P%OM soldie#s 9e#e actuall* "illed in &a$on$ &a#io, %aloocan %it* b* five 2+4 Lspa##o9sL includin$ Du#al7 second B a
9ounded pe#son listed in the hospital #eco#ds as LRonnie )avellonL 9as actuall* then bein$ t#eated in St. $nes Hospital
fo# a $unshot 9ound7 third B as the #eco#ds of this case disclosed late#, LRonnie )avellonL and his add#ess ente#ed in the
hospital #eco#ds 9e#e fictitious and the 9ounded !an 9as in #ealit* Rolando Du#al.
In fine, the confidential info#!ation #eceived b* the a##estin$ office#s !e#ited thei# i!!ediate attention and action and, in
fact, it 9as found to be t#ue. ?ven the petitione#s in thei# !otion fo# #econside#ation, 1& believe that the confidential
info#!ation of the a##estin$ office#s to the effect that Du#al 9as then bein$ t#eated in St. $nes Hospital 9as actuall*
#eceived f#o! the attendin$ docto# and hospital !ana$e!ent in co!pliance 9ith the di#ectives of the la9, 14 and,
the#efo#e, ca!e f#o! #eliable sou#ces.
s to the condition that Lp#obable causeL !ust also be coupled 9ith acts done in $ood faith b* the office#s 9ho !a"e the
a##est, the %ou#t notes that the peace office#s 9no a##ested Du#al a#e dee!ed to have conducted the sa!e in $ood faith,
conside#in$ that la9 enfo#ce#s a#e p#esu!ed to #e$ula#l* pe#fo#! thei# official duties. The #eco#ds sho9 that the a##estin$
office#s did not appea# to have been ill-!otivated in a##estin$ Du#al. 15 It is the#efo#e clea# that the a##est, 9ithout
9a##ant, of Du#al 9as !ade in co!pliance 9ith the #eBui#e!ents of pa#a$#aphs 2a4 and 2b4 of Section +, Rule 33(.
Pa#entheticall*, it should be !entioned he#e that a fe9 da* afte# Du#al=s a##est, 9ithout 9a##ant, an info#!ation cha#$in$
double !u#de# 9ith assault a$ainst a$ents of pe#sons in autho#it* 9as filed a$ainst Du#al in the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of
%aloocan %it* 2%#i!inal %ase No. %-(-3314. He 9as thus p#o!ptl* placed unde# :udicial custod* 2as distin$uished f#o
custod* of the a##estin$ office#s4. On (3 u$ust 3,.., he 9a convicted of the c#i!e cha#$ed and sentenced to reclusion
perpetua. The :ud$!ent of conviction is no9 on appeal befo#e this %ou#t in >.R. No. .0,13.
s to Amelia Roque and Cilfredo Duenao$ra 2>.R. Nos. .0+.3-.14, !omin#o Anonuevo and Ramon Casiple 2>.R. Nos.
.0+.(-.04 and ?ic5% Oca%a 2>.R. No. .(3/14, thei# a##ests, 9ithout 9a##ant, a#e also :ustified. The* 9e#e sea#ched
pu#suant to sea#ch 9a##ants issued b* a cou#t of la9 and 9e#e found 9it unlicensed fi#ea#!s, e6plosives and<o#
a!!unition in thei# pe#sons. The* 9e#e, the#efo#e, cau$ht in fla#rante delicto 9hich :ustified thei# out#i$ht a##ests 9ithout
9a##ant, unde# Sec +2a4, Rule 33(, Rules of %ou#t. Pa#entheticall*, it should be !entioned he#e that a fe9 davs afte# thei#
a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant, info#!ations 9e#e filed in cou#t a$ainst said petitione#s, the#eb* placin$ the! 9ithin :udicial
custod* and disposition. @u#the#!o#e, &uenaob#a !ooted his o9n petition fo ha$eas corpus b* announcin$ to this %ou#t
du#in$ the hea#in$ of these petitions that he had chosen to #e!ain in detention in the custod* of the autho#ities.
Mo#e specificall*, the antecedent facts in the Lin fla#ranteL cases a#e5
3. On 1' )une 3,.., the !ilita#* a$ents #eceived info#!ation i!pa#ted b* a fo#!e# NP about the
ope#ations of the %PP and NP in Met#o Manila and that a ce#tain house occupied b* one Renato
%onstantine, located in the Villalu; %o!pound, Molave St., Ma#i"ina Hei$hts, Ma#i"ina, Met#o Manila
9as bein$ used as thei# safehouse7 that in vie9 of this info#!ation, the said house 9as placed unde#
!ilita#* su#veillance and on 31 u$ust 3,.., pursuant to a search warrant dul% issued $% court, a
sea#ch of the house 9as conducted7 that 9hen Renato %onstantine 9as then conf#onted he could
not p#oduce an* pe#!it to possess the fi#ea#!s, a!!unitions, #adio and othe# co!!unications
eBuip!ent, and he ad!itted that he 9as a #an"in$ !e!be# of the %PP. 1'
1. In the case of Cilfredo Duenao$ra, he a##ived at the house of Renato %onstantino in the evenin$
of 31 u$ust 3,.., and ad!itted that he 9as an NP cou#ie# and he had 9ith hi! lette#s to Renato
%onstantine and othe# !e!be#s of the #ebel $#oup.
(. On the othe# hand, the a##est of Amelia Roque 9as a conseBuence of the a##est of &uenaob#a
9ho had in his possession pape#s leadin$ to the 9he#eabouts of RoBue7 1% that, at the ti!e of he#
a##est, the !ilita#* a$ents found subve#sive docu!ents and live a!!unitions, and she ad!itted then
that the docu!ents belon$ed to he#.18
0. s #e$a#ds !omin#o Anonuevo and Ramon Casiple the* 9e#e a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant on 3(
u$ust 3,.., 9hen the* a##ived at the said house of Renato %onstantine in the evenin$ of said date7
that 9hen the a$ents f#is"ed the!, subve#sive docu!ents, and loaded $uns 9e#e found in the
latte#=s possession but failin$ to sho9 a pe#!it to possess the!. 19
+. Aith #e$a#d to ?ic5% Oca%a, she 9as a##ested, 9ithout 9a##ant 9hen she a##ived 2on 31 Ma*
3,..4 at the p#e!ises ofthe house of one &enito Tia!;on 9ho 9as believed to be the head of the
%PP<NP, and whose house was su$Eect of a search warrant dul% issued $% the court. t the ti!e of
he# a##est 9ithout 9a##ant the a$ents of the P%-Intelli$ence and Investi$ation found a!!unitions
and subve#sive docu!ents in the ca# of Oca*a. 20
It is to be noted in the above cases 2RoBue, &uenaob#a, nonuevo, %asiple and Oca*a4 that the #eason 9hich co!pelled
the !ilita#* a$ents to !a"e the a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant 9as the info#!ation $iven to the !ilita#* autho#ities that t9o 214
safehouses 2one occupied b* Renato %onstantine and the othe# b* &enito Tia!;on4 9e#e bein$ used b* the %PP<NP
fo# thei# ope#ations, 9ith info#!ation as to thei# e6act location and the na!es of Renato %onstantine and &enito Tia!;on
as #esidents o# occupants the#eof.
nd at the ti!e of the actual a##ests, the follo9in$ ci#cu!stances su##ounded said a##ests 2of RoBue, &uenaob#a,
nonuevo and %asiple4, 9hich confirmed the belief of the !ilita#* a$ents that the info#!ation the* had #eceived 9as t#ue
and the pe#sons to be a##ested 9e#e p#obabl* $uilt* of the co!!ission of ce#tain c#i!es5 first5 sea#ch 9a##ant 9as dul*
issued to effect the sea#ch of the %onstantine safehouse7 second5 found in the safehouse 9as a pe#son na!ed Renato
%onstantine, 9ho ad!itted that he 9as a #an"in$ !e!be# of the %PP, and found in his possession 9e#e unlicensed
fi#ea#!s and co!!unications eBuip!ent7 third5 at the ti!e of thei# a##ests, in thei# possession 9e#e unlicensed fi#ea#!s,
a!!unitions and<o# subve#sive docu!ents, and the* ad!itted o9ne#ship the#eof as 9ell as thei# !e!be#ship in the
%PP<NP. nd then, sho#tl* afte# thei# a##ests, the* 9e#e positivel* identified b* thei# fo#!e# co!#ades in the
o#$ani;ation as %PP<NP !e!be#s. In vie9 of these ci#cu!stances, the co##espondin$ info#!ations 9e#e filed in cou#t
a$ainst said a##ested pe#sons. The #eco#ds also sho9 that, as in the case of Du#al, the a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant !ade b*
the !ilita#* a$ents in the %onstantino safehouse and late# in the !elia RoBue house, do not appea# to have been ill-
!otivated o# i##e$ula#l* pe#fo#!ed.
Aith all these facts and ci#cu!stances e6istin$ befo#e, du#in$ and afte# the a##est of the afo#e-na!ed pe#sons 2Du#al,
&uenaob#a, RoBue, nonuevo, %asiple and Oca*a4, no p#udent an can sa* that it 9ould have been bette# fo# the !ilita#*
a$ents not to have acted at all and !ade an* a##est. That 9ould have been an unpa#donable ne$lect of official dut* and
a cause fo# disciplina#* action a$ainst the peace office#s involved.
@o#, one of the duties of la9 enfo#ce#s is to a##est la9b#ea"e#s in o#de# to place the! in the hands of e6ecutive and
:udicial autho#ities upon 9ho! devolves the dut* to investi$ate the acts constitutin$ the alle$ed violation of la9 and to
p#osecute and secu#e the punish!ent the#efo#. 21 n a##est is the#efo#e in the natu#e of an ad!inist#ative !easu#e. The
po9e# to a##est 9ithout 9a##ant is 9ithout li!itation as lon# as the #eBui#e!ents of Section +, Rule 33( a#e !et. This #ule
is founded on an ove#9hel!in$ public inte#est in peace and o#de# in ou# co!!unities.
In asce#tainin$ 9hethe# the a##est 9ithout 9a##ant is conducted in acco#dance 9ith the conditions set fo#th in Section +,
Rule 33(, this %ou#t dete#!ines not 9hethe# the pe#sons a##ested a#e indeed $uilt* of co!!ittin$ the c#i!e fo# 9hich
the* 9e#e a##ested. 22 Not evidence of $uilt, but Lp#obable causeL is the #eason that can validl* co!pel the peace
office#s, in the pe#fo#!ance of thei# duties and in the inte#est of public o#de#, to conduct an a##est 9ithout 9a##ant. 2&
The cou#ts should not e6pect of la9-enfo#ce#s !o#e than 9hat the la9 #eBui#es of the!. Ende# the conditions set fo#th in
Section +, Rule 33(, pa#ticula#l* pa#a$#aph 2b4 the#eof, even if the a##ested pe#sons a#e late# found to be innocent and
acBuitted, the a##estin$ office#s a#e not liable. 24 &ut if the* do not st#ictl* co!pl* 9ith the said conditions, the a##estin$
office#s can be held liable fo# the c#i!e of a#bit#a#* detention, 25 fo# da!a$es unde# #ticle (1 of the %ivil %ode 2' and<o#
fo# othe# ad!inist#ative sanctions.
In G.R. No. :;<><, 9spiritu, on 1( Nove!be# 3,.., 9as a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant, on the basis of the attestation of
ce#tain 9itnesses5 that about +5-- o=cloc" in the afte#noon of 11 Nove!be# 3,.., at the co#ne# of Ma$sa*sa* &ouleva#d
and Velencia St., Sta. Mesa, Manila, ?spi#itu spo"e at a $athe#in$ of d#ive#s and s*!pathi;e#s, 9he#e he said, a!on$
othe# thin$s5
&u"as tulo* an$ 9el$a natin . . . han##an# sa ma#5a#ulona. 2% 2?!phasis supplied4
and that the police autho#ities 9e#e p#esent du#in$ the p#ess confe#ence held at the National P#ess %lub 2NP%4 on 11
Nove!be# 3,.. 9he#e ?spi#itu called fo# a nation9ide st#i"e 2of :eepne* and bus d#ive#s4 on 1( Nove!be#
3,... 28 ?spi#itu 9as a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant, not fo# subve#sion o# an* Lcontinuin$ offense,L but fo# utte#in$ the above-
Buoted lan$ua$e 9hich, in the pe#ception of the a##estin$ office#s, 9as incitin# to sedition.
Man* pe#sons !a* diffe# as to the validit* of such pe#ception and #e$a#d the lan$ua$e as fallin$ 9ithin f#ee speech
$ua#anteed b* the %onstitution. &ut, then, ?spi#itu had not lost the #i$ht to insist, du#in$ the p#e-t#ial o# t#ial on the !e#its,
that he 9as :ust e6e#cisin$ his #i$ht to f#ee speech #e$a#dless of the cha#$ed at!osphe#e in 9hich it 9as utte#ed. &ut, the
autho#it* of the peace office#s to !a"e the a##est, 9ithout 9a##ant, at the ti!e the 9o#ds 9e#e utte#ed, o# soon the#eafte#,
is still anothe# thin$. In the balancin$ of autho#it* and f#eedo!, 9hich obviousl* beco!es difficult at ti!es, the %ou#t has,
in this case, tilted the scale in favo# of autho#it* $ut onl% for purposes of the arrest 2not conviction4. 8et it be noted that the
%ou#t has o#de#ed the bail fo# ?spi#itu=s #elease to be #educed f#o! P/-,---.-- to P3-,---.--.
8et it also be noted that supe#venin$ events have !ade the 9spiritu case !oot and acade!ic. @o# ?spi#itu had befo#e
a##ai$n!ent as"ed the cou#t a quo fo# #e-investi$ation, the peace office#s did not appea#. &ecause of this develop!ent,
the defense as"ed the cou#t a quo at the #esu!ption of the hea#in$s to dis!iss the case. %ase a$ainst ?spi#itu 2%#i!inal
%ase No. ..-/.(.+4 has been p#ovisionall* dis!issed and his bail bond cancelled.
In G.R. No. :*==> 2Na)areno4, the #eco#ds sho9 that in the !o#nin$ of 30 Dece!be# 3,.., Ro!ulo &un*e II 9as "illed
b* a $#oup of !en in laban$, Muntinlupa, Met#o Manila7 that at about +5-- o=cloc" in the !o#nin$ of 1. Dece!be# 3,..,
Ra!il Re$ala, one of the suspects in the said "illin$, 9as a##ested and he pointed to Na#ciso Na;a#eno as one of his
co!panions du#in$ the "illin$ of &un*e II7 that at '51- of the sa!e !o#nin$ 21. Dece!be# 3,..4, the police a$ents
a##ested Na;a#eno, 9ithout 9a##ant, fo# investi$ation. 29
lthou$h the "illin$ of &un*e II occu##ed on 30 Dece!be# 3,.., 9hile Na;a#eno=s a##est 9ithout 9a##ant 9as !ade onl*
on 1. Dece!be# 3,.., o# 30 da*s late#, the a##est fans unde# Section +2b4 of Rule 33(, since it 9as onl* on 1.
Dece!be# 3,.. that the police autho#ities ca!e to "no9 that Na;a#eno 9as p#obabl* one of those $uilt* in the "illin$ of
&un*e II and the a##est had to be !ade p#o!ptl*, even 9ithout 9a##ant, 2afte# the police 9e#e ale#ted4 and despite the
lapse of fou#teen 2304 da*s to p#event possible fli$ht.
s sho9n in the decision unde# conside#ation, this %ou#t, in upholdin$ the a##est 9ithout 9a##ant of Na;a#eno noted
seve#al facts and events su##oundin$ his a##est and detention, as follo9s5
. . . on ( )anua#* 3,., 2o# si6 2/4 da*s afte# his a##est 9ithout 9a##ant4, an info#!ation cha#$in$
Na#ciso Na;a#eno, Ra!il Re$ala and t9o 214 othe#s, 9ith the "illin$ of Ro!ulo &un*e II 9as filed 9it
the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Ma"ati, Met#o Manila. The case is doc" eted the#ein as %#i!inal %ase No.
'(3.
On ' )anua#* 3,.,, Na#ciso Na;a#eno filed a !otion to post bail but the !otion 9as denied b* the
t#ial cou#t in an o#de# dated 3- )anua#* 3,.,, even as the !otion to post bail, ea#lie# filed b* his co-
accused, Manuel 8au#ea$a, 9as $#anted b* the sa!e t#ial cou#t.
On 3( )anua#* 3,.,, a petition fo# ha$eas corpus 9as filed 9ith this %ou#t on behalf of Na#ciso
Na;a#eno and on 3( )anua#* 3,.,, the %ou#t issued the 9#it of ha$eas corpus, #etu!able to the
P#esidin$ )ud$e of the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of &ifian, 8a$una, &#anch 10, o#de#in$ said cou#t to hea#
the case on (- )anua#* 3,., and the#eafte# #esolve the petition.
t the conclusion of the hea#in$, o# on 3 @eb#ua#* 3,.,, the P#esidin$ )ud$e of the Re$ional T#ial
%ou#t of &iPan, 8a$una issued a #esolution den*in$ the petition fo# ha$eas corpus, it appea#in$ that
the said Na#ciso Na;a#eno is in the custod* of the #espondents b* #eason of an info#!ation filed
a$ainst hi! 9ith the Re$ional T#ial %ou#t of Ma"ati, Met#o Manila 9hich liad ta"en co$ni;ance of
said case and had, in fact, denied the !otion fo# bail filed b* said Na#ciso Na;a#eno 2p#esu!abl*
because of the st#en$th of the evidence a$ainst hi!4.
This %ou#t #eite#ates that sho#tl* afte# the a##ests of 9spiritu and Na)areno& the co##espondin$ info#!ations a$ainst the!
9e#e filed in cou#t. The a##ests of ?spi#itu and Na;a#eno 9e#e based on p#obable cause and suppo#ted b* factual
ci#cu!stances. The* co!plied 9ith conditions set fo#th in Section +2b4 of Rule 33(. The* 9e#e not a#bit#a#* o# 9hi!sical
a##ests.
Pa#entheticall*, it should be he#e stated that Na;a#eno has since been convicted b* the cou#t a quo fo# !u#de# and
sentenced to reclusion perpetua. He has appealed the :ud$!ent of conviction to the %ou#t of ppeals 9he#e it is pendin$
as of this date 2 %->.R. No. still undoc"eted4.
Petitione#s contend that the decision of , )ul* 3,,- i$no#ed the contitution #eBuisiteds fo# ad!issibilit* of an e6t#a:udicial
ad!ission.
In the case of Duenao$ra 2>.R. Nos. .0+.3-.14, he ad!itted &0 that he 9as an NP cou#ie#. On the othe# hand, in the
case of Amelia Roque, she ad!itted &1 that the unlicensed fi#ea#!s, a!!unition and subve#sive docu!ents found in he#
possession du#in$ he# a##est, belon$ed to he#.
The %ou#t, it is t#ue, too" into account the ad!issions of the a##ested pe#sons of thei# !e!be#ship in the %PP<NP, as
9ell as thei# o9ne#ship of the unlicensed fi#ea#!s, a!!unitions and docu!ents in thei# possession. &ut a$ain, these
ad!issions, as #evealed b* the #eco#ds, st#en$then the %ou#t=s pe#ception that t#ul* the $#ounds upon 9hich the a##estin$
office#s based thei# a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant, a#e suppo#ted b* p#obable cause, i.e. that the pe#sons a##ested 9e#e
p#obabl* $uilt* of the co!!ission of ce#tain offenses, in co!pliance 9ith Section +, Rule 33( of the Rules of %ou#t. To
note these ad!issions, on the othe# hand, is not to #ule that the pe#sons a##ested a#e al#ead* $uilt* of the offenses upon
9hich thei# 9a##antless a##ests 9e#e p#edicated. The tas" of dete#!inin$ the $uilt o# innocence of pe#sons a##ested
9ithout 9a##ant is not p#ope# in a petition fo# ha$eas corpus. It pe#tains to the t#ial of the case on the !e#its.
s to the a#$u!ent that the doct#ines in Garcia vs. 9nrile, and 2la#an vs. 9nrile should be abandoned, this %ou#t finds no
co!pellin$ #eason at this time to distu#b the sa!e, pa#ticula#l* ln the li$ht of p#evailin$ conditions 9he#e national secu#it*
and liabilit* a#e still di#ectl* challen$ed pe#haps 9ith $#eate# vi$o# f#o! the co!!unist #ebels. Ahat is i!po#tant is that
eve#v a##est 9ithout 9a##ant be tested as to its le$alit* via ha$eas corpus p#oceedin$. This %ou#t. 9ill p#o!ptl* loo" into
M and all othe# app#op#iate cou#ts a#e en:oined to do the sa!e M the le$alit* of the a##est 9ithout 9a##ant so that if the
conditions unde# Sec. + of Rule 33(, Rules of %ou#t, as elucidated in this Resolution, a#e not !et, then the detainee shall
fo#th9ith be o#de#ed #eleased7 but if such conditions a#e !et, then the detainee shall not be !ade to lan$uish in his
detention but !ust be p#o!ptl* t#ied to the end that he !a* be eithe# acBuitted o# convicted, 9ith the least dela*, as
9a##anted b* the evidence.
A 8inal Cord
This Resolution ends as it be$an, #eite#atin$ that !e#e suspicion of bein$ a %o!!unist Pa#t* !e!be# o# a subve#sive
is a$solutel% not a $#ound fo# the a##est 9ithout 9a##ant of the suspect. The %ou#t p#edicated the validit* of the
Buestioned a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant in these petitions, not on !e#e unsubstantiated suspicion, but on co!pliance 9ith the
conditions set fo#th in Section +, Rule 33(, Rules of %ou#t, a lon$ e6istin$ la9, and 9hich, fo# st#ess, a#e pro$a$le
cause and #ood faith of the a##estin$ peace office#s, and, fu#the#, on the basis of, as the #eco#ds sho9, the actual facts
and circumstances suppo#tin$ the a##ests. Mo#e than the allu#e of popula#it* o# palatabilit* to so!e $#oups, what is
important is that the Court $e ri#ht.
%%ORDIN>8H, the !otions fo# #econside#ation of the decision dated , )ul* 3,,-, a#e D?NI?D. This denial is @IN8.
SO ORD?R?D.
Narvasa& 6elencio-'errera& Paras& Padilla& Didin& Gri0o-Aquino& 6edialdea and !avide& r.& .& concur.



