People vs. Gamba (2017)

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES vs. MARK GAMBA

G.R. No. 215332, July 24, 2017 

DEL CASTILLO, J.:

Facts: At around 1:00 a.m. of June 2, 2006, appellant and three unidentified men boarded a public utility jeepney. When the vehicle was traversing along Tejeron comer Paco Roman Streets, Sta. Ana, Manila, they announced a "hold-up". Appellant and one of his companions pulled out their guns and divested Esteban Sandagan of his cash and possessions in the amount of ₱l,100.00. John Mark Cerbito, the passenger who was seated beside the driver, refused to give his cellphone, hence appellant kicked him three to four times. As a result, Cerbito fell off the jeepney whereupon appellant shot him twice, hitting him in his chest and abdomen. Thereafter, appellant and his three companions ran away with their loot. Cerbito died due to his gunshot wounds.

Appellant denied the charges against him. He claimed to have been engaged in a drinking session with a friend in a videoke bar and restaurant at the comer of Callejon and Tejeron Streets, Sta. Ana, Manila during the June 2, 2006 robbery-homicide incident.

Issue: Whether or not appellant is guilty of robbery with homicide.

Ruling: Yes. The elements of the special complex crime of robbery with homicide are: (1) the taking of personal property belonging to another; (2) with intent to gain; (3) with the use of violence or intimidation against a person; (4) on the occasion or by reason of the robbery, the crime of homicide was committed.

In this case, appellant, together with his three companions, boarded the public utility jeepney and declared a "hold-up". The passengers, including Sandagan, were forced at gunpoint to turnover their cash and possessions. When Cerbito refused to be divested of his cellphone, appellant kicked him three or four times with such force that he fell off the jeepney. Still dissatisfied with the violence he vented on Cerbito, appellant fired at him twice, hitting him in his chest and abdomen resulting in his untimely death. Appellant and his three cohort then fled together with their loot. Appellant failed to prove that it was physically impossible for him to have been at the scene of the crime when it occurred.

Ratio Decidendi: In robbery with homicide, the intent to rob must precede the taking of human life but the killing may occur before, during or after the robbery.

Gist: On appeal is the Decision of the CA, which affirmed with modification Decision of the RTC of Manila, finding appellant Mark Gamba y Nissorada guilty of robbery with homicide.