G.R. No. 227396 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. MILO LEOCADIO Y LABRADOR, ACCUSED-.

Ruling

Accordingly, Milo was charged with the complex crime of rape with homicide before the Regional Trial Court, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [4] Romblon (RTC) docketed as Criminal Case No. OD-1498, [5] thus: That on or about the 26 th of March, 2002, at around 3:00 o'clock (sic) in the afternoon, in xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx province of Romblon, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the said accused, by means of threats, force, and/or intimidation, did then and there wil[l]fully, unlawfully, and feloniously had (sic) carnal knowledge with one [AAA227396], a 12 year old girl, against her will and consent; and that on the occasion of the rape incident, said accused did then and there, wil[l]fully, unlawfully and feloniously attack, assault and beat [AAA227396] with a hard object causing injuries all over her body and also wrap her face with a piece of cloth that suffocate[d] her, resulting to her death. Contrary to law. [6] Milo pleaded not guilty. At the trial, Milo admitted killing AAA227396 but claimed that it was accidental. Milo explained that he was sleeping at the time of the incident when AAA227396 suddenly touched his shoulder which abruptly awakened him. At that instance, Milo unconsciously threw a punch that hit AAA227396's chest. AAA227396 bumped the wall and fell on the ground apparently dead. Shocked, Milo just sat beside AAA227396's body for a while. Thereafter, Milo requested his mother to seek help from the barangay. The police authorities arrived and investigated the case. Lastly, Milo denied raping AAA227396. [7] In a Decision [8] dated April 1, 2013, the RTC found adequate circumstantial evidence that Milo was guilty of rape with homicide. The RTC gave credence to the autopsy report and the testimony of BBB227396 on the factual circumstances before and after the commission of the crime, [9] to wit: WHEREFORE , premises considered, the Court finds the accused MILO LEOCADIO GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the complex crime of rape with homicide and is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua without eligibility of parole under Act 4103 (Indeterminate Sentence Law), as amended[,] and to pay the heirs of [AAA227396] the amount of [PHP] 100,000.00 as civil indemnity, [PHP] 75,000.00 as moral damages, [PHP] 50,000.00 as exemplary damages and [PHP] 30,000.00 as temperate damages. SO ORDERED.