Back

Taopa vs People

Amado Taopa, Petitioner vs People of the Philippines, Respondent Present: PUNO, C.J., Chairperson, CARPIO, CORONA, AZCUNA and TINGA, JJ.*

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

 FIRST DIVISION

 
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...