Se5*)*3e O5-n-on+

FERNN, C.J., concu##in$ and dissentin$5
fte# a deep and tho#ou$h #ee6a!ination of the decision of )ulv ,, 3,,- and an e6haustive evaluation of the !otions fo#
#econside#ation of the said decision, I a! inclined to a$#ee 9ith the, !a:o#it*=s #esolution on said !otions fo#
#econside#ation e6cept fo# the le$alit* of the 9a##antless a##ests of petitione# Deo$#acias ?spi#itu fo# the c#i!e of incitin$
to sedition and petitione# lf#edo Na;a#eno fo# the c#i!e of !u#de#.
In the 9o#ds of the #esolution, ?spi#itu L9as a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant, not fo# subve#sion o# an* =continuin$ offense,= but
fo# utte#in$L the follo9in$5 L&u"as tulo* an$ 9el$a natin . . . han$$an$ sa !a$"a$ulo na.L ppa#entl*, such state!ent
9as, in the pe#ception of the a##estin$ office#s, incitin$ to sedition. Ahile not concedin$ the validit* of such pe#ception,
#eali;in$ that it is indeed possible that ?spi#itu 9as !e#el* e6e#cisin$ his #i$ht to f#ee speech, the #esolution nonetheless
suppo#ts the autho#it* of peace office#s Lonl% for purposes of the arrest.L
I find this position to be adve#se to the ve#* essence of the #esolution 9hich sanctions 9a##antless a##ests p#ovided the*
a#e !ade in acco#dance 9ith la9. In the fi#st place, ?spi#itu !av not be conside#ed as havin$ L:ust co!!ittedL the c#i!e
cha#$ed. He alle$edl* fi#st utte#ed seditious #e!a#"s at the National P#ess %lub in the afte#noon of Nove!be# 31, 3,...
The second alle$edl* seditious #e!a#" afo#eBuoted 9as !ade at a#ound +5-- o=cloc" in the sa!e afte#noon 2Decision,
pp. 1(-104. Ende# these ci#cu!stances, the la9 enfo#ce!ent a$ents had ti!e, sho#t thou$h it !i$ht see!, to secu#e a
9a##ant fo# his a##est. ?spi#itu=s app#ehension !a* not the#efo#e be conside#ed as cove#ed b* Section +2b4 of Rule 33(
9hich allo9s 9a##antless a##ests L9hen an offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted.L
The sa!e obse#vation applies 9ith $#eate# fo#ce in the case of Na;a#eno 9ho 9as a##ested 30 da*s afte# the
co!!ission of the c#i!e i!puted to hi!.
Secondl*, 9a##antless a##ests !a* not be allo9ed if the a##estin$ office# a#e not su#e 9hat pa#ticula# p#ovision of la9 had
bee#i violated b* the pe#son a##ested. T#ue it is that la9 en.o#ce!ent a$ents and even p#osecuto#s a#e not all adept at the
Ho9eve#, e##neous pe#ception, not to !ention ineptitude a!on$ thei# #an"s, especiall* if it 9ould #esult in the violation of
an* #i$ht of a pe#son, !a* not be tole#ated. That the a##ested pe#son has the L#i$ht to insist du#in$ the p#e-t#ial o# t#ial on
the !e#itsL 2Resolution., p. 3.4 that he 9as e6e#cisin$ a #i$ht 9hich the a##estin$ office# conside#ed as cont#a#* to la9, is
beside the point. No pe#son should be sub:ected to the o#deal of a t#ial :ust because the la9 enfo#ce#s 9#on$l* pe#ceived
his action.
Thi#dl*, incitin$ to sedition is not a continuous c#i!e fo# 9hich the offende# !a* be a##ested 9ithout a 9a##ant dul* issued
b* the p#ope# autho#it*. &* its natu#e, a sin$le act of u#$in$ othe#s to co!!it an* of the acts enu!e#ated in #ticle 301 of
the Revised Penal %ode !a* suffice to hold an*one liable fo# incitin$ to sedition. Ahile the c#i!e is ai!ed at ana#ch*
and #adicalis! and p#esents la#$el* a Buestion of polic* 2?spuelas vs. People, ,- Phil, +10 C3,+3D4, it should be
#e!e!be#ed that an* of the p#ohibited acts in #ticle 301 !a* inf#in$e upon the funda!ental f#eedo!s of speech and
e6p#ession. The#e a#ises, the#efo#e, the necessit* of balancin$ inte#ests7 those of the State as a$ainst those of its
individual citi;en. He#e lies the u#$enc* of :udicial inte#vention befo#e an a##est is !ade. dded to this is the sub:ectivit*
of the dete#!ination of 9hat !a* incite othe# people to sedition. Hence, 9hile the police should act s9iftl* 9hen a
seditious state!ent has been utte#ed in vie9 of the :eopa#d* it !a* cause the $ove#n!ent, speed* action should consist
not in 9a##antless a##ests but in secu#in$ 9a##ants fo# such a##ests.
On the le$alit* of 9a##antless a##ests of violato#s of the nti-Subve#sion 8a9, it should be unde#sco#ed that an*one 9ho
unde#ta"es such a##est !ust see to it that the alle$ed violato# is 5nowin# !e!be# of a subve#sive o#$ani;ation as
distin$uished f#o! a nominal one 2People vs. @e##e#, 8-(1/3(-30, Dece!be# 1', 3,'1, 0. S%R (.14. Thus, a
subve#sive !a* be a##ested even if has not co!!itted ove#t act of ove#th#o9in$ the $ove#n!ent such as bo!bin$ of
$ove#n!ent offices t#ie assassination of $ove#n!ent officials p#ovided the#e is p#obable cause to believe that he is in the
#oll of !e!be#s of a subve#sive o#$ani;ation. It devolves upon the accused to p#ove !e!be#ship b* fo#ce o# cio#cion.
%e#tainl*, one !a* not be in such a #oll 9ithout unde#$oin$ the concious act of enlist!ent.
It bea#s #epeatin$ theat 9a##antless a##ests a#e $ove#ned b* la9 and sub:ect to st#in$ent application. Section +, Rule 33(
of the Rules on %#i!inal P#ocedu#e no9 #eBui#es that an offense Lhas in fact Eust been co!!itted. Lconnotes i!!ediac*
in point of ti!e and e6cludes cases unde# the old #ule 9he#e an offense =has in fact been co!!itted= no ho9 lon$ a$o.
Si!ila#l*, the arrestor must have 3personal 5nowled#e of the facts indicatin$ that the Ca##esteeD has co!!itted it= 2instead
of :ust =#easonable $#ound believe that the Ca##esteeD has co!!itted it= unde# the old #ule4.L 2Dissentin$ opinion in 2la#an
vs. 9nrile& >.R. No. '-'0., Octobe# 13, 3,.+, 3(, S%R (0,, 0-.4.
I dee! it apthe#ein to #ecall othe# %ou#t #ulin$s p#ovide $uidelines in effectin$ a##ests 9ithout 9a##ants. In People
vs. Dur#os 2>.R. No. /.,++, Septe!be# 0, 3,./,300 S%R 34, the %ou#t conside#ed as ille$al the 9a##antless a##est of a
subve#sive not based on the a##estin$ office#=s pe#sonal "no9led$e such subve#sion and held that an* #ule on a##ests
9itho 9a##ants !ust be st#ictl* const#ued. Ae cate$o#icall* state the#ein that 9a##antless a##ests should Lclea#l* fall 9ithin
the situations 9hen secu#in$ a 9a##ant be absu#d o# is !anifestl* unnecessa#* 9as p#ovided b* the RulesL 2300 S%R at
304. Mo#eove#. Lit is not enou$h that the#e is #easonable $#ound to believe that the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted
a c#i!e. c#i!e !ust in fact o# actuall* 2has :ust4 been co!!itted fi#st. That c#i!e has actuall* been co!!itted is an
essential p#econdition. It is not enou$h to suspect that a c#i!e !a* have been co!!itted. The fact of the co!!ission of
the offense !ust be undisputed. The test of #easonable $#ound applies onl* to the identit* of the pe#pet#ato#. 2Supra, at
p. 3+4.
?a#lie#, in 6orales& r. vs. 9nrile 2>.R. No. /3-3/, p#il 1/, 3,.(, 313 S%R +(.4, the %ou#t laid out the p#ocedu#e to be
obse#ved the !o!ent a pe#son is a##ested5
t the ti!e a pe#son is a##ested, it shall be the dut* of the a##estin$ office# to i!fo#! hi! of the
#eason fo# the a##est and he !ust be sho9n the 9a##ant of a##est, if an*. He shall be info#!ed of his
constitutional #i$hts to #e!ain silent and to counsel, and that an* state!ent he !i$ht !a"e could be
used a$ainst hi!. The pe#son shall have the #i$ht to co!!unicate 9ith his la9*e#, a #elative, o#
an*one he chooses b* the !ost e6pedient !eans M b* telephone if possible M o# b* lette# o#
!essen$e#. It shall be the #esponsibilit* of the a##estin$ office# to see to it that this is acco!plished.
No custodial investi$ation shall be conducted unless it be in the p#esence of counsel en$a$ed b* the
pe#son a##essted, b* an* pe#son on his behalf, o# appointed b* the cou#t upon petition on his behalf,
o# appointed the cou#t upon the petition eithe# of the detainee hi!self o# b* an*one on his behalf.
The #i$ht to counsel !a* be 9aived but the 9aive# shall not be valid unless !ade 9ith the
assistance of counsel. n* state!ent obtained in violation of the p#ocedu#e he#ein laid do9n,
9hethe# e6culpato#* o# inculpato#*, in 9hole o# in pa#t shall be inad!issible evidence. 2313 S%R at
++04.
These :udicial p#onounce!ents !ust be obse#ved b* eve#*one conce#ned5 the !ilita#* and civilian co!ponents of the
$ove#n!ent tas"ed 9ith la9 enfo#ce!ent as 9ell as the o#dina#* citi;en 9ho faces a situation 9he#ein civic dut*
de!ands his inte#vention to p#ese#ve peace in the co!!unit*.
I a! not un!indful of the fact that abuses occu# in a##ests especiall* of offende#s of c#i!es 9ith a political o# ideolo$ical
ele!ent. Such abuses a#e !o#e often than not, t#i$$e#ed b* the difficult* in findin$ evidence that could stand :udicial
sc#utin* M to pinpoint a subve#sive, police office#s usuall* have to !a"e lon$ pe#sistent su#veillance. Ho9eve#, fo# the
o#de#l* ad!inist#ation of $ove#n!ent and the !aintenance of peace and o#de# in the count#*, $ood faith should be
#eposed on the officials i!ple!entin$ the la9. fte# all, 9e a#e not 9antin$ in la9s to hold an* offendin$ peace office#
liable both ad!inist#ativel* and c#i!inall* fo# abuses in the pe#fo#!ance of thei# duties. Victi!s of abuses should #eso#t to
le$al #e!edies to #ed#ess thei# $#ievances.
If e6istin$ la9s a#e inadeBuate, the polic*-dete#!inin$ b#anches of the $ove#n!ent !a* be e6ho#ted peacefull* b* the
citi;en#* to effect positive chan$es. This %ou#t, !andated b the %onstitution to uphold the la9, can onl* $o as fa# as inte#
p#utin$ e6istin$ la9s and the spi#it behind the!. Othe#9ise, 9e hail be ente#in$ the dan$e#ous $#ound of :udicial
le$islation.
GUTIERRE$, JR., J., concu##in$ and dissentin$5
The philosoph* adopted in ou# %onstitution is that libe#t* is an essential condition fo# o#de#, It is distu#bin$ 9heneve# the
%ou#t leans in the di#ection of o#de# instead of libe#t* in ha# cases co!in$ befo#e us.
People all ove# the 9o#ld a#e fast acceptin$ the theo#* that onl* as a societ* encou#a$es f#eedo! and pe#!its dissent
can it have lastin$ secu#it* and #eal p#o$#ess, the theo#* that enhancin$ o#de# th#ou$h const#aints on f#eedo! is
deceptive because #est#ictions on libe#t* co##ode the ve#* values >oven!ent p#etends to p#o!ote. I believe 9e should
!ove 9ith the people of the 9o#ld 9ho a#e fast libe#atin$ the!selves.
I, the#efo#e, vote fo# the st#ict application of Section + 2a4 and 2b4 of Rule 33( on a##ests 9ithout 9a##ant, to 9it5
Sec. +. Arrest without warrant7 when lawful. M peace office# o# a p#ivate pe#son !a*, 9ithout a
9a##ant, a##est a pe#son5
2a4 Ahen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is
atte!ptin$ to co!!it an offense7
2b4 Ahen an offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted, and he has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts
indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted it.
666 666 666
Onl* in the cases found in the Rule should 9e allo9 a##ests 9ithout 9a##ants. In case of doubt, the tendenc* should be to
decla#e the 9a##antless a##est ille$al.
Insofa# as >.R. Nos, .0+.3-.1, >.R. Nos. .0+.(-.0 and >.R. No. .(3/1 involvin$ !elia RoBue, Ailf#edo &uenaob#a,
Do!in$o nonuevo, Ra!on %asiple, and Vic"* Oca*a a#e conce#ned, the petitione#s 9e#e a##ested afte# havin$ been
app#ehended 9hile in possession of ille#al firearms and ammunitions. The* 9e#e actuall* co!!ittin$ a c#i!e 9hen
a##ested. I concu# in the denial of thei# !otions fo# #econside#ation.
I vote to $#ant the !otion fo# #econside#ation in >.R. No. .+'1' 9he#e Deo$#acias ?spi#itu 9as a##ested 9hile u#$in$
:eepnev and bus d#ive#s to :oin a st#i"e of t#anspo#t 9o#"e#s on the $#ound that that 9as incitin$ to sedition.
This i!p#esses !e as %ou#t validation of a clea# inf#in$e!ent of an individual=s f#eedo! of speech. LIncitin$ to seditionL
is a te#! ove# 9hich the !ost lea#ned 9#ite#s and :u#ists 9ill diffe# 9hen applied to actual cases. I doubt if the#e a#e !o#e
than a handful of police!en in the 9hole count#* 9ho 9ould "no9 the full di!ensions of the fine distinctions 9hich
sepa#ate the nation=s inte#est in the libe#t* to full* anfd f#eel* discuss !atte#s of national i!po#tance on one hand and the
application of the clea# and p#esent dan$e# #ule as the test 9hen clai!s of national secu#it* and public safet* a#e
asse#ted, on the othe#. In fact, the pe#centa$e of "no9led$eabilit* 9ould $o do9n fu#the# if 9e conside# that Lincitin$ to
seditionL #eBui#es the abilit* to define, a!on$ othe# 234 9hat "inds of speeches o# 9#itin$s fall lande# the te#! Lincitin$L
214 the !eanin$ of #isin$ pu$licl% and tumultousl%7 2(,4 9hen does a ce#tain effo#t a!ount to fo#ce, inti!idation. o# ille#al
method7 204 9hat constitute the five o$Eects or ends of sedition7 and 2+4 9hat is a scu##ilous libel a$ainst the Philippines. If
9e allo9 public spea"e#s to be pic"ed up si!pl* because 9hat the* sa* is i##itatin$ o# obno6ious to the ea#s of a peace
office# o# c#itical of $ove#n!ent polic* and action, 9e 9ill unde#!ine all p#onounce!ents of this %ou#t on the need to
p#otect that !at#i6 of all f#eedo!s, 9hich is f#eedo! of e6p#ession. t the ve#* least, a 9a##ant of a##est afte# a
p#eli!ina#* e6a!ination b* a )ud$e is essential in this t*pe of offense.
Insofa# as >.R. No. .3+/' is conce!ed, I :oin the othe# dissentin$ )ustices in thei# obse#vations #e$a#din$ Lcontinuin$
oftenses.L To base 9a##antless a##ests on the doct#ine of continuin$ offense is to $ive a license fo# the ille$al detention of
pe#sons on pu#e suspicion. Rebellion, insu##ection, o# sedition a#e political offenses 9he#e the line bet9een ove#t acts
and si!ple advocac* o# adhe#ence to a belief is e6t#e!el* thin. If a cou#t has convicted an accused of #ebellion and he is
found #oa!in$ a#ound, he !a* be a##ested. &ut until a pe#son is p#oved $uilt*, I fail to see ho9 an*bod* can :u!p to a
pe#sonal conclusion that the suspect is indeed a #ebel and !ust be pic"ed up on si$ht 9heneve# seen. The $#ant of
autho#it* in the !a:o#it* opinion is too b#oad. If 9a##antless sea#ches a#e to be validated, it should be %on$#ess and not
this %ou#t 9hich should d#a9 st#ict and na##o9 standa#ds. Othe#9ise, the non-#ebels 9ho a#e c#itical, nois*, o# obno6ious
9ill be indisc#i!inatel* lu!ped up 9ith those actuall* ta"in$ up a#!s a$ainst the >ove#n!ent.
The belief of la9 enfo#ce!ent autho#ities, no !atte# ho9 9ell $#ounded on past events, that the petitione# 9ould p#obabl*
shoot othe# police!en 9ho! he !a* !eet does not validate 9a##antless a##ests. I cannot unde#stand 9h* the autho#ities
p#efe##ed to bide thei# ti!e, a9ait the petitione#=s su#facin$ f#o! unde#$#ound, and pounce on hi! 9ith no le$al autho#it*
instead of secu#in$ 9a##ants of a##est fo# his app#ehension. The subseBuent conviction of a pe#son a##ested ille$all* does
not the 9a##antless a##est.
In >.R. No. ./((1, Ro!ulo &un*e 9as "illed on Dece!be# 30, 3,... The info#!ation that Na#ciso Na;a#eno 9as one of
the "ille#s ca!e to the attention of peace office#s onl* on Dece!be# 1., 3,.. o# fou#teen 2304 da*s late#. To sa* that the
offense Lhas in fact :ust been co!!ittedL even if 30 da*s have lapsed is to st#etch Rule 33 ( on 9a##antless a##ests into
#idiculous li!its. 9a##ant of a##est is essential in this case. I vote to $#ant the !otion fo# #econside#ation.
The subseBuent conviction of a pe#son a##ested ille$all* does not #each bac" into the past and #ende# le$al 9hat 9as
ille$al. The violation of the constitutional #i$ht a$ainst ille$al sei;u#es is not cu#ed b* the fact that the a##ested pe#son is
indeed $uilt* of the offense fo# 9hich he 9as sei;ed. $ove#n!ent of la9s !ust abide b* its o9n %onstitution.
%ONSID?RIN> TH? @OR?>OIN>, I VOT? TO5
234 D?NH the !otions fo# #econside#ation in >.R. Nos. .0+.3-.17 >.R. No. .0+.(-.07 and >.R. No. .(3/17
214 >RNT the !otion fo# #econside#ation in >.R. No. .+'1'7
2(4 >RNT the !otion fo# #econside#ation in >.R. No. ./((17and
204 >RNT the !otion fo# #econside#ation in >.R. No. .3+/'.
CRU$, J., Sepa#ate Opinion5
I #eite#ate !* concu##ence 9ith the ponencia insofa# as it dis!issed the petitions of those 9ho 9e#e a##ested infla#rante,
o# subseBuentl* posted bail o# chose to #e!ain in the custod* of the !ilita#*, o# volunta#il* pe#!itted the sea#ch of the
house 9ithout 9a##ant. I do not thin" that unde# the applicable ci#cu!stances the petitione#s can validl* co!plain that
the* a#e bein$ unla9full* detained.
&ut I !ust a$ain e6p#ess !a* dissent to the continued obse#vance of Garcia-Padilla vs. 9nrile, 313 S%R 0'1, to :ustif*
the 9a##antless a##est and detention of the othe# petitione#s on the $#ound that the* 9e#e app#ehended fo# the continuin$
offenses of #ebellion and othe# allied c#i!es.
Ae find in the said decision this pa#tltula#l* distu#bin$ obse#vation, 9hich 9as Buoted 9ith app#oval in the
o#i$inalponencia5
The a##est of pe#sons involved in the #ebellion, 9hethe# as its fi$htin$ a#!ed ele!ents, o# fo#
co!!ittin$ non-violent acts but in fu#the#ance of the #ebellion, is more an act of capturin# them in
the course of an armed conflict, to Buell the #ebellion, than fo# the pu#pose of i!!ediatel*
p#osecutin$ the! in cou#t fo# a statuto#* offense. The a##est, the#efo#e, need not follow the usual
procedure in the prosecution of offenses which requires the determination $% a Eud#e of the
e"istence of pro$a$le cause $efore the issuance of arrest and the $#antin$ of bail of the offense is
bailable. Obviousl*, the a$sence of a Eudicial warrant is no le#al impediment to a##estin$ o# captu#in$
pe#sons co!!ittin$ ove#t acts of violence a$ainst $oven!ent fo#ces, o# an* othe# !ilde# acts but
eBuall* in pu#suance of the #ebellious !ove!ent. 2?!phasis supplied.4
The t#eat!ent su$$ested envisions an actual state of 9a# and is :ustified onl* 9hen a #eco$nition of beui$e#enc* is
acco#ded b* the le$iti!ate $ove#n!ent to the #ebels, #esultin$ in the application of the laws of war in the #e$ulation of
thei# #elations. The #ebels a#e then conside#ed alien ene!ies-to be t#eated as p#isone#s of 9a# 9hen captu#ed-and
cannot invo"e the !unicipal la9 of the le$iti!ate $ove#n!ent the* have diso9ned. It is in such a situation that the
p#ocesses of the local cou#ts a#e not obse#ved and the #ebels cannot de!and the p#otection of the &ill of Ri$hts that the*
a#e dee!ed to have #enounced b* thei# defiance of the $ove#n!ent.
&ut as lon$ as that #eco$nition has not *et been e6tended, the le$iti!ate $oven!ent !ust t#eat the #ebels as its citi;ens,
sub:ect to its !unicipal la9 and entitled to all the #i$hts p#ovided the#eunde#, includin$ and especiall* those $ua#anteed
b* the %onstitution. P#incipal a!on$ these M in ou# count#* M a#e 9hose e!bodied in the &ill of Ri$hts, pa#ticula#l*
those $ua#anteein$ due p#ocess, p#ohibitin$ un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es, allo9in$ bail, and p#esu!in$ the
innocence of the accused. The le$iti!ate $ove#n!ent cannot e6cuse the supp#ession of these #i$hts b* the Le6i$enciesL
of an a#!ed conflict that at this ti!e #e!ains an inte!al !atte# $ove#ned e6clusivel* b* the la9s of the Republic of the
Philippines.
