13. People Vs. Dasig.docx

Valenton, Francis Angelo T.

Criminal Law 2

1S People vs. Dasig (G.R. No. 100231)

Facts: The plaintiff is the People of the Philippines. The accused-appellant are Rodrigo Dasig, Edwin Nunez, etc. In the case at bar, Pfc. Manatad and 2 others were tasked to assist in manning the traffic at Briones and Bonifacio Streets. Hours later, Pfc. Catamora noticed that one person is giving instructions to two of the men to approach Pfc. Manatad. Pfc. Catamora then followed the two, but sensing that they were being followed, they immediately proceeded to the middle of the road and engaged Pfc. Catamora to a gun battle. Later on the latter saw Pfc. Manatad sprawled to the ground. Being outnumbered, Pfc. Catamora sough refuge to the nearby BIR Office. The said armed group then commandeered a vehicle then fled. Later on, two teams of police were successful in arresting Dasig in their safhouse in Cbu City. He then confessed that he was a mmber of Sparrow Unit. The trial court found him guilty of “Murder with Direct Assault.” On appeal, he said that h should b convicted of rebellion not of said complex crime.

Issue: Is the accused liable only for rebellion.

Held: The Supreme Court said that the act of killing a police officer, knowing too well that the victim is a person in authority is a mere component or ingredient of rebellion. Also, since he is a member of Sparrow Unit, an armed group who kills police and military officers, are sufficient to say the least that the killing is always politically motivated. Hence, rebellion is the crime committed only.