WARRANTLESS ARREST (IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO & HOT PURSUIT)

a.) when justified:

G.R. No. 123123

August 19, 1999

EDWIN CADUA vs.COURT OF APPEALS

This case stemmed from a charge for Illegal Possession of Firearms. Assistant City Prosecutor accuses
EDWIN CADUA Y QUINTAYO of (sic) violation of PD 1866 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and
Ammunitions),
At said address, police officers found both complainants who stated that the alleged holduppers had just
fled. PO3 Burdeos asked where the robbery took place. Complainants replied that they were held up by
two (2) men at the corner of Archer and Regalado Streets, near their house. The police officers also
asked in what direction the alleged holduppers fled and what they were wearing. Then, the police officers
requested the complainants to board the patrol unit in order to facilitate the search for the two (2) men. 8
As they were patrolling around the area, complainants informed the police officers that one of the
suspects was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt while the other was dressed in a black top and black pants
The police officers then noticed two (2) men walking alongside the street and as the officers slowed down
the mobile unit to get a closer look, the complainants identified the men as the alleged holduppers, one of
which is the petitioner in this case. The police officers slowed down to a stop, alighted from the vehicle,
and called out to the suspects. As Burdeos was approaching the suspects, he noticed that petitioner
Cadua was about to pull something which was tucked at the right side of his waist. Burdeos promptly
pointed his firearm at Cadua and warned him not to move. He then frisked Cadua and found in his
possession a .38 caliber "paltik" revolver. PO3 Reynoso Bacnat the apprehended Cadua's companion,
who was later identified as Joselito Aguilar. In Aguilar's possession was found a fan knife. 9
Petitioner seasonably appealed to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the decision of the trial court.
ISSUE: W/ N the warrantless arrest is VALID?
W/N THE "PALTIK" WAS RECOVERED IN AN INCIDENTAL SEARCH DURING A
WARRANTLESS
ARREST MADE BY THE POLICE OFFICERS IS ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE?
RULING: YES.
The SC affirmed the ruling of CA that the warrantless arrest of petitioner was based on
probable cause and that the police officers had personal knowledge of the fact which led to his
arrest. The subsequent search was therefore an incident to the arrest, making the firearm found in
his possession admissible in evidence. Moreover, the CA stated that the positive declaration of
prosecution witness Joselito Burdeos, that the .38 "paltik" revolver was found in petitioner's
possession, already proved one of the essential elements of the crime of Illegal Possession of
Firearms.15

Considering the circumstances in this case, we find that there was sufficient reason to justify a
warrantless arrest of petitioner for illegal possession of firearms. Section 5 of Rule 113 of the Rules of
Court, provides that:
Sec. 5. Arrest without warrant; when lawful. A peace officer or a private person may, without a
warrant, arrest a person:
(a) When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is
attempting to commit an offense;
(b) When an offense has in fact just been committed, and he has personal knowledge of facts
indicating that the person to be arrested has committed it; and
(c) When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or
place where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is pending, or has
escaped while being transferred from one confinement to another.
In cases falling under paragraph (a) and (b) hereof, the person arrested without a warrant shall be
forthwith delivered to the nearest police station or jail, and he shall be proceeded against in
accordance with Rule 112, Section 7.
It has been ruled that "personal knowledge of facts", in arrests without warrant must be
based upon probable cause, which means an actual belief or reasonable grounds of
suspicion. . . . Peace officers may pursue and arrest without warrant any person found in
suspicious places or under suspicious circumstances reasonably tending to show that
such person has committed, or is about to commit, any crime or breach of the peace.
Probable cause for an arrest without warrant is such a reasonable ground of suspicion
supported by circumstances sufficiently strong in themselves as to warrant a reasonable
man in believing the accused to be guilty.
Given the circumstances in this case, we are constrained to affirm the finding below that the warrantless
arrest of petitioner is lawful. We also agree that the incidental search and subsequent seizure of the
unlicensed firearm in question is likewise lawful and valid pursuant to Section 12, Rule 126 of the Rules of
Court, to wit:
Sec. 12. Search incident to lawful arrest. A person lawfully arrested may be searched for
dangerous weapons or anything which may be used as proof of the commission of an offense,
without a search warrant.