T#eat!ent of the #ebels as if the* 9e#e fo#ei$n invade#s M o# co!batants M is not :ustified in the p#esent situation as ou#
$ove#n!ent continues to p#osecute the! as violato#s of ou# o9n la9s. Ende# the doct#ine announced in >a#cia-Padilla,
ho9eve#, all pe#sons suspected as #ebels a#e b* such suspicion alone !ade sub:ect to su!!a#* a##est no diffe#ent f#o!
the unce#e!onious captu#e of an ene!* soldie# in the cou#se of a battle. The decision itself sa*s that the a##est Lneed
not follo9 the usual p#ocedu#e in the p#osecution of offensesL and Lthe absence of a :udicial 9a##ant is no i!pedi!entL as
lon$ as the pe#son a##ested is suspected b* the autho#ities of the Lcontinuin$ offenseL of subve#sion o# #ebellion o# othe#
#elated c#i!es. Inte#national la9 is thus substituted fo# !unicipal la9 in #e$ulatin$ the #elations of the Republic 9ith its
o9n citi;ens in a pu#el* do!estic !atte#.
s fo# the du#ation of the offenses, the decision contained the follo9in$ p#onounce!ent 9hich this %ou#t has also
adopted as its o9n5
. . . The c#i!es of insu##ection o# #ebellion, subve#sion, conspi#ac* o# p#oposal to co!!it such
c#i!es, and othe# c#i!es and offenses co!!itted in the fu#the#ance on the occasion the#eof, o#
incident the#eto, o# in connection the#e9ith unde# P#esidential P#ocla!ation No. 1-0+, a#e all in the
natu#e ofcontinuin# offenses 9hich set the! apa#t f#o! the co!!on offenses, aside f#ont thei#
essentiall* involvin$ a !assive conspi#ac* of nation9ide !anitude. 2?!phasis supplied.4
The be$innin$ of the Lcontinuin$ offenseL !a* be a#bit#a#il* fi6ed b* the autho#ities, usuall* b* si!pl* placin$ the suspect
Lunde# su#veillance,L to la* the basis fo# his eventual app#ehension. Once so placed, he !a* at an* ti!e be a##ested
9ithout 9a##ant on the specious p#ete6t that he is in the p#ocess of co!!ittin$ the Lcontinuin$ offense,L no !atte# that
9hat he !a* be actualll* doin$ at the ti!e is a pe#fectl* innocent act.
In the case of Du#al. the a##est 9as !ade 9hile he 9as en$a$ed in the passive and innocuous act of unde#$oin$ !edical
t#eat!ent. The fiction 9as indul$ed that he 9as even then, as he la* supine in his sic"bed, en$a$ed in the continuin$
offense of #ebellion a$ainst the State. In fu#the# :ustification, the %ou#t sa*s that the a##estin$ office#s acted on
Lconfidential info#!ationL that he 9as in the hospital, 9hich info#!ation L9as found to be t#ue.L This is supposed to have
validated the dete#!ination of the office#s that the#e 9as Lp#obable causeL that e6cused the absence of a 9a##ant.
M* o9n i!p#ession is that p#obable cause !ust be established p#ecisel* to Eustif% the issuance of a 9a##ant, not
todispense 9ith it7 !o#eove#, p#obable cause !ust be dete#!ined b* the :ud$e issuin$ the 9a##ant, not the a##estin$
office# 9ho sa*s it is not necessa#*.
In the case of ?spi#itu, the a##est 9as !ade 9hile he 9as actuall* sleepin#, and fo# alle$edl* seditious #e!a#"s !ade b*
hi! the da* befo#e. The %ou#t sa*s his case is not cove#ed b* the >a#cia-Padilla doct#ine but app#oves the a##est :ust the
sa!e because the #e!a#"s 9e#e supposed to continue thei# effects even to the follo9in$ da*. The offense 9as
conside#ed as havin$ been Eust co!!itted 2to !a"e it co!e unde# Rule 33(, Section +, of the Rules of %ou#t4 despite the
conside#able ti!e lapse.
It 9as 9o#se in the case of Na;a#eno, 9ho 9as also a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant, and no less than fourteen da*s afte# the
"illin$. In sustainin$ this act, the %ou#t sa*s that it 9as onl* on the da* of his a##est that he 9as identified as one of the
p#obable "ille#s, thus su$$estin$ that the validit* of a 9a##antless a##est is #ec"oned not f#o! the ti!e of the co!!ission
of an offense but f#o! the ti!e of the Identification of the suspect.
Section + of Rule 33( sa*s that a peace office# !a* a##est a pe#son 9ithout a 9a##ant if the latte# Lhas co!!itted, is
actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is atte!ptin$ to co!!it an offenseL o# 9hen an offense Lhas in fact :ust been co!!itted.L The
#eBui#e!ent of i!!ediac* is obvious f#o! the 9o#d L:ust,L 9hich, acco#din$ to Aebste#, !eans La ve#* sho#t ti!e a$o.L
The a##est !ust be !ade al!ost immediatel% or soon afte# these acts, not at an* ti!e afte# the suspicion of the a##estin$
office# be$ins, no !atte# ho9 lon$ a$o the offense 9as co!!itted.
I a! also uneas* ove# the follo9in$ obse#vations in the p#esent #esolution 9hich I hope 9ill not be the sta#t of anothe#
dan$e#ous doct#ine5
The %ou#t, it is t#ue, too" into account the ad!issions of the a##ested pe#sons of thei# !e!be#ship in
the %PP<NP, as 9ell as thei# o9ne#ship of the unlicensed fi#ea#!s, a!!unitions and docu!ents in
thei# possession. &ut a$ain, these ad!issions, as #evealed b* the #eco#ds, st#en$then the %ou#t=s
pe#ception that t#ul* the $#ounds upon 9!ch the a##estin$ office#s based thei# a##ests 9ithout
9a##ant, a#e suppo#ted b* p#obable cause, i.e., that the pe#sons a##ested 9e#e p#obabl* $uilt* of the
co!!ission of ce#tain offenses, in co!pliance 9ith Section +, Rule 33( of the Rules of %ou#t.
I can onl* #epeat !* o9n !is$ivin$s 9hen I dissented in the #ecent case of People vs. 6almstedt, >.R. No. ,33-', )une
3,, 3,,3, 9he#e I noted5 LThe conclusion that the#e 9as p#obable cause !a* have been influenced b* the subseBuent
discove#* that the accused 9as ca##*in$ a p#ohibited d#u$. This is supposed to :ustif* the soldie#=s suspicion. In othe#
9o#ds, it 9as the fact of ille$al possession that #et#oactivel* established the p#obable cause that validated the ille$al
sea#ch and sei;u#e. It 9as the f#uit of the poisonous t#ee that 9ashed clean the t#ee itself.L
I sub!it that the affi#!ation b* this %ou#t of the >a#cia-Padilla decision to :ustif* the ille$al a##ests !ade in the cases
befo#e us is a step bac" to that sha!eful past 9hen individual #i$hts 9e#e 9antonl* and s*ste!aticall* violated b* the
Ma#cos dictato#ship. It see!s so!e of us have sho#t !e!o#ies of that #ep#essive #e$i!e, but I fo# one a! not one to
fo#$et so soon. s the ulti!ate defende# of the %onstitution, this %ou#t should not $loss ove# the abuses of those 9ho,
out of !ista"en ;eal, 9ould violate individual libe#t* in the dubious na!e of national secu#it*. Ahateve# thei# ideolo$* and
even if it be hostile to ou#s, the petitione#s a#e entitled to the p#otection of the &ill of Ri$hts, no !o#e and no less than an*
othe# pe#son in this count#*. That is 9hat de!oc#ac* is all about.
FELICINO, J., concu##in$ and dissentin$5
I concu# in the #esult #eached b* the !a:o#it* in the Resolution disposin$ of the Motion fo# Reconside#ation.
t the sa!e ti!e, ho9eve#, I feel co!pelled to dissent f#o! ce#tain state!ents !ade b* the !a:o#it* p#incipall*
conce#nin$ the applicabilit* of the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine to the p#oble! of a##ests 9ithout 9a##ants. It see!s clea#
that these state!ents a#e #eall* o$iter dicta, since the* a#e Buite unnecessa#* fo# sustainin$ the actual #esults #eached in
the !a:o#it* Resolution. This 9as su!!a#il* pointed out in !* ve#* b#ief state!ent concu##in$ in the #esult #eached in the
o#i$inal Decision of the %ou#t dated , )ul* 3,,-. The subseBuent develop!ents in seve#al of the cases he#e
consolidated, 9hich a#e ca#efull* detailed in the !a:o#it* Resolution, !a"e this even clea#e#. Nonetheless, the !a:o#it*
Resolution has ta"en the ti!e and t#ouble e6p#essl* to #eite#ate the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine as applicable in #espect
of 9a##antless a##ests. lthou$h the above state!ents a#e o$iter, the* have been !ade and, I believe, need to be
add#essed to so!e e6tent and the inte#-#elation of the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine 9ith constitutional #i$hts e6plo#ed.
3. Ae sta#t at the be$innin$, that is, the constitutional $ua#antee a$ainst un#easonable sei;u#es of pe#sons. #ticle III
Section 1 of the %onstitution #eads5
Sec. 1. The #i$ht of the people to be secu#e in thei# pe#sons, houses, pape#s, and effects a$ainst
un#easonable sea#ches and sei;u#es of 9hateve# natu#e and fo# an* pu#pose shall be inviolable, and
no sea#ch 9a##ant o# 9a##ant of a##est shall issue e6cept upon p#obable cause to be dete#!ined
pe#sonall* b* the :ud$e afte# e6a!ination unde# oath o# affi#!ation of the co!plainant and the
9itnesses he !a* p#oduce, and pa#ticula#l* desc#ibin$ the place to be sea#ched and the pe#sons o#
thin$s to be sei;ed. 2?!phais supplied4
Ende# the above p#ovision, a##ests, i.e., the const#aint and sei;u#e of the pe#sons of individual !e!be#s of societ*, !ust,
as a $ene#al #ule, be p#eceded b* the secu#in$ of a 9a##ant of a##est, the #endition of 9hich co!plies 9ith the
constitutional p#ocedu#e specified in #ticle III Section 1. ##ests !ade 9ithout a 9a##ant issued b* a :ud$e afte#
co!pl*in$ 9ith the constitutional p#ocedu#e, a#e prima facie un#easonable sei;u#es of pe#sons 9ithin the !eanin$ of
#ticle III Section 1.
1. The#e a#e, ho9eve#, ce#tain 9ell-#eco$ni;ed e6ceptions to the no#! that 9a##antless a##ests a#e un#easonable
sei;u#es of pe#sons. Those e6ceptions a#e, in ou# da*, essentiall* found in Section +2a4 and 2b4 of Rule 33( of the Rules
of %ou#t. Section +2a4 and 2b4 !a#" out the situations 9he#e an office# of the la9, o# a p#ivate pe#son fo# that !atte#, !a*
la9full* a##est a pe#son 9ithout p#eviousl* secu#in$ a 9a##ant of a##est. The full te6t of Section +, Rule 33( follo9s5
Sec. +. Arrest without warrant& when lawful. M peace office# o# a p#ivate pe#son !a*, 9ithout a
9a##ant, a##est a pe#son5
2a4 Ahen, in his p#esence, the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted, is actuall* co!!ittin$, o# is
atte!ptin$ to co!!it an offense7
2b4 Ahen an offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted, and he has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts
indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted it7 and
2c4 Ahen the pe#son to be a##ested is a p#isone# 9ho has escaped f#o! a penal establish!ent o#
place 9he#e he is se#vin$ final :ud$!ent o# te!po#a#il* confined 9hile his case is pendin$, o# has
escaped 9hile bein$ t#ansfe##ed f#o! one confine!ent to anothe#.
In cases fallin$ unde# pa#a$#aphs 2a4 and 2b4 he#eof, the pe#son a##ested 9ithout a 9a##ant shall be
fo#th9ith delive#ed to the nea#est police station o# :ail, and he shall be p#oceeded a$ainst in
acco#dance 9ith Rule 331, Section '.
(. &efo#e e6a!inin$ the scope and i!plications of Section +2a4 and 2b4, it is i!po#tant to #ecall that :udicial inte#p#etation
and application of Section +2a4 and 2b4 !ust ta"e those p#ovision fo# 9hat the* a#e5 the* a#ee"ceptions to a vital
constitutional no#! ensh#ined in the &ill of Ri$hts. ?6ceptions to such a no#! !ust be st#ictl* const#ued so as not to
#ende# futile and !eanin$less the constitutional #ule #eBui#in$ 9a##ants of a##ests befo#e the pe#sons of individuals !a*
be la9full* const#ained and sei;ed. The o#dina#* #ule $ene#all* applicable to statuto#* p#ovisions is that e6ceptions to
such p#ovisions !ust not be st#etched be*ond 9hat the lan$ua$e in 9hich the* a#e cast fai#l* 9a##ants, and all doubts
should be #esolved in favo# of the $ene#al p#ovision, #athe# than the e6ception. 1 This #ule !ust appl* 9ith special
e6i$enc* and co$enc* 9he#e 9e deal, not 9ith an o#dina#* statuto#* p#ovision, but 9ith a constitutional
$ua#antee. 2 ?6ceptions to such a $ua#antee !ust be #ead 9ith especial ca#e and sensitivit* and "ept 9ithin the li!its of
thei# lan$ua$e so to "eep vital and si$nificant the $ene#al constitutional no#!s 9a##antless a##ests. In Alvare) vs. Court
of 8irst 2nstance, & this %ou#t, st#essin$ that5
II. s the p#otection of the citi;en and the !aintenance of his constitutional #i$hts is one of the
hi$hest duties and p#ivile$es of the cou#t. these constitutional $ua#anties should be $iven a libe#al
const#uction o# a strict construction in favor of the individual& to prevent stealth% encroachment upon&
or #radual depreciation of& the ri#hts secured $% them 2State vs. %uste# %ount*, 3,. Pac., (/17 State
vs. McDaniel, 1(3 Pac., ,/+7 1(' Pac., ('(4. Since the p#oceedin$ is a d#astic one, it is the $ene#al
#ule that statutes autho#i;in$ sea#ches and sei;u#es o# sea#ch 9a##ants !ust be st#ictl* const#ued
2Rose vs. St. %lai#, 1. @ed. C1dD, 3.,7 8eona#d vs. E.S., / @ed. C1dD, (+(7 Pe##* vs. E.S., 30 @ed.
C1dD, ..7 %ofe# vs. State, 33. So., /3(. 2e!phasis supplied4
held that5
. . . ll ille$al sea#ches and sei;u#es a#e un#easonable 9hith la9ful ones a#e #easonable. 4
In People vs. Dur#os, 5 this %ou#t #eite#ated the above #ule in the follo9in$ te#!s5
The#e is no such pe#sonal "no9led$e in this case. Ahateve# "no9led$e 9as possessed b* the
a##estin$ office#s, it ca!e in its enti#et* f#o! the info#!ation fu#nished b* %esa# Masa!lo". The
location of the fi#ea#! 9as $iven b* the appellant=s 9ife.
t the ti!e of the appellant=s a##est, he 9as not in actual possession of an* fi#ea#! o# subve#sive
docu!ent. Neithe# 9as he co!!it tin$ an* act 9hich could be desc#ibed as subve#sive. 'e was& in
fact plowin# his field at the time of the arrest.
The #i$ht of a pe#son to be secu#e a$ainst an* un#easonable sei;u#e of his bod* and an* dep#ivation
of his libe#t* is a !ost basic and funda!ental one. The statute o# #ule 9hich allo9s e6ceptions the
#eBui#e!ent of 9a##ants of a##est is st#ictl* const#ued. n* e6ception !ust clea#l* fall 9ithin the
situations 9hen secu#in$ a 9a##ant 9ould be absu#d o# is !anifestl* unnecessa#* as p#ovided b* the
Rule. Ce cannot li$erall% construe the rule on arrests without warrant or e"tend its application
$e%ond the cases specificall% provided $% law. To do so would infrin#e upon personal li$ert% and set
$ac5 a $asic ri#ht so often vilated and so deservin# of full protection. ' 2e!phasis supplied4
0. Section +2a4 #elates to situations 9he#e a c#i!e is co!!itted o# atte!pted to be co!!itted in the p#esence of the
a##estin$ office#. The fact of the occu##ence of the offense, o# of the atte!pt to co!!it an offense, in the p#esence of the
a##estin$ office#, !a* be seen to be the substitute, unde# the ci#cu!stances, fo# the secu#in$ of a 9a##ant of a##est. In
such situation, the#e is an obvious need fo# i!!ediate, even instantaneous, action on the pa#t of the a##estin$ office# to
supp#ess the b#each of public o#de# and to p#event fu#the# b#eaches then and the#e. Section +2a4 !a*, !o#eove#, be seen
to #efe# to overt acts constitutive of a crime ta5in# place in the presence of the arrestin# officer. The te#! Lp#esenceL in
this connection is p#ope#l* and #est#ictivel* const#ued to #elate to acts ta"in$ place 9ithin the optical o# pe#haps audito#*
pe#ception of the a##estin$ office#. % If no ove#t, #eco$ni;abl* c#i!inal, acts occu# 9hich a#e pe#ceptible th#ou$h the
senses of the a##estin$ office#, such office# could not, of cou#se, beco!e a9a#e at all that a c#i!e is bein$ co!!itted o#
atte!pted to be co!!itted in his p#esence. 8 It is ele!enta#* that pu#el* !ental o# ps*cholo$ical pheno!ena, not
e6te#nali;ed in ove#t ph*sical acts of a hu!an pe#son, cannot constitute a c#i!e in ou# le$al s*ste!. @o# a c#i!e to e6ist
in ou# le$al la9, it is not enou$h thatmens rea be sho9n7 the#e !ust also be an actus reus. If no such ove#t acts a#e
actuall* ta"in$ place in the p#esence o# 9ithin the senso# pe#ception of the a##estin$ office#, the#e 9ould, in p#inciple, be
a!ple ti!e to $o to a !a$ist#ate and as" fo# a 9a##ant of a##est. The#e 9ould, in othe# 9o#ds, not be that i!pe#ious
necessit* fo# instant action to p#event an atte!pted c#i!e, to #ep#ess the c#i!e bein$ co!!itted, o# to captu#e the doe#
of the pe#ceive c#i!inal act, the necessit* 9hich se#ves as the :ustification in la9 of 9a##antless a##ests unde# Section
+2a4.
+. Tu#nin$ to Section + 2b4, t9o 214 ele!ents !ust be coincide befo#e a 9a##antless a##est !a* be sustained unde# this
subsection5 34 the offense !ust have 4Eust $een committed4 9hen the a##estin$ office# a##ived in the scene7 and 14 the
office# !ust have 4personal 5nowled#e4 of facts indicatin$ tha the pe#son to be a##ested has co!!itted the offense. In
so!e9hat diffe#ent te#!s, the fi#st #eBui#e!ent i!po#ts that th effects o# corpus of the offense 9hich has :ust been
co!!itted a#e still visible5 e.$. a pe#son sp#a9led on the $#ound, dead of $unshot 9ound7 o# a pe#son sta$$e#in$ a#ound
bleedin$ p#ofusel* f#o! stab 9ounds. The a##estin$ office# !a* not ha seen the actual shootin$ o# stabbin$ of the victi!,
and the#eto the offense can not be said to have been co!!itted Lin ChisD p#esence.L The #eBui#e!ent of 4personal
5nowled#e4 on the pa#t of the a##estin$ office# is a #eBui#e!ent that such "no9led$e !ust have been obtained directl%
from sense perception the arrestin# officer. That #eBui#e!ent 9ould e6clude info#!tion conve*ed b* anothe# pe#son, no
!atte# 9hat his #eputation fo#, t#uth and #eliabilit* !i$ht be. 9Thus, 9he#e the a##estin$ office# co!es upon a pe#son dead
on the st#eet and sees a pe#son #unnin$ a9a* 9ith a "nife f#o! 9he#e the victi! is sp#a9led the $#ound, he has personal
5nowled#e of facts 9hich #ende# it hi$hl* p#obable that the pe#son fleein$ 9as the doe# of the c#i!inal deed. The
a##estin$ office# !ust, in othe# 9o#ds, pe#ceive th#ou$h his o9n senses so!e act 9hich di#ectl* connects the pe#son to
be a##ested 9ith the visible effects o# corpus of a c#i!e 9hich has L:ust been co!!itted.L
/. The use of the 9o#ds Lhas in fact :ust been co!!ittedL unde#sco#es the #eBui#e!ent that the ti!e inte#val bet9een the
actual co!!ission of the c#i!e and the a##ival of the a##estin$ office# !ust be b#ief indeed. In the fi#st place, the 9o#d
L:ustL 9as fai#l* #ecentl* inse#ted in Section +2b4 b* the 3,.+ Rules on %#i!inal P#ocedu#es, no doubt in o#de# to
unde#sco#e the point he#e bein$ !ade. In the second place, a latitudina#ian vie9 of the ph#ase Lhas in fact Eust $een
committedL 9ould obviousl* #ende# pointless the #eBui#e!ent in Section +2a4 that the c#i!e !ust have been co!!itted
LFinG the presenceL of the a##estin$ office#. In >.R. No. ./((1, the 9a##antless a##est of lf#edo Na;a#eno 30-da*s afte#
the occu##ence of the "illin$ 9ith 9hich he 9as cha#$ed alon$ 9ith othe# pe#sons, cannot b* an* standa#d be :ustified
unde# Section +2b4. In >.R. No. .3+/', Du#al 9as a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant 9hile bein$ t#eated in a hospital the da* afte#
the shootin$ of the police!en in 9hich he 9as suspected to have been a pa#ticipant. Ahile 3-da* !a* be substantiall*
diffe#ent f#o! 30-da*s, still it !ust be pointed out that at the ti!e Du#al 9as a##ested in the hospital, the "illin$ of the t9o
214 police!en in %aloocan %it* fa# a9a* f#o! the St. $nes Hospital in Jue;on %it* could not #easonabl* be said to have
been Eust committed. The#e 9as no sho9in$, no# did the %ou#t #eBui#e it, that the a##estin$ office#s had been in Lhot
pu#suitL of Du#al be$innin$ at the scene of the "illin$ and endin$ the ne6t da* in the hospital.
