Jefferson G.

Balbon
CRIM – 301 Book 1

TITLE: People of the Philippines vs Arturo Punzalan G.R. No. 199892

FACTS:

The accused and his coworkers proceeded to the nearby videoke bar "Aquarius" on
August 10, 2002, approximately 10:00 in the evening, when they engaged in a drinking session.
Soon after, SN1 Bacosa and the appellant got into a heated argument over a flickering light bulb
inside "Aquarius," and when SN1 Bacosa suggested that the light be turned off ("Patayin ang
ilaw"), the appellant, who must have misunderstood and misinterpreted SN1 Bacosa's statement,
reacted angrily by asking, "Sinong papatayin? SN1 Cuya tried to calm SN1 Bacosa and the
appellant while SN1 Bundang apologized on behalf of SN1 Bacosa to the appellant. However,
the appellant was still obviously upset, mumbling nonsensical words and slamming his fist on
the table.. To avoid further trouble, the navy personnel decided to leave "Aquarius" and return to
the NETC camp.

They went by the NETC sentry gate, which was guarded at the moment by SN1 Noel de
Guzman and F1EN Alejandro Dimaala. Before following their friends, SN1 Andal and SN1
Duclayna even came over to give the sentries some BBQ. A hurrying maroon Nissan van with
the license plate DRW 706 was flagged down by SN1 De Guzman and F1EN Dimaala shortly
after the navy troops had passed by the sentry gate. The sentries approached the van and
identified the driver as appellant, who was oozing alcohol. "Kasi chief, gago ang mga 'yan!" the
appellant yelled loudly, pointing in the general direction of the navy personnel's group. Before he
received the signal to continue,, appellant shifted gears and sped away while uttering, "papatayin
ko ang mga ‘yan!” SN1 De Guzman saw how the van sped away towards the camp and suddenly
swerved to the right hitting the group of the walking navy personnel. When they were hit by the
vehicle from behind, SN1 Cuya and SN1 Bacosa were thrown away towards a grassy spot on the
roadside. They momentarily lost consciousness. When they came to, they saw SN1 Duclayna
lying motionless on the ground. SN1 Cuya tried to resuscitate SN1 Duclayna, while SN1 Bacosa
tried to chase the van, but to no avail.

Consequently, SN1 Andal had severe blunt traumatic injuries to the head, chest, and
abdomen, which led to cardiorespiratory arrest and death. SN1 Duclayna, on the other hand,
suffered fatal injuries to her brain and liver. Numerous blood vessels were ruptured as a result of
the severe head and neck traumas, and the fractures were embedded in the brain.. The laceration
on the liver, also a mortal injury, was a blunt traumatic injury As regards the other navy
personnel, SN1 Cuya suffered lacerated wounds on the head and different parts of the body for
which he was confined at the infirmary for about eighteen (18) days; SN1 Bacosa sustained
injuries on his knee and left hand and stayed in the infirmary for a day; and SN1 Bundang
suffered injuries to his right foot.

ISSUE:

The appellant is criminally liable for murdering and injuring the personnel due to
misinterpreting and having not on a state of mind because of drinking liquor and the case has
been revoked or affirmed by the court.

RULING/HELD:

The Appellant is criminally liable for multiple attempted murders or a complex crime to
be called which is in under the Article 48 of the Revise Penal Code.
The Appellant single handed kill all the navy personnel which caused the death SN1
Andal and SN1 Duclayna,, at the same time. And an attempt to kill SN1 Cuya, SN1 Bacosa, SN1
Bundang and SN1 Domingo. The crimes of murder and attempted murder will be imposed, the
penalty to be imposed shal be “reclusion perpetua to prision mayor”.