Case Title: People of the Philippines vs. Sgt.

Rogelio Repiroga

G.R. No.: 138451

Date of Decision: May 17, 2001

Facts: Sgt. Rogelio Repiroga was charged with the crime of murder for allegedly killing a
fellow soldier during an altercation at a military camp. The incident occurred when the
victim and the accused got into a heated argument, which escalated into a physical
confrontation. During the fight, Sgt. Repiroga allegedly used a firearm to shoot and kill
the victim.

Issue: The main issue in this case was whether Sgt. Rogelio Repiroga was criminally
liable for the murder of the victim.

Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that Sgt. Rogelio Repiroga was not criminally liable for
murder but was instead liable for the lesser offense of homicide. The Court considered
that there was no treachery or evident premeditation involved in the killing. The
altercation between the victim and the accused was characterized by a sudden and
spontaneous exchange of blows, and there was no evidence to suggest that Sgt.
Repiroga had planned or prepared to kill the victim.

Legal Principles Applied:

1. The Court applied the elements of the crime of murder, which include treachery
or evident premeditation, and found that these elements were not present in the
case.

Disposition: Sgt. Rogelio Repiroga was found guilty of the crime of homicide, a lesser
offense compared to murder. The Court imposed the corresponding penalty and
ordered him to pay the necessary damages to the victim's family.

Please note that this case digest is a simplified summary of the case and does not
include all the details and legal arguments presented in the actual court decision. For a
comprehensive understanding of the case, it is recommended to refer to the full text of
the Supreme Court's decision in G.R. No. 138451, dated May 17, 2001.