'. It is 9o#th notin$ that the #eBuisite of Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL on the pa#t of the a##estin$ office# 9ho is dete#!inin$
Lp#obable causeL #i$ht at the scene of the c#i!e, is in a sense !o#e e6actin$ than the standa#d i!posed b* the
%onstitution upon the :ud$e 9ho, in the seclusion of his cha!be#s, asce#tains Lp#obable causeL b* e6a!inin$ the
evidence sub!itted befo#e hi!. The a##estin$ office# !ust himself have Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL7 the !a$ist#ate !a* #el*
upon the pe#sonal "no9led$e of the 9itnesses e6a!ined b* o# fo# hi! in issuin$ a 9a##ant of a##est. In the p#esent
Resolution, the !a:o#it* be$ins 9ith notin$ the #eBui#e!ent of Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL in Section +2b4, but 9inds up in the
ne6t pa$e 9ith a ve#* diluted standa#d of L#easonable belief and L$ood faithL on the pa#t of the a##estin$ office#s. The
st#icte# standa#d is p#ope#l* applicable to the office#s sei;in$ a pe#son 9ithout a 9a##ant of a##est, for the% are actin# in
dero#ation of a constitutional ri#ht. That the pe#son unla9full* a##ested 9ithout a 9a##ant !a* late# tu#n out to be $uilt* of
the offense he 9as suspected of in the fi#st place is, cou#se, Buite beside the point. ?ven a pe#son sec#etl* $uilt* so!e
ea#lie# c#i!e is constitutionall* entitled to be secu#e f#o! 9a##antless a##est, unless he has in fact co!!itted ph%sicall%
o$serva$le criminal acts in the presenceof the a##estin$ office# o# had:ust co!!itted such acts 9hen the a##estin$ office#
bu#st upon the scene.
.. ?6a!ination of the utili;ation in the !a:otit* Resolution of the doct#ine of Lcontinuin$ c#i!es,L sho9s that doct#ine is
he#e bein$ used as a substitute fo# the #eBui#e!ent unde# Section +2a4 that the offense Lhas in fact Eust $een presence of
the a##estin$ office# a##ived, but #athe# because the pe#son to be a##ested is suspected of havin$ co!!itted a c#i!e in
the future. The pe#tinent po#tion of the !a:o#it* Resolution #eads5
. . . !ural did not cease to $e& or $ecause less of a su$versive& 8OR P7RPOS9 O8 ARR9ST& simpl%
$ecause he was& at the time of arrest& confined in the St. A#nes 'ospital. . . . That Du#al had shot
the t9o 214 police!en in %aloocan %it* as pa#t of his !ission as a Lspa##o9L 2NP !e!be#4 did not
end the#e and then. Du#al, $iven anothe# oppo#tunit*, 9ould have shot o# 9ould shoot othe#
police!en an*9he#e as a$ents o# #ep#esentatives of o#$ani;ed $ove#n!ent. 2t is in this sense that
su$version li5e re$elion @or insurrectionA is perceived here as a continuin# offense. Enli"e othe# so-
called Lco!!onL offenses, i.e., adulte#*, !u#de#, a#son, etc., 9hich $ene#all* end upon thei#
co!!ission,su$version and re$ellion are anchored on an ideolo#ical $ase which compels the
repetition of the same acts of la9lessness and violence until the overridin# o$Eectives of
overthrowin# or#ani)ed #overnment is attained. 2?!phasis supplied4
,. I #espectfull* sub!it that an e6a!ination of the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine as actuall* found in ou# case la9 offe#s no
#easonable basis fo# such use of the dot#ine. Mo#e specificall*, that doct#ine, in !* sub!ission, does notdispence 9ith
the #eBui#e!ent that ove#t acts #eco$ni;abl* c#i!inal in cha#acte# !ust ta"e place in the p#esence of the a##estin$ office#,
o# !ust have :ust been co!!itted 9hen the a##estin$ office# a##ived, if the 9a##antless a##est it to be la9ful. The
Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine in ou# case la9 2$efore #endition of Garcia-Padilla vs. 9nrile 10does not sustain 9a##antless
a##ests of pe#son to be a##ested is, as it 9e#e, !e#el* #estin$ in bet9een specific la9less and co!!it the !o!ent he $ets
an oppo#tunit* to do so.
Ou# case la9 sho9s that the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine has been used basicall* in #elation to t9o 214 p#oble!s5 the fi#st
p#oble! is that of dete#!ination of 9hethe# o# not a pa#ticula# offense 9as co!!itted 9ithin the te##ito#ial :u#isdiction of
the t#ial cou#t7 the second p#oble! is that of dete#!inin$ 9hethe# a sin$le c#i!e o# !ultiple c#i!es 9e#e co!!itted 9he#e
the defense of double :eopa#d* is #aised.
3-. In #espect of the fi#st p#oble!, the $ist of ou# case la9 is that 9he#e so!e of the in$#edients o# ele!ents of an
offense ta"en place 9ithin the te##ito#ial :u#isdiction of one cou#t and so!e othe# in$#edients o# ele!ents of the sa!e
offense occu# in the te##ito#* of anothe# cou#t, 2e.$., estafa o# !alve#sation4 eithe# one of the t9o cou#ts has :u#isdiction to
t#* the offense. Ahe#e all of the essential ele!ents of a c#i!e ta"e place 9ithin the te##ito#* of one cou#t but Lb* #eason of
he ve#* natu#e of the offense co!!ittedL the violation of the la9 is dee!ed to be Lcontinuin$,L then the cou#t 9ithin
9hose te##ito#ial :u#isdiction the offense continues to be co!!itted, has :u#isdiction to t#* a pe#son cha#$ed 9ith such
offense. In the latte# case, the offense is dee!ed to be continuin$ because so!e o# all of the ele!ents constitutin$ the
offense occu##ed 9ithin :u#isdiction of the second cou#t 2e.$., "idnappin$ and ille$al detention7 libel7 evasion of se#vice of
sentence4. The c#i!inal acts a#e #e$a#ded as #epeated o# as continuin$ 9ithin the p#ovince o# cit* 9he#e the defendant
9as found and a##ested. 11 %lea#l*, ove#t acts of the accussed constitutin$ ele!ents of the c#i!e cha#$ed !ust be
sho9n to have been co!!itted 9ithin the te##ito#ial :u#isdiction of the cou#t 9he#e he is cha#$ed.
33. Tu#nin$ to the second t*pe of p#oble!, the Buestion is no#!all* p#esented in te#!s of 9hethe# one c#i!e o# !ultiple
c#i!es 9e#e co!!itted b* the accused. Ahe#e the se#ies of acts actuall* alle$ed and p#oven to have been co!!itted b*
the accused constituted onl* one and the sa!e c#i!e, the defense of double :eopa#d* beco!es available 9he#e a
second info#!ation is filed cove#in$ acts late# in the se#ies. Epon the othe# hand, 9he#e the acts of the accused
constituted disc#ete, !ultiple offenses, each act co!p#isin$ a distinct and sepa#ate offense, the double :eopa#d* defense
is non-available. 12 The point 9o#th st#essin$ is that in passin$ upon the issue #elatin$ to the unit* o# !ultiplicit* of
offense co!!itted, the ove#t acts of the accused constitutive eithe# of the sin$le offense o# of the plu#al offenses, !ust
be sho9n.
31. M* final sub!ission, is that, the doct#ine of Lcontinuin$ c#i!es,L 9hich has its o9n le$iti!ate function to se#ve in ou#
c#i!inal la9 :u#isp#udence, cannot be invo"ed fo# 9ea"enin$ and dissolvin$ the constitutional $ua#antee a$ainst
9a##antless a##est. Ahe#e no ove#t acts co!p#isin$ all o# so!e of the ele!ents of the offense cha#$ed a#e sho9n to have
been co!!itted b* the pe#son a##ested 9ithout 9a##ant, the Lcontinuin$ c#i!eL doct#ine should not be used to d#ess up
the p#etense that a c#i!e, be$un o# co!!itted else9he#e, continued to be co!!itted b* the pe#son a##ested in the
p#esence of the a##estin$ office#. The capacit* fo# !ischief of such a utili;ation of the Lcontinuin$ c#i!esL doct#ine, is
infinitel* inc#eased 9he#e the c#i!e cha#$ed does not consist of una!bi$uous c#i!inal acts 9ith a definite be$innin$ and
end in ti!e and space 2such as the "illin$ o# 9oundin$ of a pe#son o# "idnappin$ and ille$al dentention o# a#son4 but
#athe# of such p#oble!atic offenses as !e!be#ship in o# affiliation 9ith o# beco!in$ a !e!be# of, a subve#sive
association o# o#$ani;ation. @o# in such cases, the ove#t constitutive acts !a* be !o#all* neut#al in the!selves, and the
unla9fulness of the acts a function of the ai!s o# ob:ectives of the o#$ani;ation involved. Note, fo# instance, the follo9in$
acts 9hich constitute prima facie evidence of L!e!be#ship in an* subve#sive association5L 1&
a4 llo9in$ hi!self to be listed as a !e!be# in an* boo" o# an* of the lists, #eco#ds,
co##espondence, o# an* othe# docu!ent of the o#$ani;ation7
b4 Sub:ectin$ hi!self to the discipline of such association o# o#$ani;ation in an* fo#! 9hatsoeve#7
c4 >ivin$ financial cont#ibution to such association o# o#$ani;ation in dues, assess!ents, loans o# in
an* othe# fo#!s7
666 666 666
f4 %onfe##in$ 9ith office#s o# othe# !e!be#s of such association o# o#$ani;ation in fu#the#ance of an*
plan o# ente#p#ise the#eof7
666 666 666
h4 P#epa#in$ docu!ents, pa!phlets, leaflets, boo"s, o# an* othe# t*pe of publication to p#o!ote the
ob:ectives and pu#poses of such association o# o#$ani;ation7
666 666 666
"4 Pa#ticipatin$ in an* 9as in the activities, plannin$ action, ob:ectives, o# pu#poses of such
association o# o#$ani;ation7
666 666 666
It !a* 9ell be, as the !a:o#it* i!plies, that the constitutional #ule a$ainst 9a##antless a##ests and sei;u#es !a"es the la9
enfo#ce!ent 9o#" of police a$encies !o#e difficult to ca##* out. It is not ou# %ou#t=s function, ho9eve#, and the &ill of
Ri$hts 9as not desi$ned, to !a"e life eas* fo# police fo#ces but #athe# to p#otect the libe#ties of p#ivate individuals. Ou#
police fo#ces !ust si!pl* lea#n to live 9ith the #eBui#e!ents of the &ill of Ri$hts, to enfo#ce the la9 b* !odalities 9hich
the!selves co!pl* 9ith the funda!ental la9. Othe#9ise the* a#e ve#* li"el* to dest#o*, 9hethe# th#ou$h shee# ineptness
o# e6cess of ;eal, the ve#* f#eedo!s 9hich !a"e ou# polit* 9o#th p#otectin$ and savin$.
REGL!O, J.< Sepa#ate Opinion5
Ahile I have he#etofo#e concu##ed in the ponencia in the above-entitled cases and I #eite#ate such concu##ence, I 9ish to
unbu#den !*self of so!e #ese#vations on the #ationale adopted in >.R. No. ./((1.
It is posited in this #esolution that L2a4lthou$h the "illin$ of &un*e II occu##ed on 30 Dece!be# 3,.., 9hile Na;a#eno=s
a##est 9ithout 9a##ant 9as !ade onl* on 1. Dece!be# 3,.., o# 30 da*s late#, the a##est falls unde# Section +2b4 of Rule
33(, since it 9as onl* on 1. Dece!be# 3,.. that the police autho#ities ca!e to "no9 that Na;a#eno 9as p#obabl* one of
those $uilt* in the "illin$ of &un*e II.L
I a! af#aid that the#e has been a !isapplication of Section +2b4 of Rule 33( 9hich, 9hile autho#i;in$ a peace office# o# a
p#ivate pe#son to effect a 9a##antless a##est, specificall* conditions that $#ant of autho#it* upon the situation L294hen an
offense has in fact :ust been co!!itted, and he has pe#sonal "no9led$e of facts indicatin$ that the pe#son to be a##ested
has co!!itted it.L
It is si$nificant that 9hen the co##espondin$ p#ovisions of the 3,/0 Rules of %ou#t 9e#e a!ended in the 3,.+ Rules of
%#i!inal P#ocedu#e, the pa#ticula# #evision of pa#a$#aph 2b4 of the afo#esaid section consisted in i!posin$ the
#eBui#e!ents that the pe#son !a"in$ the a##est has personal 5nowled#e of the facts indicatin$ that the a##estee is
#esponsible fo# an offense 9hich has Eust $een co!!itted.
No9, acco#din$ to the #esolution, Lthe #eco#ds sho9 that in the !o#nin$ of 30 Dece!be# 3,.., Ro!ulo &un*e II 9as
"illed b* a $#oup of !en in laban$, Muntinlupa, Met#o Manila7 that at about + o=cloc" in the !o#nin$ of 1. Dece!be#
3,.., Ra!il Re$ala, one of the suspects in the said "illin$, 9as a##ested and he pointed to Na#ciso Na;a#eno as one of
his co!panions du#in$ the "illin$ of &un*e II7 that at '51- of the sa!e !o#nin$ 21. Dece!be# 3,..4, the police a$ents
a##ested Na;a#eno, 9ithout 9a##ant, fo# investi$ation.L
Since, clea#l*, the a##estin$ police a$ents !e#el* acted upon the info#!ation i!pa#ted b* one of the suspects, Ra!il
Re$ala, the #esolution has e!asculated the #eBui#e!ent in Section +2b4 that the pe#son !a"in$ the a##est !ust have had
pe#sonal "no9led$e of factual indications #e$a#din$ the co!plicit* o# liabilit* of the a##estee fo# the c#i!e. Het, that
a!end!ent #eBui#in$ such pe#sonal "no9led$e !ust have been desi$ned to obviate the p#actice in the past of
9a##antless a##ests bein$ effected on the basis of o# supposed #eliance upon info#!ation obtained f#o! thi#d pe#sons
9ho !e#el* p#ofessed such "no9led$e o#, 9o#se, concocted such #epo#ts fo# va#iant #easons not necessa#il* founded on
t#uth.
@u#the#, and obviousl* as an added dete##ent to the possibilit* that such a##est 9ithout a 9a##ant !a* #esult f#o!
i!putations based on dubious !otives, it is no9 #eBui#ed that the c#i!e !ust have :ust been co!!itted. The #ecenc*
conte!plated he#e, in #elation to the !a"in$ of the 9a##antless a##est, is the ti!e 9hen the c#i!e 9as in fact co!!itted,
and not the ti!e 9hen the c#i!e 9as in fact co!!itted, and not the ti!e 9hen the pe#son !a"in$ the a##est lea#ned o#
9as info#!ed of such co!!ission. Othe#9ise, at the #is" of #eso#tin$ to reductio ad a$surdum, such 9a##antless a##ests
could be validl* !ade even fo# a c#i!e co!!itted, sa*, !o#e than a *ea# a$o but of 9hich the a##estin$ office# #eceived
info#!ation onl* toda*.
The b#evit* in the inte#val of ti!e bet9een the co!!ission of the c#i!e and the a##est, as no9 #eBui#ed b* Section +2b4,
!ust have been dictated b* the conside#ation, a!on$ othe#s, that b* #eason of such #ecenc* of the c#i!inal occu##ence,
the p#obabilit* of the a##estin$ office# acBui#in$ pe#sonal and<o# #eliable "no9led$e of such fact and the identit* of the
offende# is necessa#il* enhanced, if not assu#ed. The lon$e# the inte#val, the !o#e attenuated a#e the chances of his
obtainin$ such ve#ifiable "no9led$e. In the case unde# conside#ation, the obtention of info#!ation of a c#i!e co!!itted
fou#teen 2304 da*s ea#lie# necessa#il* unde#!ines the capacit* of the a##estin$ office# to asce#tain the #eliabilit* of the
info#!ation he is actin$ upon and to acBui#e pe#sonal "no9led$e the#eof afte# such ve#ification.
It !a* be $#anted, as an ad hoc p#oposition, that the a##est of Na;a#eno 9as based on p#obable cause and it 9as not
9hi!sical, at least, in this instance. It is co##ect to sa* that p#evailin$ conditions affectin$ national secu#it* and stabilit*
!ust also be ta"en into account. Ho9eve#, fo# the #easons above elucidated, I ta"e e6ception to the conclusion that the
conditions in Section +2b4 of Rule 33( had been co!plied 9ith in this case. It is t#ue that the co##espondin$ info#!ation
9as filed a$ainst Na;a#eno sho#tl* afte# his a##est but that, p#ecisel*, is anothe# cause fo# cont#ove#s*. Definitel*, if the
#ules on a##est a#e sc#upulousl* obse#ved, the#e 9ould be no need fo# the usual invocation of Ila$an as a cu#ative bal!
fo# un9a##anted incu#sions into civil libe#ties.
SRMIENTO, J.< dissentin$5
I #eite#ate !* dissent. I sub!it that in spite of its Lcla#ificato#*L #esolution, 1 the !a:o#it* has not sho9n 9h* the a##ests in
Buestion should afte# all be sustained.
cco#din$ to the !a:o#it*, Rolando Du#al 2>.R. No. .3+//'4 9as validl* a##ested 9ithout a 9a##ant and that his a##est
9as sufficient co!pliance 9ith the p#ovisions of Section +, pa#a$#aph 2b4, Rule 33(, of the Rules of %ou#t. cco#din$ to
the !a:o#it*, he, Du#al, 9as afte# all co!!ittin$ an offense 2subve#sion bein$ supposedl* a continuin$ offense4 and that
the !ilita#* did have pe#sonal "no9led$e that he had co!!itted it. LPe#sonal "no9led$e,L acco#din$ to the !a:o#it*, is
supposedl* no !o#e than Lactual belief o# #easonable $#ounds . . . of suspicion,L and suspicion is supposedl*
#easonable5
. . . 9hen, in the absence of actual belief of the a##estin$ office#s, the suspicion that the pe#son to be
a##ested is p#obabl* $uilt* of co!!ittin$ the offense, is based on actual facts, i.e., suppo#ted b*
ci#cu!stances sufficientl* st#on$ in the!selves to c#eate the p#obable cause of $uilt* of the pe#son
to be a##ested. #easonable suspicion the#efo#e !ust be founded on p#obable cause, coupled 9ith
$ood faith on the pa#t of the peace office#s !a"in$ the a##est. 2
s I said, I dissent.
@i#st, and as I held, subve#sion, as an offense punished b* ?6ecutive O#de# No. 3/', as a!ended b* ?6ecutive O#de#
No. 1'/, in #elation to Republic ct No. 3'--, & is !ade up of Love#t acts.L 4 In People vs. 8errer 5 this %ou#t defined
Love#t actsL as follo9s5
. . . Indeed, 9e#e the nti-Subve#sion ct a bill of attainde#, it 9ould be totall* unnecessa#* to cha#$e
%o!!unists in cou#t, as the la9 alone, 9ithout !o#e 9ould suffice to secu#e thei# punish!ent. &ut
the undeniable fact is that thei# $uilt still has to be :udiciall* established. The >ove#n!ent has *et to
p#ove at the t#ial that the accused :oined the Pa#t* "no9in$l*, 9illfull* and b* ove#t acts, and that
the* :oined the Pa#t*, "no9in$ its subve#sive cha#acte# and 9ith specific intent to fu#the# its basic
ob:ective,i.e., to ove#th#o9 the e6istin$ $ove#n!ent b* fo#ce, deceit, and othe# ille$al !eans and
place the count#* unde# the cont#ol and do!ination of a fo#ei$n po9e#.
s @e##e# held, that above Love#t actsL constitute the essence of Lsubve#sion,L and as @e##e# has ta"en pains to e6plain,
the la9 #eBui#es !o#e than !e#e !e!be#ship in a subve#sive o#$ani;ation to !a"e the accused liable. I #espectfull*
sub!it that fo# pu#poses of a##est 9ithout a 9a##ant, that above Love#t actsL should be visible to the e*es of the police
office#s 2if that is possible4, othe#9ise the accused can not be said to be co!!ittin$ an* offense 9ithin the conte!plation
of the Rules of %ou#t, to :ustif* police action, and othe#9ise, 9e 9ould have !ade Lsubve#sionL to !ean !e#e
L!e!be#shipL 9hen, as @e##e# tells us, subve#sion !eans !o#e that !e#e !e!be#ship.
I find st#ained that !a:o#it*=s inte#p#etation of Lpe#sonal "no9led$e,L as the !a:o#it* 9ould inte#p#et it, as no !o#e than
Lactual belief o# #easonable suspicion,L that is, Lsuspicion . . . based on actual facts . . . CandD founded on p#obable
cause, coupled with #ood faith . . . L ' I sub!it that pe#sonal "no9led$e !eans e6actl* 9hat it sa*s M that the peace
office# is a9a#e that the accused has co!!itted an offense, in this case, !e!be#ship in a subve#sive o#$ani;ation 9ith
intent to fu#the# the ob:ectives the#eof. It is to be noted that p#io# to thei# a!end!ent, the Rules 2then Section /4 spo"e of
si!ple L#easonable $#oundL M 9hich 9ould have a#$uabl* enco!passed Lactual belief o# suspicion . . . coupled 9ith
$ood faithL #efe##ed to b* the !a:o#it*. Section +2b4 as amended, ho9eve#, spea"s of Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL7 I #espectfull*
sub!it that to $ive to Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL the sa!e !eanin$ as L#easonable $#oundL is to !a"e the a!end!ent as
useless e6e#cise.
Ahat, fu#the#!o#e, 9e have he#e 9as a !e#e Lconfidential info#!ationL that a Lspa##o9 !anL had been 9ounded and
9as #ecupe#atin$ in the hospital, and that that pe#son 9as Rolando Du#al. %lea#l*, 9hat 9e have is second-hand, indeed,
hea#sa*, info#!ation, and needless to sa*, not pe#sonal "no9led$e.
I 9ould li"e to point out that in the case of People vs. Dur#os % this %ou#t #e:ected a si!ila# a##est because of lac" of
pe#sonal "no9led$e, and, as the %ou#t held, LC9Dhateve# "no9led$e 9as possessed b* the a##estin$ office#s ca!e in its
enti#et* f#o! the info#!ation fu#nished b* Canothe#D . . .L 8 I do not see ho9 Ae can act diffe#entl* he#e.
