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Taopa vs. People

AMADO TAOPA, Petitioner, versus PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

G.R. No. 184098 | 2008-11-25

R E S O L U T I O N


CORONA, J.:

On April 2, 1996, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Virac, Catanduanes seized a truck loaded with illegally-cut lumber and arrested its driver, Placido Cuison. The lumber was covered with bundles of abaca fiber to prevent detection. On investigation, Cuison pointed to petitioner Amado Taopa and a certain Rufino Ogalesco as the owners of the seized lumber.

Taopa, Ogalesco and Cuison were thereafter charged with violating Section 68 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 705,[1] as amended, in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Virac, Catanduanes. The information against them read:

That on or about...