Yamashita vs.

Styer
Gr no. L-129

Facts:
Petitioner Tomoyuki Yamashita, the commanding general of the 14th army group of the
Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines, after his surrender became a prisoner of war of the
United States of America but was later removed from such status and placed in confinement as
an accused war criminal charged before an American Military Commission constituted by
respondent Lieutenant General Styer, Commanding General of the United States Army Forces,
Western Pacific.

Filing for habeas corpus and prohibition against respondent, he asks that he be reinstated to his
former status as prisoner of war, and that the Military Commission be prohibited from further
trying him. He questions, among others, the jurisdiction of said Military Commission.

Issue:
Was the Military Commission validly constituted by respondent, therefore having jurisdiction
over the war crimes?