I do not find the !a:o#it*=s #eliance on the case of 7nited States vs. Santos 9 to be 9ell-ta"en. Santos involved a
p#osecution fo# coe#cion 2a$ainst a peace office# fo# affectin$ an a##est 9ithout a 9a##ant4. Santos, ho9eve#, did in fact
affi#! the ille$alit* of the a##est but absolved the peace office# on $#ounds of $ood faith. Santos did not sa* that so lon$
as he, the peace office#, 9as actin$ in $ood faith, as the !a:o#it* he#e sa*s that the !ilita#* 9as actin$ in $ood faith, the
a##est is valid. Juite to the cont#a#*, Santos su$$ested that not9ithstandin$ $ood faith on the pa#t of the police, the a##est
is neve#theless sub:ect to Buestion.
s fa# as the info#!ation leadin$ to the a##est of Du#al is conce#ned, the !a:o#it* 9ould Buite evidentl* s9allo9 the
ve#sion of the !ilita#* as if in the fi#st place, the#e t#ul* 9as an info#!ation, and that it 9as #eliable, and that Lit 9as found
to be t#ue7L 10 and as if, in the second place, the hospital autho#ities 2the alle$ed info#!ants4 could have le$all* tipped
the !ilita#* unde# e6istin$ la9s. Ae have, it should be noted, p#eviousl* #e:ected such a species of info#!ation because
of the lac" of Lco!pulsion fo# Cthe info#!antD to state t#uthfull* his cha#$es unde# pain of c#i!inal p#osecution.L 11 He#e, it
is 9o#se, because 9e do not even "no9 who that info#!ant 9as.
The !a:o#it* is appa#entl* una9a#e that unde# ?6ecutive O#de# No. 131, a!endin$ P#esidential Dec#ee No. 3/,, hospital
establish!ents a#e #eBui#ed to #epo#t cases of acts of violence to L$ove#n!ent health autho#itiesL M not to the !ilita#*.
I a! conce#ned that if the !ilita#* 9e#e t#ul* a#!ed 9ith #eliable info#!ation and if it did have pe#sonal "no9led$e to
believe that Du#al had co!!itted an offense, the#e 9as no #eason fo# the !ilita#* to i$no#e the cou#ts, to 9hich the
%onstitution afte# all, $ives the autho#it* to issue 9a##ants. s People vs. Dur#os held5
Mo#e i!po#tant, 9e find no co!pellin$ #eason fo# the haste 9ith 9hich the a##estin$ office#s sou$ht
to a##est the accused. Ae fail to see 9h* the* failed to fi#st $o th#ou$h the p#ocess of obtainin$ a
9a##ant of a##est, if indeed the* had #easonable $#ound to believe that the accused had t#ul*
co!!itted a c#i!e. The#e is no sho9in$ that the#e 9as a #eal app#ehension that the accused 9as on
the ve#$e of fli$ht o# escape. 8i"e9ise, the#e is no sho9in$ that the 9he#eabouts of the accused
9e#e un"no9n. 12
I do not li"e9ise see ho9 the petitione#s !elia RoBue, Ailf#edo &uenaob#a, Do!in$o nonuevo, Ra!on %aspile, and
Vic"* Oca*a 2>.R. Nos. .0+.3-.17 .(3/14 could have been la9full* pic"ed up unde# si!ila# ci#cu!stances. s the
!a:o#it* points out, the !ilita#* had 2a$ain4 acted on a !e#e tip-the !ilita#* had no pe#sonal "no9led$e 2as I elabo#ated
9hat pe#sonal "no9led$e !eans4. Second, I do not thin" that the !a:o#it* can sa* that since !elia RoBue, et al. L9e#e
NP=s an*9a*L 2s RoBue, et al. alle$edl* ad!itted4, i!!ediate arrests were 4prudent4 and necessar%. As 2 said, that
RoBue, et al. 9e#e ad!itted LNP=sL is 29as4 the Buestion befo#e the t#ial cou#t and p#ecisel*, the sub:ect of cont#ove#s*. I
thin" it is i!p#udent fo# this %ou#t to pass :ud$!ent on the $uilt of the petitione#s-since afte# all, and as the
!a:o#it* points out, 9e a#e tal"in$ si!pl* of the le$alit* of the petitione#=s a##ests.
Mo#e i!po#tant, that RoBue, et al. L9e#e NP=s an*9a*L is evidentl*, a !e#e sa*-so of the !ilita#*, and evidentl*, the
%ou#t is not bound b* ba#e sa*-so=s. ?videntl*, 9e can not app#ove an a##est si!pl* because the !ilita#* sa*s it is a valid
a##est 2the accused bein$ LNP=s an*9a*L4M that 9ould be abdication of :udicial dut* and 9hen, !o#eove#, the ve#*
basis of the clai! #ests on dubious Lconfidential info#!ation.L
cco#din$ to the !a:o#it*, 9e a#e spea"in$ of si!ple a##ests7 9e a#e not tal"in$ of the $uilt o# innocence of the accused. I
ce#tainl* hope not, afte# the !a:o#it* #efe##ed to Rolando Du#al as a Lspa##o9 !anL and havin$ !elia RoBue, et al. ad!it
to bein$ NP=s.L
It is to $loss ove# at an* #ate, the natu#e of a##est as a #est#ainin$ on libe#t*. It is to !e i!!ate#ial that the $uilt of the
accused still has to be established, since !ean9hile, the accused a#e in fact $ein# dep#ived of libe#t*. ##est to !e, is
so!ethin$ to c#o9 about, even if in the opinion of the !a:o#it*, it is nothin$ to c#o9 about 2a !e#e Lad!inist#ative
!easu#eL4.
I can not, a$ain, accept the validit* of the a##ests of Deo$#acia ?spi#itu o# Na#ciso Na;a#eno 2>.R. Nos. .+'1'7 ./((14.
?spi#itu 9as supposedl* pic"ed up fo# incitin$ to sedition, in utte#in$ supposedl*, on Nove!be# 11, 3,.., the follo9in$5
Du5as tulo% and wel#a natin . . . han##an# sa ma#5a#ulo na. 1&
?spi#itu ho9eve# 9as a##ested on Nove!be# 1(, 3,.., a da* late#-and in no 9a* is Lincitin$ to seditionL a continuin$
offense. Obviousl*, the !a:o#it* is not sa*in$ that it is eithe#, but that5
. . . Man* pe#sons !a* diffe# as to the validit* of such pe#ception and #e$a#d the lan$ua$e as fallin$
9ithin f#ee speech $ua#anteed b* the %onstitution. &ut, then, ?spi#itu has not lost the #i$ht to insist,
du#in$ the t#ial on the !e#its, that he 9as :ust e6e#cisin$ his #i$ht to f#ee speech #e$a#dless of the
cha#$ed at!osphe#e in 9hich it 9as utte#ed. &ut, the autho#it* of the peace office#s to !a"e the
a##est, 9ithout 9a##ant, at the ti!e the 9o#ds 9e#e utte#ed, o# soon the#eafte#, is still anothe# thin$. In
the balancin$ of autho#it* and f#eedo!, 9hich obviousl* beco!es difficult at ti!es, the %ou#t has, in
this case, titled the scale in favo# of autho#it* but onl* fo# pu#poses of the a##est 2not conviction4. 8et
it be noted that the %ou#t has o#de#ed the bail fo# ?spi#itu=s #elease to be #educed f#o! P/-,---.--
to P3-,---.--. 14
nd obviousl*, the !a:o#it* is conce#ned about 9hethe# o# not ?spi#itu=s speech 9as afte# all, p#otected speech, but
appa#entl*, that is also of no !o!ent, since5 234 that is a !atte# of defense7 214 9e a#e tal"in$ of !e#e a##ests, and as fa#
as a##ests a#e conce#ned, Lthe %ou#t has, in this case, titled in favo# of autho#it*,L 15 and 2(4 9e have, an*9a*, $iven a
#educed bail to the accused.
@i#st, that the accused=s state!ent is in the cate$o#* of f#ee speech is not onl* plain to !* !ind, it is a Buestion I do not
thin" the !a:o#it* can #i$htl* evade in these petitions 9ithout shi#"in$ the %ou#t=s constitutional dut*. It is to !* !ind
plain, because it does not contain enou$h Lfi$htin$ 9o#dsL #eco$ni;ed to be seditious. 1' Secondl*, it is the ve#* Buestion
befo#e the %ou#tM9hethe# o# not the state!ent in Buestion constitutes an offense fo# pu#poses of a 9a##antless a##est. It
is a pe#fectl* le$al Buestion to !* !ind and I a! 9onde#in$ 9h* 9e can not ans9e# it.
Ahat the !a:o#it* has not ans9e#ed, as I indicated, is that incitin$ to sedition is in no 9a* a continuin$ offense, and as I
said, the !a:o#it* is not appa#entl* convicted that it is, eithe#. Of cou#se, the !a:o#it* 9ould an*9a* fo#ce the issue5 L&ut
the autho#it* of the peace office#s to !a"e the a##est, 9ithout 9a##ant, at the ti!e the 9o#ds 9e#e utte#ed, o# soon
the#eafte#, is still anothe# thin$.L 1% @i#st, ?spi#itu 9as pic"ed up the follo9in$ da*, and in no 9a* is Lthe follo9in$ da*L
Lsoon the#eafte#L. Second, 9e 9ould have st#etched the autho#it* of peace office#s to !a"e 9a##antless a##ests fo# acts
done da*s befo#e. I do not thin" this is the conte!plation of the Rules of %ou#t.
s in the case of &u#$os in People vs. Dur#os, 18 ?spi#itu 9as neithe# Lon the ve#$e of fli$ht o# escapeL 19 and the#e
9as no i!pedi!ent fo# the !ilita#* to $o th#ou$h the :udicial p#ocesses, as the#e 9as none in the case of &u#$os.
In the case of People vs. Aminnudin, 20 this %ou#t held that unless the#e L9as a c#i!e about to be co!!itted o# had :ust
been co!!itted,L and unless the#e e6isted an u#$enc* as 9he#e a !ovin$ vehicle is involved, instant police action can
not be :ustified.
LIn the balancin$ of autho#it* and f#eedo!,L states the !a:o#it*, Lthe %ou#t has, in this case, titled in favo# of autho#it* but
onl* fo# pu#poses of the a##est 2not conviction4.L 21 It is a st#an$e decla#ation, fi#st, because it is suppo#ted b* no
autho#it* 29h* the %ou#t should LtiltL on the side of >ove#n!ent4, and second, because this %ou#t has leaned, b*
t#adition, on the side of libe#t* M as the custodian of the &ill of Ri$hts M even if 9e 9e#e tal"in$ of Lsi!pleL a##ests.
I do not unde#stand 9h* this %ou#t should LtiltL . . . the scale in favo# of autho#it* . . . in this case,L 22 as if to sa* that
no#!all*, this %ou#t 9ould have tilted the scales the othe# 9a*. I do not unde#stand 9h* these cases a#e appa#entl*,
special cases, and appa#entl*, the !a:o#it* is not tellin$ us neithe#. I a! 9onde#in$ 9h*, apa#t f#o! the fact that these
cases involved, incidentall*, people 9ho thin" diffe#entl* f#o! the #est of us.
The !a:o#it* $oes on5
lthou$h the "illin$ of &un*e II occu##ed on 30 Dece!be# 3,.., 9hile Na;a#eno=s a##est 9ithout
9a##ant 9as !ade onl* on 1. Dece!be# 3,.., o# 30 da*s late#, the a##est falls unde# Section +2b4 of
Rule 33(, since it 9as onl* on 1. Dece!be# 3,.. that the police autho#ities ca!e to "no9 that
Na;a#eno 9as p#obabl* one of those $uilt* in the "illin$ of &un*e II. 2&
Aith all due #espect, I do not thin" that the !a:o#it* is a9a#e of the se#ious i!plications of its p#onounce!ent on
individual #i$hts 2and statuto#* const#uction in $ene#al4, and I feel I a! app#op#iatel* conce#ned because as a !e!be# of
the %ou#t, I a! co-#esponsible fo# the acts of !* collea$ues and I a! af#aid that I !a*, #i$htl* o# 9#on$l*, be in ti!e
!ade to defend such an indefensible p#onounce!ent.
Section +2b4 of Rule 33( is clea# and cate$o#ical5 the offense !ust have been L:ust co!!ittedL and the autho#ities !ust
have Lpe#sonal "no9led$e.L
In no 9a* can an offense be said to have been L:ust co!!ittedL fou#teen da*s afte# it 9as in fact 2alle$edl*4 co!!itted.
In no 9a* can the autho#ities be said to have Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL t9o 9ee"s the#eafte#7 9hateve# Lpe#sonal
"no9led$eL the* have can not possibl* be Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL of a c#i!e that had L:ust been co!!itted7L 9hateve#
Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL the* have is necessa#il* Lpe#sonal "no9led$eL of a c#i!e co!!itted t9o 9ee"s befo#e.
In no 9a* can Na;a#eno=s a##est be said to be an a##est sanctioned b* the e6ceptional p#ovisions of the Rules.
I a! not sa*in$ that the !ilita#* can not act in all cases, and it is shee# i$no#ance to suppose that I a! sa*in$ it, 2o#
9o#se, that I a! Lcoddlin$ c#i!inalsL4. I a! not sa*in$ that a suspected c#i!inal, if he can not be a##ested 9ithout a
9a##ant, can not be a##ested at all M but that the !ilita#* should fi#st p#ocu#e a 9a##ant f#o! a :ud$e befo#e effectin$ an
a##est. It is not too !uch to as" of so-called la9 enfo#ce#s.
s it is, the !a:o#it* has enla#$ed the autho#it* of peace office#s to act, 9hen the Rules have pu#posel* li!ited it b* 9a*
of an e6ception, p#ecisel*, to the $ene#al #ule, !andated b* the %onstitution no less, that a##ests !a* be done onl*
th#ou$h a :udicial 9a##ant. s it is, the !a:o#it* has in fact $iven the !ilita#* the b#oadest disc#etion to act, a disc#etion the
la9 denies even :ud$es 24 M toda* it is fou#teen da*s, to!o##o9, one *ea#, and soone#, a decade. I sub!it that a *ea#, a
decade, 9ould not be in fact un#easonable, follo9in$ the theo#* of the !a:o#it*, since the !ilita#* can clai! an*ti!e that it
Lfound out onl* late#,L as the !a:o#it* did not find it un#easonable fo# the Capital Command to claim that it Lcame to 5now
that Na;a#eno 9as p#obabl* one of those $uilt* in the "illin$ of &un*e IIL25Mand none of us can possibl* dispute it.
I 9ould li"e to st#ess st#on$l* that 9e a#e not tal"in$ of a si!ple Lad!inist#ative !easu#eL aloneM9e a#e tal"in$
ofarrests, of dep#ivin$ people of libe#t*Meven if 9e a#e not *et tal"in$ of 9hethe# o# not people a#e $uilt*. That 9e a#e not
conce#ned 9ith $uilt o# innocence is ha#dl* the point, I #espectfull* sub!it, and it 9ill not !ini!i;e the si$nificance of the
petitione#s= p#edica!ent.
Aith #espect to Ailf#edo &uenaob#a, I sub!it that the !a:o#it* has, as in the cases of !elia RoBue, et al., i$no#ed the
fact that &uenaob#a=s alle$ed Lad!issionL 2actuall*, an uncounselled confession4 9as p#ecisel*, the basis fo#
&uenaob#a=s a##est. It is to be$ the Buestion, I #espectfull* sub!it, to app#ove the !ilita#*=s action fo# the #eason that
&uenaob#a confessed, because &uenaob#a confessed fo# the #eason that the !ilita#*, p#ecisel*, pounced on hi!. I a!
not to be !ista"en fo# p#e:ud$in$ &uenaob#a=s innocence 2althou$h it is supposed to be p#esu!ed4 but I can not i!a$ine
that &uenaob#a 9ould have volunta#il* p#oclai!ed to the !ilita#* that he 9as an NP cou#ie# so that the !ilita#* could
pounce on hi!.
I #espectfull* sub!it that the cases Garcia vs. Padilla 2' and 2la#an vs. 9nrile 2% have been bette# da*s. I do not see
ho9 this cou#t can continuousl* sustain the! L9he#e national secu#it* and stabilit* a#e still di#ectl* challen$ed pe#haps
9ith $#eate# vi$o# f#o! the co!!unist #ebels.L 28 @i#st and fo#e!ost, and as the !a:o#it* has conceded, 9e do not "no9
if 9e a#e in fact dealin$ 9ith L%o!!unists.L The case of Deo$#acias ?spi#itu, fo# one, ha#dl* involves subve#sion.
Second, L%o!!unis!L and Lnational secu#it*L a#e old hat M the dictato#=s o9n e6cuses to pe#petuate t*#ann*, and I a!
$enuinel* disappointed that 9e 9ould still fall fo# old e6cuses. Thi#d, >a#cia and Ila$an #ested on supposed $#ounds that
can not be possibl* :ustified in a #e$i!e that #espects the #ule of la9 M that the P#esidential %o!!it!ent O#de# 2P%O4 is
a valid p#esidential docu!ent 2>a#cia4 and that the filin$ of an info#!ation cu#es a defective a##est 2Ila$an4. @ou#th and
finall*, it is evident that neithe# L%o!!unist th#eatL no# Lnational secu#it*L a#e valid $#ounds fo# 9a##antless a##ests unde#
Section +2b4 of Rule 33(.
I !ost #espectfull* sub!it that >a#cia and Ila$an have not onl* been diluted b* subseBuent :u#isp#udence 2e.$., People
vs. &u#$os, supra4, the* a#e #elics of autho#ita#ian #ule that can no lon$e# be defended, if the* could have been defended,
in Pla;a Mi#anda o# befo#e ou# o9n pee#s in the ba#.
LAhat is i!po#tant,L sa*s the !a:o#it*, Lis that eve#* a##est 9ithout 9a##ant be tested as to its le$alit*, via ha$eas
corpus p#oceedin$s.L 29 I supposed that $oes 9ithout sa*in$. &ut it is also to pat#oni;e the petitione#s and si!pl*, to
offe# a s!all consolation, 9hen afte# all, this %ou#t is validatin$ thei# continued detention. &0 Aith all due #espect, I
sub!it that it is nothin$ fo# 9hich the public should be elated.
A 8inal Cord
s I be$an !* dissent, in this Resolution and the Decision sou$ht to be #econside#ed, I #eite#ate one p#inciple5 The State
has no #i$ht to bothe# citi;ens 9ithout inf#in$in$ thei# #i$ht a$ainst a#bit#a#* State action. LThe #i$ht of the people,L states
the %onstitution, Lto be secu#e in thei# pe#sons, houses, pape#s, and effects a$ainst un#easonable sea#che#s and
sei;u#es of 9hateve# natu#e and fo# an* pu#pose shall be inviolable . . . .L &1 LThe State,L the %ha#te# li"e9ise states,
Lvalues the di$nit* of eve#* hu!an pe#son and $ua#antees full #espect fo# hu!an #i$hts.L&2 The %onstitution states the
$ene#al #ule M the !a:o#it* 9ould !a"e the e6ception the #ule, and the #ule the e6ception. Aith all due #espect, this is
not 9hat constitutionalis! is all about.
I sub!it that the Lactual facts and ci#cu!stancesL the !a:o#it* #efe#s to a#e, in the fi#st place, doubtful, the Lactual facts
and ci#cu!stancesL bein$ no !o#e than Lconfidential info#!ationL 2!anufactu#ed o# $enuine, 9e have no 9a* of tellin$4
and in the second place, an* info#!ation 9ith 9hich the !ilita#* 2o# police4 9e#e a#!ed could no !o#e than be hea#sa*,
not pe#sonal, info#!ation. I sub!it that the Lactual facts and ci#cu!stancesL the !a:o#it* insists on can not :ustif* the
a##ests in Buestion unde# Section +2b4 of Rule 33(, the #ule the !a:o#it* insists is the applicable #ule.
ppa#entl*, Section +2b4 is not the applicable #ule, as fa# as Deo$#acias ?spi#itu and Na#ciso Na;a#eno a#e conce#ned7
ce#tainl*, it is not the Section +2b4 I "no9. s I indicated, ?spi#itu 9as a##ested one da* afte# the act, alle$edl*, incitin$ to
sedition7 Na;a#eno 9as pic"ed up fou#teen da*s afte# it 2alle$edl*, !u#de#4. Het, the !a:o#it* 9ould app#ove the police=s
actions nonetheless because the police supposedl* Lfound out onl* late#.L I sub!it that the !a:o#it* has #ead into Section
+2b4 a p#ovision that has not been 9#itten the#e.
LMo#e than the allu#e of popula#it* of palatabilit* to so!e $#oups,L concludes the !a:o#it*, Lwhat is important is that the
Court $e ri#ht.L &&
Nobod* has su$$ested in the fi#st place, that E!il 9as and is a Buestion of popula#it* o# palatabilit*. E!il is a Buestion,
on the cont#a#*, of 9hethe# o# not the !ilita#* 2o# police4, in effectin$ the a##ests assailed, had co!plied 9ith the
#eBui#e!ents of la9 on 9a##antless a##ests. E!il is a Buestion of 9hethe# o# not this %ou#t, in app#ovin$ the !ilita#*=s
actions, is #i$ht.
In spite of L?DSL, a cli!ate of fea# pe#sists in the count#*, as incidences of disappea#ances, to#tu#e, ha!lettin$,
bo!bin$s, satu#ation d#ives, and va#ious hu!an #i$hts violations inc#ease in ala#!in$ #ates. In its update fo# Octobe#,
3,,-, the Tas" @o#ce Detainees of the Philippines found5
n ave#a$e of 1-, a##ested fo# political #easons !onthl* since 3,.., ,0Q of the! ille$all*7
@ou# thousand fou# hund#ed ei$ht 20,0-.4 political detentions f#o! )anua#*, 3,., to Septe!be#, 3,,-, 0,03,, ille$all*7
Of those a##ested, +(+ sho9ed si$ns of to#tu#e7 1.- 9e#e eventuall* salva$ed, 0-, of f#ust#ated salva$e, and 3-,
#e!ained !issin$ afte# thei# a##est7
@o#t* 20-4 cases of !assac#es, 9ith 13. "illed7 +0 cases of f#ust#ated !assac#e, in 9hich 3+' 9e#e 9ounded7
The victi!s belon$ed to nei$hbo#hood and union o#$ani;ations7
Since @eb#ua#*, 3,./, +(1 of those ille$all* a##ested 9e#e 9o!en7
@#o! )anua#* to )une 3,,-, (/3 child#en 9e#e detained fo# no appa#ent #eason7
One !illion ten thousand fou# hund#ed nine 23,-3-,0-,4 have been in:u#ed as a conseBuence of bo!bin$, shellin$s, and
food bloc"ades unde#ta"en b* the !ilita#* since 3,... &4
It is a blea" pictu#e, and I a! distu#bed that this %ou#t should e6p#ess ve#* little conce#n. I a! also disappointed that it is
the po#t#ait of the %ou#t I a! soon leavin$. Nonetheless, I a! hopeful that despite !* depa#tu#e, it 9ill not be too late.
