- Petitioner
- People
- Respondent
- Tom Chanas y Pitan
- Citation
- G.R. No. 90802
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- First Division
- Ponente
- Bellosillo, J.
- Decided
- August 4, 1992
Summary
Tom Chanas was convicted of highway robbery with homicide under P.D. 532 for the August 2, 1988 incident at Km. 73, Halsema National Highway where he and a companion robbed victims Marina Benos, Alfonso Malicdan, and Edwin Sarol of P20,000 and personal documents. The perpetrators shot all three victims, killing Edwin Sarol and injuring the other two. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, rejecting defenses of misidentification and alibi. The Court found the positive identification by survivors Marina Benos and Alfonso Malicdan credible despite the nighttime occurrence, as the truck's headlights clearly illuminated the perpetrators. The alibi defense failed as it was physically possible for the accused to travel from his claimed location in Abatan to the crime scene. The Court sustained both criminal penalties of reclusion perpetua and civil damages totaling P120,000, emphasizing that highway robbery with homicide under P.D. 532 is a heinous crime warranting strict punishment and adequate compensation for victims.