PEOPLE vs. PEREZ, G.R. No.

L-856
Cuartero, Charmaine E.

FACTS:
Susano Perez was accused of committing treason when he allegedly recruited,
apprehended, and seized several women against their will for the purpose of satisfying
the immoral and sexual desires of certain Japanese officers. The women who filed their
complaints claimed to have been raped either by the Japanese officers, by Perez, or
both.

ISSUE:
Whether Susano Perez is liable for treason

RULING:
No, Susano Perez is not liable for treason. Article 114 provides that one of the elements
of treason is that the offender, through overt acts, adheres to the enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. His acts of taking these women against their will may have been overt,
but these acts which led to sexual relations between the women and the Japanese
cannot be presumed to have directly strengthened the enemies’ war efforts, nor weaken
Perez’s country’s defense. He is, however, is guilty of the four separate crimes of rape
alleged in the information.