Motions denied.
U.S. Supreme Court
ARIZONA v. HICKS, 480 U.S. 321 (1987)
480 U.S. 321
ARIZONA v. HICKS
CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF APPEALS OF ARIZONA
No. 8!1027.
A"#$%& '%(%)*%" 8, 198+
'%(,&%& -."(/ 3, 1987
A bullet fired through the floor of respondent's apartment injured a man on the floor below. Police entered the apartment
to search for the shooter, for other victims, and for weapons, and there seized three weapons and discovered a stocing!
cap mas. "hile there, one of the policemen noticed two sets of e#pensive stereo components and, suspecting that the$
were stolen, read and recorded their serial numbers ! moving some of them, including a turntable, to do so ! and phoned
in the numbers to head%uarters. Upon learning that the turntable had been taen in an armed robber$, he seized it
immediatel$. &espondent was subse%uentl$ indicted for the robber$, but the state trial court granted his motion to
suppress the evidence that had been seized, and the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed. &el$ing upon a statement in
'ince$ v. Arizona, ()* U.S. )+, , that a warrantless search must be -strictl$ circumscribed b$ the e#igencies which justif$
its initiation,- the Court of Appeals held that the policeman's obtaining the serial numbers violated the .ourth
Amendment because it was unrelated to the shooting, the e#igent circumstance that justified the initial entr$ and search.
/oth state courts rejected the contention that the policeman's actions were justified under the -plain view- doctrine.
Held:
0. 1he policeman's actions come within the purview of the .ourth Amendment. 1he mere recording of the serial numbers
did not constitute a -seizure- since it did not meaningfull$ interfere with respondent's possessor$ interest in either the
numbers or the stereo e%uipment. 2owever, the moving of the e%uipment was a -search- separate and apart from the
search that was the lawful objective of entering the apartment. 1he fact that the search uncovered nothing of great
personal value to respondent is irrelevant. Pp. )3(!)3,.
3. 1he -plain view- doctrine does not render the search -reasonable- under the .ourth Amendment. Pp. )3,!)34.
5a6 1he policeman's action directed to the stereo e%uipment was not ipso facto unreasonable simpl$ because it was
unrelated to the justification for entering the apartment. 1hat lac of relationship alwa$s e#ists when the -plain view-
doctrine applies. 7n sa$ing that a warrantless search must be -strictl$ circumscribed b$ the e#igencies which justif$ its
initiation,- 'ince$ was simpl$ addressing the scope8(+9 U.S. )30, )33: of the primar$ search itself, and was not
overruling the -plain view- doctrine b$ implication. Pp. )3,!)3;.
5b6 2owever, the search was invalid because, as the State concedes, the policeman had onl$ a -reasonable suspicion- ! i.
e., less than probable cause to believe ! that the stereo e%uipment was stolen. Probable cause is re%uired to invoe the
-plain view- doctrine as it applies to seizures. 7t would be illogical to hold that an object is seizable on lesser grounds,
during an unrelated search and seizure, than would have been needed to obtain a warrant for it if it had been nown to be
on the premises. Probable cause to believe the e%uipment was stolen was also necessar$ to support the search here,
whether legal authorit$ to move the e%uipment could be found onl$ as the inevitable concomitant of the authorit$ to seize
it, or also as a conse%uence of some independent power to search objects in plain view. Pp. )3;!)3+.
). 1he policeman's action cannot be upheld on the ground that it was not a -full!blown search- but was onl$ a -cursor$
inspection- that could be justified b$ reasonable suspicion instead of probable cause. A trul$ cursor$ inspection ! one that
involves merel$ looing at what is alread$ e#posed to view, without disturbing it ! is not a -search- for .ourth
Amendment purposes, and therefore does not even re%uire reasonable suspicion. 1his Court is unwilling to create a
subcategor$ of -cursor$- searches under the .ourth Amendment. Pp. )3+!)34.
0(; Ariz. ,)), *9* P.3d ))0, affirmed.
SCA<7A, =., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which /&>??A?, "271>, 'A&S2A<<, /<AC@'U?, and S1>A>?S,
==., joined. "271>, =., filed a concurring opinion, post, p. )34. PB"><<, =., filed a dissenting opinion, in which
&>2?CU7S1, C. =., and B'CB??B&, =., joined, post, p. ))9. B'CB??B&, =., filed a dissenting opinion, in which
&>2?CU7S1, C. =., and PB"><<, =., joined, post, p. ))).
<inda A. Aers, Assistant Attorne$ Deneral of Arizona, argued the cause for petitioner. "ith her on the briefs were
&obert @. Corbin, Attorne$ Deneral, Steven A. <a'ar, Assistant Attorne$ Deneral, and Steven =. 1wist, Chief Assistant
Attorne$ Deneral.
=ohn ". &ood 777, b$ appointment of the Court, (*; U.S. 000) , argued the cause for respondent. "ith him on the brief
was =ames 2. @emper. E
8 .ootnote E : Favid Crump, Faniel /. 2ales, "illiam C. Summers, =ac >. Gelverton, .red >. 7nbau, "a$ne ". Schmidt,
and =ames P. 'ana filed a brief for Americans for >ffective <aw >nforcement, 7nc., et al. as amici curiae urging reversal.
"illiam =. 1a$lor, Deorge @annar, and /urt ?euborne filed a brief for the American Civil <iberties Union .oundation as
amicus curiae urging affirmance. 8(+9 U.S. )30, )3):
=US17C> SCA<7A delivered the opinion of the Court.
7n Coolidge v. ?ew 2ampshire, (9) U.S. (() 504*06, we said that in certain circumstances a warrantless seizure b$ police
of an item that comes within plain view during their lawful search of a private area ma$ be reasonable under the .ourth
Amendment. See id., at (;,!(*0 5pluralit$ opinion6H id., at ,9,!,9; 5/lac, =., concurring and dissenting6H id., at ,30!,33
5"271>, =., concurring and dissenting6. "e granted certiorari, (*, U.S. 009* 504+;6, in the present case to decide
whether this -plain view- doctrine ma$ be invoed when the police have less than probable cause to believe that the item
in %uestion is evidence of a crime or is contraband.
I
Bn April 0+, 04+(, a bullet was fired through the floor of respondent's apartment, striing and injuring a man in the
apartment below. Police officers arrived and entered respondent's apartment to search for the shooter, for other victims,
and for weapons. 1he$ found and seized three weapons, including a sawed!off rifle, and in the course of their search also
discovered a stocing!cap mas.
Bne of the policemen, Bfficer ?elson, noticed two sets of e#pensive stereo components, which seemed out of place in the
s%ualid and otherwise ill!appointed four!room apartment. Suspecting that the$ were stolen, he read and recorded their
serial numbers ! moving some of the components, including a /ang and Blufsen turntable, in order to do so ! which he
then reported b$ phone to his head%uarters. Bn being advised that the turntable had been taen in an armed robber$, he
seized it immediatel$. 7t was later determined that some of the other serial numbers matched those on other stereo
e%uipment taen in the same armed robber$, and a warrant 8(+9 U.S. )30, )3(: was obtained and e#ecuted to seize that
e%uipment as well. &espondent was subse%uentl$ indicted for the robber$.
1he state trial court granted respondent's motion to suppress the evidence that had been seized. 1he Court of Appeals of
Arizona affirmed. 7t was conceded that the initial entr$ and search, although warrantless, were justified b$ the e#igent
circumstance of the shooting. 1he Court of Appeals viewed the obtaining of the serial numbers, however, as an additional
search, unrelated to that e#igenc$. &el$ing upon a statement in 'ince$ v. Arizona, ()* U.S. )+, 504*+6, that a
-warrantless search must be Istrictl$ circumscribed b$ the e#igencies which justif$ its initiation,'- id., at )4) 5citation
omitted6, the Court of Appeals held that the police conduct violated the .ourth Amendment, re%uiring the evidence
derived from that conduct to be e#cluded. 0(; Ariz. ,)), ,)(!,),, *9* P.3d ))0, ))3!))) 504+,6. /oth courts ! the trial
court e#plicitl$ and the Court of Appeals b$ necessar$ implication ! rejected the State's contention that Bfficer ?elson's
actions were justified under the -plain view- doctrine of Coolidge v. ?ew 2ampshire, supra. 1he Arizona Supreme Court
denied review, and the State filed this petition.
II
As an initial matter, the State argues that Bfficer ?elson's actions constituted neither a -search- nor a -seizure- within the
meaning of the .ourth Amendment. "e agree that the mere recording of the serial numbers did not constitute a seizure.
1o be sure, that was the first step in a process b$ which respondent was eventuall$ deprived of the stereo e%uipment. 7n
and of itself, however, it did not -meaningfull$ interfere- with respondent's possessor$ interest in either the serial
numbers or the e%uipment, and therefore did not amount to a seizure. See 'ar$land v. 'acon, (*3 U.S. (;), (;4504+,6.
Bfficer ?elson's moving of the e%uipment, however, did constitute a -search- separate and apart from the search for 8(+9
U.S. )30, )3,: the shooter, victims, and weapons that was the lawful objective of his entr$ into the apartment. 'erel$
inspecting those parts of the turntable that came into view during the latter search would not have constituted an
independent search, because it would have produced no additional invasion of respondent's privac$ interest. See 7llinois
v. Andreas, (;) U.S. *;,, **0504+)6. /ut taing action, unrelated to the objectives of the authorized intrusion, which
e#posed to view concealed portions of the apartment or its contents, did produce a new invasion of respondent's privac$
unjustified b$ the e#igent circumstance that validated the entr$. 1his is wh$, contrar$ to =US17C> PB"><<'S suggestion,
post, at ))), the -distinction between Ilooing' at a suspicious object in plain view and Imoving' it even a few inches- is
much more than trivial for purposes of the .ourth Amendment. 7t matters not that the search uncovered nothing of an$
great personal value to respondent ! serial numbers rather than 5what might conceivabl$ have been hidden behind or
under the e%uipment6 letters or photographs. A search is a search, even if it happens to disclose nothing but the bottom
of a turntable.
III
1he remaining %uestion is whether the search was -reasonable- under the .ourth Amendment.
Bn this aspect of the case we reject, at the outset, the apparent position of the Arizona Court of Appeals that because the
officers' action directed to the stereo e%uipment was unrelated to the justification for their entr$ into respondent's
apartment, it was ipso facto unreasonable. 1hat lac of relationship alwa$s e#ists with regard to action validated under
the -plain view- doctrineH where action is taen for the purpose justif$ing the entr$, invocation of the doctrine is
superfluous. 'ince$ v. Arizona, supra, in sa$ing that a warrantless search must be -strictl$ circumscribed b$ the
e#igencies which justif$ its initiation,- ()* U.S., at )4) 5citation omitted6, was addressing onl$ the scope of the
primar$ 8(+9 U.S. )30, )3;: search itself, and was not overruling b$ implication the man$ cases acnowledging that the
-plain view- doctrine can legitimate action be$ond that scope.
"e turn, then, to application of the doctrine to the facts of this case. -7t is well established that under certain
circumstances the police ma$ seize evidence in plain view without a warrant,- Coolidge v. ?ew 2ampshire, (9) U.S., at
(;, 5pluralit$ opinion6 5emphasis added6. 1hose circumstances include situations -8w:here the initial intrusion that
brings the police within plain view of such 8evidence: is supported . . . b$ one of the recognized e#ceptions to the warrant
re%uirement,- ibid., such as the e#igent!circumstances intrusion here. 7t would be absurd to sa$ that an object could
lawfull$ be seized and taen from the premises, but could not be moved for closer e#amination. 7t is clear, therefore, that
the search here was valid if the -plain view- doctrine would have sustained a seizure of the e%uipment.
1here is no doubt it would have done so if Bfficer ?elson had probable cause to believe that the e%uipment was stolen.
1he State has conceded, however, that he had onl$ a -reasonable suspicion,- b$ which it means something less than
probable cause. See /rief for Petitioner 0+!04. E "e have not ruled on the %uestion whether probable cause is re%uired in
order to invoe the -plain view- doctrine. Ficta in Pa$ton v. ?ew Gor, ((, U.S. ,*), ,+* 504+96, suggested that the
standard of probable cause must be met, but our later opinions in 1e#as v. /rown, (;9 U.S. *)9 504+)6, e#plicitl$
regarded the issue as unresolved, see id., at *(3, n. * 5pluralit$ opinion6H id., at *(; 5S1>A>?S, =., concurring in
judgment6.
"e now hold that probable cause is re%uired. 1o sa$ otherwise would be to cut the -plain view- doctrine loose from its
theoretical and practical moorings. 1he theor$ of that doctrine consists of e#tending to nonpublic places such as the 8(+9
U.S. )30, )3*: home, where searches and seizures without a warrant are presumptivel$ unreasonable, the police's
longstanding authorit$ to mae warrantless seizures in public places of such objects as weapons and contraband. See
Pa$ton v. ?ew Gor, supra, at ,+;!,+*. And the practical justification for that e#tension is the desirabilit$ of sparing
police, whose viewing of the object in the course of a lawful search is as legitimate as it would have been in a public place,
the inconvenience and the ris ! to themselves or to preservation of the evidence ! of going to obtain a warrant. See
Coolidge v. ?ew 2ampshire, supra, at (;+ 5pluralit$ opinion6. Fispensing with the need for a warrant is worlds apart
from permitting a lesser standard of cause for the seizure than a warrant would re%uire, i. e., the standard of probable
cause. ?o reason is apparent wh$ an object should routinel$ be seizable on lesser grounds, during an unrelated search
and seizure, than would have been needed to obtain a warrant for that same object if it had been nown to be on the
premises.
"e do not sa$, of course, that a seizure can never be justified on less than probable cause. "e have held that it can !
where, for e#ample, the seizure is minimall$ intrusive and operational necessities render it the onl$ practicable means of
detecting certain t$pes of crime. See, e. g., United States v. Cortez, ((4 U.S. (00 504+06 5investigative detention of vehicle
suspected to be transporting illegal aliens6H United States v. /rignoni!Ponce, (33 U.S. +*) 504*,6 5same6H United States v.
Place, (;3 U.S. ;4;, *94 , and n. 4 504+)6 5dictum6 5seizure of suspected drug dealer's luggage at airport to permit
e#posure to speciall$ trained dog6. ?o special operational necessities are relied on here, however ! but rather the mere
fact that the items in %uestion came lawfull$ within the officer's plain view. 1hat alone cannot supplant the re%uirement
of probable cause.
1he same considerations preclude us from holding that, even though probable cause would have been necessar$ for a
seizure, the search of objects in plain view that occurred here 8(+9 U.S. )30, )3+: could be sustained on lesser grounds.
A dwelling!place search, no less than a dwelling!place seizure, re%uires probable cause, and there is no reason in theor$
or practicalit$ wh$ application of the -plain view- doctrine would supplant that re%uirement. Although the interest
protected b$ the .ourth Amendment injunction against unreasonable searches is %uite different from that protected b$
its injunction against unreasonable seizures, see 1e#as v. /rown, supra, at *(*!*(+ 5S1>A>?S, =., concurring in
judgment6, neither the one nor the other is of inferior worth or necessaril$ re%uires onl$ lesser protection. "e have not
elsewhere drawn a categorical distinction between the two insofar as concerns the degree of justification needed to
establish the reasonableness of police action, and we see no reason for a distinction in the particular circumstances
before us here. 7ndeed, to treat searches more liberall$ would especiall$ erode the pluralit$'s warning in Coolidge that
-the Iplain view' doctrine ma$ not be used to e#tend a general e#plorator$ search from one object to another until
something incrimination at last emerges.- (9) U.S., at (;; . 7n short, whether legal authorit$ to move the e%uipment
could be found onl$ as an inevitable concomitant of the authorit$ to seize it, or also as a conse%uence of some
independent power to search certain objects in plain view, probable cause to believe the e%uipment was stolen was
re%uired.
=US17C> B'CB??B&'S dissent suggests that we uphold the action here on the ground that it was a -cursor$ inspection-
rather than a -full!blown search,- and could therefore be justified b$ reasonable suspicion instead of probable cause. As
alread$ noted, a trul$ cursor$ inspection ! one that involves merel$ looing at what is alread$ e#posed to view, without
disturbing it ! is not a -search- for .ourth Amendment purposes, and therefore does not even re%uire reasonable
suspicion. "e are unwilling to send police and judges into a new thicet of .ourth Amendment law, to see a creature of
uncertain description that is neither a -plain view- inspection nor 8(+9 U.S. )30, )34: $et a -full!blown search.- ?othing
in the prior opinions of this Court supports such a distinction, not even the dictum from =ustice Stewart's concurrence in
Stanle$ v. Deorgia, )4( U.S. ,,*, ,*0 504;46, whose reference to a -mere inspection- describes, in our view, close
observation of what lies in plain sight.
=US17C> PB"><<'S dissent reasonabl$ ass what it is we would have had Bfficer ?elson do in these circumstances.
Post, at ))3. 1he answer depends, of course, upon whether he had probable cause to conduct a search, a %uestion that
was not preserved in this case. 7f he had, then he should have done precisel$ what he did. 7f not, then he should have
followed up his suspicions, if possible, b$ means other than a search ! just as he would have had to do if, while waling
along the street, he had noticed the same suspicious stereo e%uipment sitting inside a house a few feet awa$ from him,
beneath an open window. 7t ma$ well be that, in such circumstances, no effective means short of a search e#ist. /ut there
is nothing new in the realization that the Constitution sometimes insulates the criminalit$ of a few in order to protect the
privac$ of us all. Bur disagreement with the dissenters pertains to where the proper balance should be strucH we choose
to adhere to the te#tual and traditional standard of probable cause.
1he State contends that, even if Bfficer ?elson's search violated the .ourth Amendment, the court below should have
admitted the evidence thus obtained under the -good faith- e#ception to the e#clusionar$ rule. 1hat was not the %uestion
on which certiorari was granted, and we decline to consider it.
.or the reasons stated, the judgment of the Court of Appeals of Arizona is
Affirmed.
8 .ootnote E : Contrar$ to the suggestion in =US17C> B'CB??B&'S dissent, post, at ))4, this concession precludes our
considering whether the probable!cause standard was satisfied in this case.
=US17C> "271>, concurring.
7 write onl$ to emphasize that this case does not present, and we have no occasion to address, the so!called
-inadvertent 8(+9 U.S. )30, ))9: discover$- prong of the plain!view e#ception to the "arrant Clause. See Coolidge v.
?ew 2ampshire, (9) U.S. ((), (;4 !(*0 504*06 5pluralit$ opinion6. 1his -re%uirement- of the plain!view doctrine has
never been accepted b$ a judgment supported b$ a majorit$ of this Court, and 7 therefore do not accept =US17C>
B'CB??B&'S dissent's assertion that evidence seized in plain view must have been inadvertentl$ discovered in order to
satisf$ the dictates of the .ourth Amendment. See post, at ))(. 7 join the majorit$ opinion toda$ without regard to the
inadvertence of the officers' discover$ of the stereo components' serial numbers. 1he police officers conducted a search of
respondent's stereo e%uipment absent probable cause that the e%uipment was stolen. 7t is for this reason that the
judgment of the Court of Appeals of Arizona must be affirmed.
=US17C> PB"><<, with whom 12> C27>. =US17C> and =US17C> B'CB??B& join, dissenting.
7 join =US17C> B'CB??B&'S dissenting opinion, and write briefl$ to highlight what seem to me the unfortunate
conse%uences of the Court's decision.
1oda$ the Court holds for the first time that the re%uirement of probable cause operates as a separate limitation on the
application of the plain!view doctrine. 0 1he pluralit$ opinion in Coolidge v. ?ew 2ampshire, (9) U.S. (() 504*06, 8(+9
U.S. )30, ))0: re%uired onl$ that it be -immediatel$ apparent to the police that the$ have evidence before themH the
Iplain view' doctrine ma$ not be used to e#tend a general e#plorator$ search from one object to another until something
incriminating at last emerges.- 7d., at (;; 5citation omitted6. 1here was no general e#plorator$ search in this case, and 7
would not approve such a search. All the pertinent objects were in plain view and could be identified as objects fre%uentl$
stolen. 1here was no looing into closets, opening of drawers or truns, or other -rummaging around.- =US17C>
B'CB??B& properl$ emphasizes that the moving of a suspicious object in plain view results in a minimal invasion of
privac$. Post, at ))+. 1he Court nevertheless holds that -merel$ looing at- an object in plain view is lawful, ante, at )3+,
but -moving- or -disturbing- the object to investigate a reasonable suspicion is not, ante, at )3(, )3+. 1he facts of this
case well illustrate the unreasonableness of this distinction.
1he officers' suspicion that the stereo components at issue were stolen was both reasonable and based on specific,
articulable facts. 7ndeed, the State was unwise to concede the absence of probable cause. 1he police lawfull$ entered
respondent's apartment under e#igent circumstances that arose when a bullet fired through the floor of the apartment
struc a man in the apartment below. "hat the$ saw in the apartment hardl$ suggested that it was occupied b$
lawabiding citizens. A .3,!caliber automatic pistol la$ in plain view on the living room floor. Furing a concededl$ lawful
search, the officers found a .(,!caliber automatic, a .33!caliber, sawed!off rifle, and a stocing!cap mas. 1he apartment
was littered with drug paraphernalia. App. 34. 1he officers also observed two sets of e#pensive stereo components of a
t$pe that fre%uentl$ was stolen. 3 8(+9 U.S. )30, ))3:
7t is fair to as what Bfficer ?elson should have done in these circumstances. Accepting the State's concession that he
laced probable cause, he could not have obtained a warrant to seize the stereo components. ?either could he have
remained on the premises and forcibl$ prevented their removal. Bfficer ?elson's testimon$ indicates that he was able to
read some of the serial numbers without moving the components. ) 1o read the serial number on a /ang and Blufsen
turntable, however, he had to -turn it around or turn it upside down.- 7d., at 04. Bfficer ?elson noted the serial numbers
on the stereo components and telephoned the ?ational Crime 7nformation Center to chec them against the Center's
computerized listing of stolen propert$. 1he computer confirmed his suspicion that at least the /ang and Blufsen
turntable had been stolen. Bn the basis of this information, the officers obtained a warrant to seize the turntable and
other stereo components that also proved to be stolen.
