People v. Jumarang

Summary

Ronilo Jumarang was charged with cultivating marijuana plants under R.A. 9165 after police found three pots on his in-laws' rooftop following a tip. The RTC convicted him and imposed reclusion perpetua plus P500,000 fine. The CA affirmed with modification, changing the penalty to life imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court reversed and acquitted Jumarang, ruling that the warrantless arrest and search were invalid. The Court held that police officers, positioned 10 meters away, lacked probable cause and personal knowledge to arrest Jumarang merely for holding a plant while descending stairs. The tip from a confidential informant and reasonable suspicion were insufficient to justify the warrantless arrest under Rule 113, Section 5(a). Additionally, Jumarang's consent to enter the house did not extend to searching the rooftop. Since the marijuana plants were obtained through an illegal search, they were inadmissible as evidence under the exclusionary rule, necessitating acquittal.