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PEOPLE vs Marcelino, Andoy, Debaguio, et al

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. REGINO (Ehen) MARCELINO, NORBERTO (Nober) MARCELINO, MELQUIADES (Merding) MARCELINO, JUDITO MARCELINO, CONRADO (Adoc) ANDOY, GERON DEBAGUIO, and SILVESTRE (Beting) DEBAGUIO, accused. *** REGINO MARCELINO, NORBERTO MARCELINO, MELQUIADES MARCELINO, JUDITO MARCELINO and SILVESTRE DEBAGUIO, accused-appellants.

G.R. No. 126269 | 1999-10-01

D E C I S I O N


DAVIDE, JR., C.J.:

Once again, the Court is called upon to choose between the conflicting testimonies of witnesses for the State and for the defense. At stake is justice itself, screaming from the grave of an innocent man mercilessly and brutally murdered while performing an official duty. The case does not call for Solomonic wisdom, but due process requires that the parties be heard on every possible point of controversy, especially the accused, who have reached the end of the road and have this one last opportunity to profess their innocence. The State's evidence established the following factual scenario.

In the...