People of the Philippines v Doble

[GR. No. L-30028; May 1982]

Facts:
 The case involves a bank robbery committed in a band with multiple homicide, frustrated
homicide and assault upon agents of persons in authority
 Only 5 of the 10 accused were brought to trial; while the other 2 were acquitted, death penalty
was imposed on the appellants (Cresencio Doble, Simeon Doble and Antonio Romaquin)
 June 13, 1966 (day of the crime), 10 heavily armed men left the shores of Manila in a banca to
rob the Navotas Branch of Prudential Bank and Trust Company, but only 8 disembarked from
the banca
o The said bank had an unusual banking hours, opening at midnight and closing at 8 in
the morning
o The bank only has 10 employees with one security guard
o The bank is also situated beside a police outpost
 Once the suspects were in Navotas, they headed to the beach and fired the shots among
people, causing panic therein. Within a few minutes they returned to the banca carrying
bayongs and sped away

Issue:

1) WON the appellants should be convicted as co-conspirators in the crime

- NO

Held/Ratio: Accordingly, we find appellants Cresencio Doble and Antonio Romaquin guilty beyond
reasonable doubt, but only as accomplices for the crime of robbery in a band. Appellant Simeon Doble
is entitled to acquittal as so recommended by Solicitor General.

1) Evidence againts the appellant, Simeon Doble, only shows that the malefactors met in his
house to discuss the plan to robb the Prudential Bank. There werent any proof that he took
direct part in its consummation by some act without which it would not have been committed.

a. Mere knowledge or approval of the act, without cooperation or agreement to cooperate is not
enough to constitute one party to a conspiracy

2) Cresencio Doble admitted that the leader of the band, Joe Intsik asked him to look for a banca
to be used for robbery of a bank, he then referred Antonio Romaquin for Romaquin owns one.
The two are just liable as accomplices because they joined the criminal design when
Cresencio consented to look for a banca and Romaquin provided it. The two then brought the
malefactors to the scene of the crime despite the knowledge of the evil purpose for which the
banca was to be used.

a. The appellants cooperated but not in an indispensable manner. Even without their
cooperation, the robbery will still be possible.