1he Court holds that there was an unlawful search of the turntable. 7t agrees that the -mere recording of the serial
numbers did not constitute a seizure.- Ante, at )3(. 1hus, if the computer had identified as stolen propert$ a component
with a visible serial number, the evidence would have been admissible. /ut the Court further holds that -Bfficer ?elson's
moving of the e%uipment . . . did constitute a Isearch' . . . .- 7bid. 7t perceives a constitutional distinction between reading
a serial number on an object and moving or picing up an identical object to see its serial number. 1o mae its position
unmistaabl$ clear, the Court concludes that a -search is a search, even if it happens to disclose nothing but the bottom
of a turntable.- Ante, at )3,. "ith 8(+9 U.S. )30, ))): all respect, this distinction between -looing- at a suspicious
object in plain view and -moving- it even a few inches trivializes the .ourth Amendment. ( 1he Court's new rule will
cause uncertaint$, and could deter conscientious police officers from lawfull$ obtaining evidence necessar$ to convict
guilt$ persons. Apart from the importance of rationalit$ in the interpretation of the .ourth Amendment, toda$'s decision
ma$ handicap law enforcement without enhancing privac$ interests. Accordingl$, 7 dissent.
U.S. Supreme Court
TERR0 v. OHIO, 392 U.S. 1 (19+8)
392 U.S. 1
TERR0 v. OHIO.
CERTIORARI TO THE SUPRE-E COURT OF OHIO.
No. +7.
A"#$%& '%(%)*%" 12, 19+7.
'%(,&%& 1$2% 10, 19+8.
A Cleveland detective 5'c.adden6, on a downtown beat which he had been patrolling for man$ $ears, observed two
strangers 5petitioner and another man, Chilton6 on a street corner. 2e saw them proceed alternatel$ bac and forth along
an identical route, pausing to stare in the same store window, which the$ did for a total of about 3( times. >ach
completion of the route was followed b$ a conference between the two on a corner, at one of which the$ were joined b$ a
third man 5@atz6 who left swiftl$. Suspecting the two men of -casing a job, a stic!up,- the officer followed them and saw
them rejoin the third man a couple of blocs awa$ in front of a store. 1he officer approached the three, identified himself
as a policeman, and ased their names. 1he men -mumbled something,- whereupon 'c.adden spun petitioner around,
patted down his outside clothing, and found in his overcoat pocet, but was unable to remove, a pistol. 1he officer
ordered the three into the store. 2e removed petitioner's overcoat, too out a revolver, and ordered the three to face the
wall with their hands raised. 2e patted down the outer clothing of Chilton and @atz and seized a revolver from Chilton's
outside overcoat pocet. 2e did not put his hands under the outer garments of @atz 5since he discovered nothing in his
pat!down which might have been a weapon6, or under petitioner's or Chilton's outer garments until he felt the guns. 1he
three were taen to the police station. Petitioner and Chilton were charged with carr$ing 8)43 U.S. 0, 3: concealed
weapons. 1he defense moved to suppress the weapons. 1hough the trial court rejected the prosecution theor$ that the
guns had been seized during a search incident to a lawful arrest, the court denied the motion to suppress and admitted
the weapons into evidence on the ground that the officer had cause to believe that petitioner and Chilton were acting
suspiciousl$, that their interrogation was warranted, and that the officer for his own protection had the right to pat down
their outer clothing having reasonable cause to believe that the$ might be armed. 1he court distinguished between an
investigator$ -stop- and an arrest, and between a -fris- of the outer clothing for weapons and a full!blown search for
evidence of crime. Petitioner and Chilton were found guilt$, an intermediate appellate court affirmed, and the State
Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on the ground that -no substantial constitutional %uestion- was involved. 2eldJ
0. 1he .ourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, made applicable to the States b$ the
.ourteenth Amendment, -protects people, not places,- and therefore applies as much to the citizen on the streets as well
as at home or elsewhere. Pp. +!4.
3. 1he issue in this case is not the abstract propriet$ of the police conduct but the admissibilit$ against petitioner of the
evidence uncovered b$ the search and seizure. P. 03.
). 1he e#clusionar$ rule cannot properl$ be invoed to e#clude the products of legitimate and restrained police
investigative techni%uesH and this Court's approval of such techni%ues should not discourage remedies other than the
e#clusionar$ rule to curtail police abuses for which that is not an effective sanction. Pp. 0)!0,.
(. 1he .ourth Amendment applies to -stop and fris- procedures such as those followed here. Pp. 0;!39.
5a6 "henever a police officer accosts an individual and restrains his freedom to wal awa$, he has -seized- that person
within the meaning of the .ourth Amendment. P. 0;.
5b6 A careful e#ploration of the outer surfaces of a person's clothing in an attempt to find weapons is a -search- under
that Amendment. P. 0;.
,. "here a reasonabl$ prudent officer is warranted in the circumstances of a given case in believing that his safet$ or that
of others is endangered, he ma$ mae a reasonable search for weapons of the person believed b$ him to be armed and
dangerous 8)43 U.S. 0, ): regardless of whether he has probable cause to arrest that individual for crime or the absolute
certaint$ that the individual is armed. Pp. 39!3*.
5a6 1hough the police must whenever practicable secure a warrant to mae a search and seizure, that procedure cannot
be followed where swift action based upon on!the!spot observations of the officer on the beat is re%uired. P. 39.
5b6 1he reasonableness of an$ particular search and seizure must be assessed in light of the particular circumstances
against the standard of whether a man of reasonable caution is warranted in believing that the action taen was
appropriate. Pp. 30!33.
5c6 1he officer here was performing a legitimate function of investigating suspicious conduct when he decided to
approach petitioner and his companions. P. 33.
5d6 An officer justified in believing that an individual whose suspicious behavior he is investigating at close range is
armed ma$, to neutralize the threat of ph$sical harm, tae necessar$ measures to determine whether that person is
carr$ing a weapon. P. 3(.
5e6 A search for weapons in the absence of probable cause to arrest must be strictl$ circumscribed b$ the e#igencies of the
situation. Pp. 3,!3;.
5f6 An officer ma$ mae an intrusion short of arrest where he has reasonable apprehension of danger before being
possessed of information justif$ing arrest. Pp. 3;!3*.
;. 1he officer's protective seizure of petitioner and his companions and the limited search which he made were
reasonable, both at their inception and as conducted. Pp. 3*!)9.
5a6 1he actions of petitioner and his companions were consistent with the officer's h$pothesis that the$ were
contemplating a da$light robber$ and were armed. P. 3+.
5b6 1he officer's search was confined to what was minimall$ necessar$ to determine whether the men were armed, and
the intrusion, which was made for the sole purpose of protecting himself and others nearb$, was confined to ascertaining
the presence of weapons. Pp. 34!)9.
*. 1he revolver seized from petitioner was properl$ admitted into evidence against him, since the search which led to its
seizure was reasonable under the .ourth Amendment. Pp. )9!)0.
Affirmed. 8)43 U.S. 0, (:
<ouis Stoes argued the cause for petitioner. "ith him on the brief was =ac D. Fa$.
&euben '. Pa$ne argued the cause for respondent. "ith him on the brief was =ohn 1. Corrigan.
/riefs of amici curiae, urging reversal, were filed b$ =ac Dreenberg, =ames '. ?abrit 777, 'ichael 'eltsner, 'elv$n Karr,
and Anthon$ D. Amsterdam for the ?AACP <egal Fefense and >ducational .und, 7nc., and b$ /ernard A. /erman,
'elvin <. "ulf, and Alan 2. <evine for the American Civil <iberties Union et al.
/riefs of amici curiae, urging affirmance, were filed b$ Solicitor Deneral Driswold, Assistant Attorne$ Deneral Ainson,
&alph S. Spritzer, /eatrice &osenberg, and 'erv$n 2amburg for the United StatesH b$ <ouis =. <efowitz, pro se, Samuel
A. 2irshowitz, .irst Assistant Attorne$ Deneral, and 'aria <. 'arcus and /renda Soloff, Assistant Attorne$s Deneral, for
the Attorne$ Deneral of ?ew GorH b$ Charles 'o$lan, =r., >velle =. Gounger, and 2arr$ "ood for the ?ational Fistrict
Attorne$s' Assn., and b$ =ames &. 1hompson for Americans for >ffective <aw >nforcement.
'&. C27>. =US17C> "A&&>? delivered the opinion of the Court.
1his case presents serious %uestions concerning the role of the .ourth Amendment in the confrontation on the street
between the citizen and the policeman investigating suspicious circumstances.
Petitioner 1err$ was convicted of carr$ing a concealed weapon and sentenced to the statutoril$ prescribed term of one to
three $ears in the penitentiar$. 0 .ollowing 8)43 U.S. 0, ,: the denial of a pretrial motion to suppress, the prosecution
introduced in evidence two revolvers and a number of bullets seized from 1err$ and a codefendant, &ichard Chilton, 3 b$
Cleveland Police Fetective 'artin 'c.adden. At the hearing on the motion to suppress this evidence, Bfficer 'c.adden
testified that while he was patrolling in plain clothes in downtown Cleveland at appro#imatel$ 3J)9 in the afternoon of
Bctober )0, 04;), his attention was attracted b$ two men, Chilton and 1err$, standing on the corner of 2uron &oad and
>uclid Avenue. 2e had never seen the two men before, and he was unable to sa$ precisel$ what first drew his e$e to them.
2owever, he testified that he had been a policeman for )4 $ears and a detective for ), and that he had been assigned to
patrol this vicinit$ of downtown Cleveland for shoplifters and picpocets for )9 $ears. 2e e#plained that he had
developed routine habits of observation over the $ears and that he would -stand and watch people or wal and watch
people at man$ intervals of the da$.- 2e addedJ -?ow, in this case when 7 looed over the$ didn't loo right to me at the
time.-
2is interest aroused, Bfficer 'c.adden too up a post of observation in the entrance to a store )99 to (99 feet 8)43 U.S.
0, ;: awa$ from the two men. -7 get more purpose to watch them when 7 seen their movements,- he testified. 2e saw one
of the men leave the other one and wal southwest on 2uron &oad, past some stores. 1he man paused for a moment and
looed in a store window, then waled on a short distance, turned around and waled bac toward the corner, pausing
once again to loo in the same store window. 2e rejoined his companion at the corner, and the two conferred briefl$.
1hen the second man went through the same series of motions, strolling down 2uron &oad, looing in the same window,
waling on a short distance, turning bac, peering in the store window again, and returning to confer with the first man
at the corner. 1he two men repeated this ritual alternatel$ between five and si# times apiece ! in all, roughl$ a dozen trips.
At one point, while the two were standing together on the corner, a third man approached them and engaged them briefl$
in conversation. 1his man then left the two others and waled west on >uclid Avenue. Chilton and 1err$ resumed their
measured pacing, peering, and conferring. After this had gone on for 09 to 03 minutes, the two men waled off together,
heading west on >uclid Avenue, following the path taen earlier b$ the third man.
/$ this time Bfficer 'c.adden had become thoroughl$ suspicious. 2e testified that after observing their elaboratel$
casual and oft!repeated reconnaissance of the store window on 2uron &oad, he suspected the two men of -casing a job, a
stic!up,- and that he considered it his dut$ as a police officer to investigate further. 2e added that he feared -the$ ma$
have a gun.- 1hus, Bfficer 'c.adden followed Chilton and 1err$ and saw them stop in front of Kucer's store to tal to
the same man who had conferred with them earlier on the street corner. Feciding that the situation was ripe for direct
action. Bfficer 'c.adden approached the three men, identified 8)43 U.S. 0, *: himself as a police officer and ased for
their names. At this point his nowledge was confined to what he had observed. 2e was not ac%uainted with an$ of the
three men b$ name or b$ sight, and he had received no information concerning them from an$ other source. "hen the
men -mumbled something- in response to his in%uiries, Bfficer 'c.adden grabbed petitioner 1err$, spun him around so
that the$ were facing the other two, with 1err$ between 'c.adden and the others, and patted down the outside of his
clothing. 7n the left breast pocet of 1err$'s overcoat Bfficer 'c.adden felt a pistol. 2e reached inside the overcoat
pocet, but was unable to remove the gun. At this point, eeping 1err$ between himself and the others, the officer
ordered all three men to enter Kucer's store. As the$ went in, he removed 1err$'s overcoat completel$, removed a .)+!
caliber revolver from the pocet and ordered all three men to face the wall with their hands raised. Bfficer 'c.adden
proceeded to pat down the outer clothing of Chilton and the third man, @atz. 2e discovered another revolver in the outer
pocet of Chilton's overcoat, but no weapons were found on @atz. 1he officer testified that he onl$ patted the men down
to see whether the$ had weapons, and that he did not put his hands beneath the outer garments of either 1err$ or Chilton
until he felt their guns. So far as appears from the record, he never placed his hands beneath @atz' outer garments.
Bfficer 'c.adden seized Chilton's gun, ased the proprietor of the store to call a police wagon, and too all three men to
the station, where Chilton and 1err$ were formall$ charged with carr$ing concealed weapons.
Bn the motion to suppress the guns the prosecution too the position that the$ had been seized following a search
incident to a lawful arrest. 1he trial court rejected this theor$, stating that it -would be stretching the facts be$ond
reasonable comprehension- to find that Bfficer 8)43 U.S. 0, +: 'c.adden had had probable cause to arrest the men
before he patted them down for weapons. 2owever, the court denied the defendants' motion on the ground that Bfficer
'c.adden, on the basis of his e#perience, -had reasonable cause to believe . . . that the defendants were conducting
themselves suspiciousl$, and some interrogation should be made of their action.- Purel$ for his own protection, the court
held, the officer had the right to pat down the outer clothing of these men, who he had reasonable cause to believe might
be armed. 1he court distinguished between an investigator$ -stop- and an arrest, and between a -fris- of the outer
clothing for weapons and a full!blown search for evidence of crime. 1he fris, it held, was essential to the proper
performance of the officer's investigator$ duties, for without it -the answer to the police officer ma$ be a bullet, and a
loaded pistol discovered during the fris is admissible.-
After the court denied their motion to suppress, Chilton and 1err$ waived jur$ trial and pleaded not guilt$. 1he court
adjudged them guilt$, and the Court of Appeals for the >ighth =udicial Fistrict, Cu$ahoga Count$, affirmed. State v.
1err$, , Bhio App. 3d 033, 30( ?. >. 3d 00( 504;;6. 1he Supreme Court of Bhio dismissed their appeal on the ground that
no -substantial constitutional %uestion- was involved. "e granted certiorari, )+* U.S. 434 504;*6, to determine whether
the admission of the revolvers in evidence violated petitioner's rights under the .ourth Amendment, made applicable to
the States b$ the .ourteenth. 'app v. Bhio, );* U.S. ;() 504;06. "e affirm the conviction.
I.
1he .ourth Amendment provides that -the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated . . . .- 1his inestimable right of 8)43 U.S. 0, 4: personal
securit$ belongs as much to the citizen on the streets of our cities as to the homeowner closeted in his stud$ to dispose of
his secret affairs. .or, as this Court has alwa$s recognized,
-?o right is held more sacred, or is more carefull$ guarded, b$ the common law, than the right of ever$ individual to the
possession and control of his own person, free from all restraint or interference of others, unless b$ clear and
un%uestionable authorit$ of law.- Union Pac. &. Co. v. /otsford, 0(0 U.S. 3,9, 3,0 50+406.
"e have recentl$ held that -the .ourth Amendment protects people, not places,- @atz v. United States,)+4 U.S. )(*,
),0 504;*6, and wherever an individual ma$ harbor a reasonable -e#pectation of privac$,- id., at );0 5'&. =US17C>
2A&<A?, concurring6, he is entitled to be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion. Bf course, the specific content
and incidents of this right must be shaped b$ the conte#t in which it is asserted. .or -what the Constitution forbids is not
all searches and seizures, but unreasonable searches and seizures.- >lins v. United States, );( U.S. 39;, 333 504;96.
Un%uestionabl$ petitioner was entitled to the protection of the .ourth Amendment as he waled down the street in
Cleveland. /ec v. Bhio, )*4 U.S. +4 504;(6H &ios v. United States, );( U.S. 3,) 504;96H 2enr$ v. United States, );0 U.S.
4+ 504,46H United States v. Fi &e, ))3 U.S. ,+0 504(+6H Carroll v. United States, 3;* U.S. 0)3 5043,6. 1he %uestion is
whether in all the circumstances of this on!the!street encounter, his right to personal securit$ was violated b$ an
unreasonable search and seizure.
"e would be less than candid if we did not acnowledge that this %uestion thrusts to the fore difficult and troublesome
issues regarding a sensitive area of police activit$ ! issues which have never before been s%uarel$ 8)43 U.S. 0,
09: presented to this Court. &eflective of the tensions involved are the practical and constitutional arguments pressed
with great vigor on both sides of the public debate over the power of the police to -stop and fris- ! as it is sometimes
euphemisticall$ termed ! suspicious persons.
Bn the one hand, it is fre%uentl$ argued that in dealing with the rapidl$ unfolding and often dangerous situations on cit$
streets the police are in need of an escalating set of fle#ible responses, graduated in relation to the amount of information
the$ possess. .or this purpose it is urged that distinctions should be made between a -stop- and an -arrest- 5or a -seizure-
of a person6, and between a -fris- and a -search.-) 1hus, it is argued, the police should be allowed to -stop- a person and
detain him briefl$ for %uestioning upon suspicion that he ma$ be connected with criminal activit$. Upon suspicion that
the person ma$ be armed, the police should have the power to -fris- him for weapons. 7f the -stop- and the -fris- give
rise to probable cause to believe that the suspect has committed a crime, then the police should be empowered to mae a
formal -arrest,- and a full incident -search- of the person. 1his scheme is justified in part upon the notion that a -stop-
and a -fris- amount to a mere -minor inconvenience and pett$ indignit$,- ( which can properl$ be imposed upon
the 8)43 U.S. 0, 00: citizen in the interest of effective law enforcement on the basis of a police officer's suspicion. ,
Bn the other side the argument is made that the authorit$ of the police must be strictl$ circumscribed b$ the law of arrest
and search as it has developed to date in the traditional jurisprudence of the .ourth Amendment. ; 7t is contended with
some force that there is not ! and cannot be ! a variet$ of police activit$ which does not depend solel$ upon the voluntar$
cooperation of the citizen and $et which stops short of an arrest based upon probable cause to mae such an arrest. 1he
heart of the .ourth Amendment, the argument runs, is a severe re%uirement of specific justification for an$ intrusion
upon protected personal securit$, coupled with a highl$ developed s$stem of judicial controls to enforce upon the agents
of the State the commands of the Constitution. Ac%uiescence b$ the courts in the compulsion inherent 8)43 U.S. 0, 03: in
the field interrogation practices at issue here, it is urged, would constitute an abdication of judicial control over, and
indeed an encouragement of, substantial interference with libert$ and personal securit$ b$ police officers whose
judgment is necessaril$ colored b$ their primar$ involvement in -the often competitive enterprise of ferreting out crime.-
=ohnson v. United States, ))) U.S. 09, 0( 504(+6. 1his, it is argued, can onl$ serve to e#acerbate police!communit$
tensions in the crowded centers of our ?ation's cities. *
7n this conte#t we approach the issues in this case mindful of the limitations of the judicial function in controlling the
m$riad dail$ situations in which policemen and citizens confront each other on the street. 1he State has characterized the
issue here as -the right of a police officer . . . to mae an on!the!street stop, interrogate and pat down for weapons 5nown
in street vernacular as Istop and fris'6.- +/ut this is onl$ partl$ accurate. .or the issue is not the abstract propriet$ of the
police conduct, but the admissibilit$ against petitioner of the evidence uncovered b$ the search and seizure. >ver since its
inception, the rule e#cluding evidence seized in violation of the .ourth Amendment has been recognized as a principal
mode of discouraging lawless police conduct. See "ees v. United States, 3)3 U.S. )+), )40 !)4) 5040(6. 1hus its major
thrust is a deterrent one, see <inletter v. "aler, )+0 U.S. ;0+, ;34 !;), 504;,6, and e#perience has taught that it is the
onl$ effective deterrent to police misconduct in the criminal conte#t, and that without it the constitutional guarantee
against unreasonable searches and seizures would be a mere -form of words.- 'app v. Bhio, );* U.S. ;(), ;,,504;06.
1he rule also serves another vital function ! -the imperative of judicial integrit$.- >lins 8)43 U.S. 0, 0): v. United
States, );( U.S. 39;, 333 504;96. Courts which sit under our Constitution cannot and will not be made part$ to lawless
invasions of the constitutional rights of citizens b$ permitting unhindered governmental use of the fruits of such
invasions. 1hus in our s$stem evidentiar$ rulings provide the conte#t in which the judicial process of inclusion and
e#clusion approves some conduct as comporting with constitutional guarantees and disapproves other actions b$ state
agents. A ruling admitting evidence in a criminal trial, we recognize, has the necessar$ effect of legitimizing the conduct
which produced the evidence, while an application of the e#clusionar$ rule withholds the constitutional imprimatur.
1he e#clusionar$ rule has its limitations, however, as a tool of judicial control. 7t cannot properl$ be invoed to e#clude
the products of legitimate police investigative techni%ues on the ground that much conduct which is closel$ similar
involves unwarranted intrusions upon constitutional protections. 'oreover, in some conte#ts the rule is ineffective as a
deterrent. Street encounters between citizens and police officers are incredibl$ rich in diversit$. 1he$ range from wholl$
friendl$ e#changes of pleasantries or mutuall$ useful information to hostile confrontations of armed men involving
arrests, or injuries, or loss of life. 'oreover, hostile confrontations are not all of a piece. Some of them begin in a friendl$
enough manner, onl$ to tae a different turn upon the injection of some une#pected element into the conversation.
>ncounters are initiated b$ the police for a wide variet$ of purposes, some of which are wholl$ unrelated to a desire to
prosecute for crime. 4 Foubtless some 8)43 U.S. 0, 0(: police -field interrogation- conduct violates the .ourth
Amendment. /ut a stern refusal b$ this Court to condone such activit$ does not necessaril$ render it responsive to the
e#clusionar$ rule. &egardless of how effective the rule ma$ be where obtaining convictions is an important objective of
the police, 09 it is powerless to deter invasions of constitutionall$ guaranteed rights where the police either have no
interest in prosecuting or are willing to forgo successful prosecution in the interest of serving some other goal.
