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People vs Frivaldo Besmonte, et al

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. FRIVALDO BESMONTE y LORENO and SONNY APUYAN y MORIN, accused-appellants.

G.R. Nos. 137278-79 | 2003-02-17

D E C I S I O N

QUISUMBING, J.:

On appeal is the consolidated judgment[1] of the Regional Trial Court of Sorsogon, Sorsogon, Branch 52, dated September 7, 1998, in Criminal Cases Nos. 95-3918-19, finding herein appellants Frivaldo Besmonte y Loreno and Sonny Apuyan y Morin guilty of rape and sentencing them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.

The young victim in these cases, Melanie A. Gozmo,[2] is related to the appellants. Apuyan is the brother of her mother, while Besmonte is the second husband of Melanie's maternal grandmother. She was staying at the house of the appellant Apuyan, where appellant Besmonte likewise resided, at...