Proper adjudication of cases in which the e#clusionar$ rule is invoed demands a constant awareness of these limitations.
1he wholesale harassment b$ certain elements of the police communit$, of which minorit$ groups, particularl$ ?egroes,
fre%uentl$ complain, 00 will not be 8)43 U.S. 0, 0,: stopped b$ the e#clusion of an$ evidence from an$ criminal trial. Get
a rigid and unthining application of the e#clusionar$ rule, in futile protest against practices which it can never be used
effectivel$ to control, ma$ e#act a high toll in human injur$ and frustration of efforts to prevent crime. ?o judicial
opinion can comprehend the protean variet$ of the street encounter, and we can onl$ judge the facts of the case before us.
?othing we sa$ toda$ is to be taen as indicating approval of police conduct outside the legitimate investigative sphere.
Under our decision, courts still retain their traditional responsibilit$ to guard against police conduct which is overbearing
or harassing, or which trenches upon personal securit$ without the objective evidentiar$ justification which the
Constitution re%uires. "hen such conduct is identified, it must be condemned b$ the judiciar$ and its fruits must be
e#cluded from evidence in criminal trials. And, of course, our approval of legitimate and restrained investigative conduct
undertaen on the basis of ample factual justification should in no wa$ discourage the emplo$ment of other remedies
than the e#clusionar$ rule to curtail abuses for which that sanction ma$ prove inappropriate.
2aving thus roughl$ setched the perimeters of the constitutional debate over the limits on police investigative conduct
in general and the bacground against which this case presents itself, we turn our attention to the %uite narrow %uestion
posed b$ the facts before usJ whether it is alwa$s unreasonable for a policeman to seize a person and subject him to a
limited search for weapons unless there is probable cause for an arrest. 8)43 U.S. 0, 0;: Diven the narrowness of this
%uestion, we have no occasion to canvass in detail the constitutional limitations upon the scope of a policeman's power
when he confronts a citizen without probable cause to arrest him.
II.
Bur first tas is to establish at what point in this encounter the .ourth Amendment becomes relevant. 1hat is, we must
decide whether and when Bfficer 'c.adden -seized- 1err$ and whether and when he conducted a -search.- 1here is
some suggestion in the use of such terms as -stop- and -fris- that such police conduct is outside the purview of the
.ourth Amendment because neither action rises to the level of a -search- or -seizure- within the meaning of the
Constitution. 03 "e emphaticall$ reject this notion. 7t is %uite plain that the .ourth Amendment governs -seizures- of the
person which do not eventuate in a trip to the station house and prosecution for crime ! -arrests- in traditional
terminolog$. 7t must be recognized that whenever a police officer accosts an individual and restrains his freedom to wal
awa$, he has -seized- that person. And it is nothing less than sheer torture of the >nglish language to suggest that a
careful e#ploration of the outer surfaces of a person's clothing all over his or her bod$ in an attempt to find weapons is
not a -search.- 'oreover, it is simpl$ fantastic to urge that such a procedure 8)43 U.S. 0, 0*: performed in public b$ a
policeman while the citizen stands helpless, perhaps facing a wall with his hands raised, is a -pett$ indignit$.- 0) 7t is a
serious intrusion upon the sanctit$ of the person, which ma$ inflict great indignit$ and arouse strong resentment, and it
is not to be undertaen lightl$. 0(
1he danger in the logic which proceeds upon distinctions between a -stop- and an -arrest,- or -seizure- of the person, and
between a -fris- and a -search- is two!fold. 7t sees to isolate from constitutional scrutin$ the initial stages of the contact
between the policeman and the citizen. And b$ suggesting a rigid all!or!nothing model of justification and regulation
under the Amendment, it obscures the utilit$ of limitations upon the scope, as well as the initiation, of police action as a
means of constitutional regulation. 0, 1his Court has held in 8)43 U.S. 0, 0+: the past that a search which is reasonable
at its inception ma$ violate the .ourth Amendment b$ virtue of its intolerable intensit$ and scope. @remen v. United
States, ),) U.S. )(; 504,*6H Do!/art 7mporting Co. v. 8)43 U.S. 0, 04: United States, 3+3 U.S. )((, ),; !),+ 504)06H see
United States v. Fi &e, ))3 U.S. ,+0, ,+; !,+* 504(+6. 1he scope of the search must be -strictl$ tied to and justified b$-
the circumstances which rendered its initiation permissible. "arden v. 2a$den, )+* U.S. 34(, )09 504;*6 5'&. =US17C>
.B&1AS, concurring6H see, e. g., Preston v. United States, )*; U.S. );(, );* !);+ 504;(6H Agnello v. United States, 3;4
U.S. 39, )9 !)0 5043,6.
1he distinctions of classical -stop!and!fris- theor$ thus serve to divert attention from the central in%uir$ under the
.ourth Amendment ! the reasonableness in all the circumstances of the particular governmental invasion of a citizen's
personal securit$. -Search- and -seizure- are not talismans. "e therefore reject the notions that the .ourth Amendment
does not come into pla$ at all as a limitation upon police conduct if the officers stop short of something called a -technical
arrest- or a -full!blown search.-
7n this case there can be no %uestion, then, that Bfficer 'c.adden -seized- petitioner and subjected him to a -search-
when he too hold of him and patted down the outer surfaces of his clothing. "e must decide whether at that point it was
reasonable for Bfficer 'c.adden to have interfered with petitioner's personal securit$ as he did. 0; And in determining
whether the seizure and search were -unreasonable- our in%uir$ 8)43 U.S. 0, 39: is a dual one ! whether the officer's
action was justified at its inception, and whether it was reasonabl$ related in scope to the circumstances which justified
the interference in the first place.
III.
7f this case involved police conduct subject to the "arrant Clause of the .ourth Amendment, we would have to ascertain
whether -probable cause- e#isted to justif$ the search and seizure which too place. 2owever, that is not the case. "e do
not retreat from our holdings that the police must, whenever practicable, obtain advance judicial approval of searches
and seizures through the warrant procedure, see, e. g., @atz v. United States, )+4 U.S. )(* 504;*6H /ec v. Bhio, )*4 U.S.
+4, 4; 504;(6H Chapman v. United States, );, U.S. ;09 504;06, or that in most instances failure to compl$ with the
warrant re%uirement can onl$ be e#cused b$ e#igent circumstances, see, e. g., "arden v. 2a$den, )+* U.S. 34(504;*6
5hot pursuit6H cf. Preston v. United States, )*; U.S. );(, );* !);+ 504;(6. /ut we deal here with an entire rubric of police
conduct ! necessaril$ swift action predicated upon the on!the!spot observations of the officer on the beat ! which
historicall$ has not been, and as a practical matter could not be, subjected to the warrant procedure. 7nstead, the conduct
involved in this case must be tested b$ the .ourth Amendment's general proscription against unreasonable searches and
seizures. 0*
?onetheless, the notions which underlie both the warrant procedure and the re%uirement of probable cause remain full$
relevant in this conte#t. 7n order to assess the reasonableness of Bfficer 'c.adden's conduct as a general proposition, it
is necessar$ -first to focus upon 8)43 U.S. 0, 30: the governmental interest which allegedl$ justifies official intrusion
upon the constitutionall$ protected interests of the private citizen,- for there is -no read$ test for determining
reasonableness other than b$ balancing the need to search 8or seize: against the invasion which the search 8or seizure:
entails.- Camara v. 'unicipal Court, )+* U.S. ,3), ,)( !,),, ,);!,)* 504;*6. And in justif$ing the particular intrusion
the police officer must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which, taen together with rational inferences
from those facts, reasonabl$ warrant that intrusion. 0+ 1he scheme of the .ourth Amendment becomes meaningful onl$
when it is assured that at some point the conduct of those charged with enforcing the laws can be subjected to the more
detached, neutral scrutin$ of a judge who must evaluate the reasonableness of a particular search or seizure in light of the
particular circumstances. 04 And in maing that assessment it is imperative that the facts be judged against an objective
standardJ would the facts 8)43 U.S. 0, 33: available to the officer at the moment of the seizure or the search -warrant a
man of reasonable caution in the belief- that the action taen was appropriateL Cf. Carroll v. United States, 3;* U.S.
0)3 5043,6H /ec v. Bhio, )*4 U.S. +4, 4; !4* 504;(6.39 An$thing less would invite intrusions upon constitutionall$
guaranteed rights based on nothing more substantial than inarticulate hunches, a result this Court has consistentl$
refused to sanction. See, e. g., /ec v. Bhio, supraH &ios v. United States, );( U.S. 3,) 504;96H 2enr$ v. United States, );0
U.S. 4+ 504,46. And simple -Igood faith on the part of the arresting officer is not enough.' . . . 7f subjective good faith
alone were the test, the protections of the .ourth Amendment would evaporate, and the people would be Isecure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects,' onl$ in the discretion of the police.- /ec v. Bhio, supra, at 4*.
Appl$ing these principles to this case, we consider first the nature and e#tent of the governmental interests involved. Bne
general interest is of course that of effective crime prevention and detectionH it is this interest which underlies the
recognition that a police officer ma$ in appropriate circumstances and in an appropriate manner approach a person for
purposes of investigating possibl$ criminal behavior even though there is no probable cause to mae an arrest. 7t was this
legitimate investigative function Bfficer 'c.adden was discharging when he decided to approach petitioner and his
companions. 2e had observed 1err$, Chilton, and @atz go through a series of acts, each of them perhaps innocent in
itself, but which taen together warranted further investigation. 1here is nothing unusual in two men standing together
on a street corner, perhaps waiting for someone. ?or is there an$thing suspicious about people 8)43 U.S. 0, 3): in such
circumstances strolling up and down the street, singl$ or in pairs. Store windows, moreover, are made to be looed in.
/ut the stor$ in %uite different where, as here, two men hover about a street corner for an e#tended period of time, at the
end of which it becomes apparent that the$ are not waiting for an$one or an$thingH where these men pace alternatel$
along an identical route, pausing to stare in the same store window roughl$ 3( timesH where each completion of this route
is followed immediatel$ b$ a conference between the two men on the cornerH where the$ are joined in one of these
conferences b$ a third man who leaves swiftl$H and where the two men finall$ follow the third and rejoin him a couple of
blocs awa$. 7t would have been poor police wor indeed for an officer of )9 $ears' e#perience in the detection of thiever$
from stores in this same neighborhood to have failed to investigate this behavior further.
1he cru# of this case, however, is not the propriet$ of Bfficer 'c.adden's taing steps to investigate petitioner's
suspicious behavior, but rather, whether there was justification for 'c.adden's invasion of 1err$'s personal securit$ b$
searching him for weapons in the course of that investigation. "e are now concerned with more than the governmental
interest in investigating crimeH in addition, there is the more immediate interest of the police officer in taing steps to
assure himself that the person with whom he is dealing is not armed with a weapon that could une#pectedl$ and fatall$
be used against him. Certainl$ it would be unreasonable to re%uire that police officers tae unnecessar$ riss in the
performance of their duties. American criminals have a long tradition of armed violence, and ever$ $ear in this countr$
man$ law enforcement officers are illed in the line of dut$, and thousands more are wounded. 8)43 U.S. 0, 3(: Airtuall$
all of these deaths and a substantial portion of the injuries are inflicted with guns and nives. 30
7n view of these facts, we cannot blind ourselves to the need for law enforcement officers to protect themselves and other
prospective victims of violence in situations where the$ ma$ lac probable cause for an arrest. "hen an officer is justified
in believing that the individual whose suspicious behavior he is investigating at close range is armed and presentl$
dangerous to the officer or to others, it would appear to be clearl$ unreasonable to den$ the officer the power to tae
necessar$ measures to determine whether the person is in fact carr$ing a weapon and to neutralize the threat of ph$sical
harm.
"e must still consider, however, the nature and %ualit$ of the intrusion on individual rights which must be accepted if
police officers are to be conceded the right to search for weapons in situations where probable cause to arrest for crime is
lacing. >ven a limited search of the outer clothing for weapons constitutes a severe, 8)43 U.S. 0, 3,: though brief,
intrusion upon cherished personal securit$, and it must surel$ be an anno$ing, frightening, and perhaps humiliating
e#perience. Petitioner contends that such an intrusion is permissible onl$ incident to a lawful arrest, either for a crime
involving the possession of weapons or for a crime the commission of which led the officer to investigate in the first place.
2owever, this argument must be closel$ e#amined.
Petitioner does not argue that a police officer should refrain from maing an$ investigation of suspicious circumstances
until such time as he has probable cause to mae an arrestH nor does he den$ that police officers in properl$ discharging
their investigative function ma$ find themselves confronting persons who might well be armed and dangerous. 'oreover,
he does not sa$ that an officer is alwa$s unjustified in searching a suspect to discover weapons. &ather, he sa$s it is
unreasonable for the policeman to tae that step until such time as the situation evolves to a point where there is
probable cause to mae an arrest. "hen that point has been reached, petitioner would concede the officer's right to
conduct a search of the suspect for weapons, fruits or instrumentalities of the crime, or -mere- evidence, incident to the
arrest.
1here are two weanesses in this line of reasoning, however. .irst, it fails to tae account of traditional limitations upon
the scope of searches, and thus recognizes no distinction in purpose, character, and e#tent between a search incident to
an arrest and a limited search for weapons. 1he former, although justified in part b$ the acnowledged necessit$ to
protect the arresting officer from assault with a concealed weapon, Preston v. United States, )*; U.S. );(, );* 504;(6, is
also justified on other grounds, ibid., and can therefore involve a relativel$ e#tensive e#ploration of the person. A search
for weapons in the absence of probable cause to 8)43 U.S. 0, 3;: arrest, however, must, lie an$ other search, be strictl$
circumscribed b$ the e#igencies which justif$ its initiation. "arden v. 2a$den, )+* U.S. 34(, )09 504;*6 5'&. =US17C>
.B&1AS, concurring6. 1hus it must be limited to that which is necessar$ for the discover$ of weapons which might be
used to harm the officer or others nearb$, and ma$ realisticall$ be characterized as something less than a -full- search,
even though it remains a serious intrusion.
A second, and related, objection to petitioner's argument is that it assumes that the law of arrest has alread$ wored out
the balance between the particular interests involved here ! the neutralization of danger to the policeman in the
investigative circumstance and the sanctit$ of the individual. /ut this is not so. An arrest is a wholl$ different ind of
intrusion upon individual freedom from a limited search for weapons, and the interests each is designed to serve are
liewise %uite different. An arrest is the initial stage of a criminal prosecution. 7t is intended to vindicate societ$'s interest
in having its laws obe$ed, and it is inevitabl$ accompanied b$ future interference with the individual's freedom of
movement, whether or not trial or conviction ultimatel$ follows. 33 1he protective search for weapons, on the other
hand, constitutes a brief, though far from inconsiderable, intrusion upon the sanctit$ of the person. 7t does not follow
that because an officer ma$ lawfull$ arrest a person onl$ when he is apprised of facts sufficient to warrant a belief that the
person has committed or is committing a crime, the officer is e%uall$ unjustified, absent that ind of evidence, in maing
an$ intrusions short of an arrest. 'oreover, a perfectl$ reasonable apprehension of danger ma$ arise long before the
officer is possessed of ade%uate information to justif$ taing a person into custod$ for 8)43 U.S. 0, 3*: the purpose of
prosecuting him for a crime. Petitioner's reliance on cases which have wored out standards of reasonableness with
regard to -seizures- constituting arrests and searches incident thereto is thus misplaced. 7t assumes that the interests
sought to be vindicated and the invasions of personal securit$ ma$ be e%uated in the two cases, and thereb$ ignores a
vital aspect of the anal$sis of the reasonableness of particular t$pes of conduct under the .ourth Amendment. See
Camara v. 'unicipal Court, supra.
Bur evaluation of the proper balance that has to be struc in this t$pe of case leads us to conclude that there must be a
narrowl$ drawn authorit$ to permit a reasonable search for weapons for the protection of the police officer, where he has
reason to believe that he is dealing with an armed and dangerous individual, regardless of whether he has probable cause
to arrest the individual for a crime. 1he officer need not be absolutel$ certain that the individual is armedH the issue is
whether a reasonabl$ prudent man in the circumstances would be warranted in the belief that his safet$ or that of others
was in danger. Cf. /ec v. Bhio, )*4 U.S. +4, 40 504;(6H /rinegar v. United States, ))+ U.S. 0;9, 0*( !0*; 504(46H Stace$ v.
>mer$, 4* U.S. ;(3, ;(, 50+*+6. 3) And in determining whether the officer acted reasonabl$ in such circumstances, due
weight must be given, not to his inchoate and unparticularized suspicion or -hunch,- but to the specific reasonable
inferences which he is entitled to draw from the facts in light of his e#perience. Cf. /rinegar v. United States supra.
I3.
"e must now e#amine the conduct of Bfficer 'c.adden in this case to determine whether his search and seizure of
petitioner were reasonable, both at their inception 8)43 U.S. 0, 3+: and as conducted. 2e had observed 1err$, together
with Chilton and another man, acting in a manner he too to be preface to a -stic!up.- "e thin on the facts and
circumstances Bfficer 'c.adden detailed before the trial judge a reasonabl$ prudent man would have been warranted in
believing petitioner was armed and thus presented a threat to the officer's safet$ while he was investigating his suspicious
behavior. 1he actions of 1err$ and Chilton were consistent with 'c.adden's h$pothesis that these men were
contemplating a da$light robber$ ! which, it is reasonable to assume, would be liel$ to involve the use of weapons ! and
nothing in their conduct from the time he first noticed them until the time he confronted them and identified himself as a
police officer gave him sufficient reason to negate that h$pothesis. Although the trio had departed the original scene,
there was nothing to indicate abandonment of an intent to commit a robber$ at some point. 1hus, when Bfficer
'c.adden approached the three men gathered before the displa$ window at Kucer's store he had observed enough to
mae it %uite reasonable to fear that the$ were armedH and nothing in their response to his hailing them, identif$ing
himself as a police officer, and asing their names served to dispel that reasonable belief. "e cannot sa$ his decision at
that point to seize 1err$ and pat his clothing for weapons was the product of a volatile or inventive imagination, or was
undertaen simpl$ as an act of harassmentH the record evidences the tempered act of a policeman who in the course of an
investigation had to mae a %uic decision as to how to protect himself and others from possible danger, and too limited
steps to do so.
1he manner in which the seizure and search were conducted is, of course, as vital a part of the in%uir$ as whether the$
were warranted at all. 1he .ourth Amendment proceeds as much b$ limitations upon the 8)43 U.S. 0, 34: scope of
governmental action as b$ imposing preconditions upon its initiation. Compare @atz v. United States, )+4 U.S. )(*, ),( !
),; 504;*6. 1he entire deterrent purpose of the rule e#cluding evidence seized in violation of the .ourth Amendment
rests on the assumption that -limitations upon the fruit to be gathered tend to limit the %uest itself.- United States v.
Poller, () ..3d 400, 40( 5C. A. 3d Cir. 04)96H see, e. g., <inletter v. "aler, )+0 U.S. ;0+, ;34 !;), 504;,6H 'app v.
Bhio, );* U.S. ;() 504;06H >lins v. United States, );( U.S. 39;, 30; !330 504;96. 1hus, evidence ma$ not be introduced
if it was discovered b$ means of a seizure and search which were not reasonabl$ related in scope to the justification for
their initiation. "arden v. 2a$den, )+* U.S. 34(, )09 504;*6 5'&. =US17C> .B&1AS, concurring6.
"e need not develop at length in this case, however, the limitations which the .ourth Amendment places upon a
protective seizure and search for weapons. 1hese limitations will have to be developed in the concrete factual
circumstances of individual cases. See Sibron v. ?ew Gor, post, p. (9, decided toda$. Suffice it to note that such a search,
unlie a search without a warrant incident to a lawful arrest, is not justified b$ an$ need to prevent the disappearance or
destruction of evidence of crime. See Preston v. United States, )*; U.S. );(, );* 504;(6. 1he sole justification of the
search in the present situation is the protection of the police officer and others nearb$, and it must therefore be confined
in scope to an intrusion reasonabl$ designed to discover guns, nives, clubs, or other hidden instruments for the assault
of the police officer.
1he scope of the search in this case presents no serious problem in light of these standards. Bfficer 'c.adden patted
down the outer clothing of petitioner and his two companions. 2e did not place his hands in their pocets or under the
outer surface of their garments until he had 8)43 U.S. 0, )9: felt weapons, and then he merel$ reached for and removed
the guns. 2e never did invade @atz' person be$ond the outer surfaces of his clothes, since he discovered nothing in his
pat!down which might have been a weapon. Bfficer 'c.adden confined his search strictl$ to what was minimall$
necessar$ to learn whether the men were armed and to disarm them once he discovered the weapons. 2e did not conduct
a general e#plorator$ search for whatever evidence of criminal activit$ he might find.
3.
"e conclude that the revolver seized from 1err$ was properl$ admitted in evidence against him. At the time he seized
petitioner and searched him for weapons, Bfficer 'c.adden had reasonable grounds to believe that petitioner was armed
and dangerous, and it was necessar$ for the protection of himself and others to tae swift measures to discover the true
facts and neutralize the threat of harm if it materialized. 1he policeman carefull$ restricted his search to what was
appropriate to the discover$ of the particular items which he sought. >ach case of this sort will, of course, have to be
decided on its own facts. "e merel$ hold toda$ that where a police officer observes unusual conduct which leads him
reasonabl$ to conclude in light of his e#perience that criminal activit$ ma$ be afoot and that the persons with whom he is
dealing ma$ be armed and presentl$ dangerous, where in the course of investigating this behavior he identifies himself as
a policeman and maes reasonable in%uiries, and where nothing in the initial stages of the encounter serves to dispel his
reasonable fear for his own or others' safet$, he is entitled for the protection of himself and others in the area to conduct a
carefull$ limited search of the outer clothing of such persons in an attempt to discover weapons which might be used to
assault him. 8)43 U.S. 0, )0: Such a search is a reasonable search under the .ourth Amendment, and an$ weapons seized
ma$ properl$ be introduced in evidence against the person from whom the$ were taen.
Affirmed.
-R. =US17C> /<AC@ concurs in the judgment and the opinion e#cept where the opinion %uotes from and relies upon
this Court's opinion in @atz v. United States and the concurring opinion in "arden v. 2a$den.