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EN BANC

G.R. No. 162318             October 25, 2004

1LT. JULIUS R. NAVALES, 1LT. EMERSON L. MARGATE, 2LT. RYAN H. QUISAI, TSG. ELMER D. COLON,
CAPT. JULIUS W. ESPORO, SGT. NOLI FORONDA, SGT. GIL P. LOZADA, SGT. RAYMUND DUMAGO and PFC.
REGIE A. ALAGABAN, petitioners,

vs.
GEN. NARCISO ABAYA, as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), B.GEN. MARIANO M.
SARMIENTO, JR., as Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the AFP, and OTHER PERSONS ACTING UNDER
THEIR AUTHORITY, respondents.

x--------------------------x

G.R. No. 162341             October 25, 2004

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE HABEAS CORPUS OF CPT. RUPERTO L. REASO, LTSG.
NORBERTO E. SANTIAGO, 1LT. DANNY C. CANAVERAL, 1LT. JULIUS R. NAVALES, 1LT. EMERSON L.
MARGATE, 1LT. JEFFREY GAUGUIRAN, LTJG. CEFERINO CHECA, LTJG. MARCO ANGELO J. ANCHETA,
LTJG. ELMER TORRIADO, LTJG. RONALD A. GALICIA, 2LT. LAUREFEL P. DABALES, 2LT. MARY JAMES A.
TAYABAN, 2LT. JASON P. PANALIGAN, 2LT. RYAN QUISAI, 2LT. NESTOR JASON CAMBA, 2LT. ARCHIBALD
RANEL, 2LT. RESINO S. ORTEZA, 2LT. NOEL F. TOMENGLAY, 2LT. LEOPOLDO APELLANES, JR., 2LT.
JONATHAN D. COSTALES, 2LT. OSWALD IAN DIRA, 2LT. SAMSUDIN T. LINTONGAN, 2LT. ALQUIN CANSON,
2LT. JUNIBERT S. TUBO, 2LT. EDWIN DUETAO, 2LT. MARK P. DAMASO, 2LT. JIOVANNI PALLIAN, 2LT.
EDGARDO AGUILAR, 2LT. NORMAN SPENCER, 2LT. LARRY S. CENDANA, 2LT. AVELINO SAHLI, 2LT.
LEXINGTON ALONZO, 2LT. FILMORE RULL, ENS. VICTOR ODULLO, ENS. IAN LUIS BADECAO, ENS.
RONALD E. DISO, ENS. ARJOHN ELUMBA, ENS. BRIAN BABANG, ENS. ANTONIO BOSCH, ENS. TED
CEREZO, ENS. HAROLD DAVE PRE, ENS. JEFFREY BANGSA, ENS. JONAH ARUGAY, ENS. JONATHAN J.
ADLAWAN, ENS. EMERSON ROSALES, ENS. ELMER CRUZ, ENS. REX P. CALLANO, ENS. JUVENAL
AZURIN, ENS. LYLE ROSOS, ENS. CESAR CARMEL TAMBA, CPO. LEONIDO FERNIN, EM3 RONNIE GUMIA,
PO3 ROULEX MAGISA, TSG. JESUCRAIS SOLEDAD, SSG. NORBERTO MARTINEZ, SSG. BERTING
CABANA, SSG. JOERY ROJO, PO2 EDWARD ABUAC, SSG. LEO GAPAYAO, SSG. ROMAR ARQUERO, SSG.
RALLON BEBASA, SSG. LORENZO GLORIOSO, SSG. NOEL AGGALUT, SSG. PHILIP VITALES, SSG.
FRANCISCO BOSI, JR., SSG. BONIFACIO BARRION, SSG. RUBEN SORIANO, SSG. RONALD REYES, SSG.
WILFREDO LEAL, SSG. GUILLERMO LAVITORES, SGT. ALFREDO ALEGADO, JR., SGT. GREGORIO
SANDAGON, SGT. JIGGER PACULBA SGT. JOJO ABANDO, SGT. JUANITO JILBURY, SGT. ERIC CASTINO,
SGT. ANTONIO CARABATA, SGT. REYNANTE DANTE ESCATRON. SGT. NOLI FORONDA, SGT. JERAN
TABUJARA, SGT. RESTITUTO DEBORJA, SGT. NILO ENASO, SGT. JULIUS WESFIRO, SGT. ROLDAN ANDO,
SGT. LORENZO CARRANZA, SGT. DANTE SANTOS, SGT. WALTER MANALANSAN, SGT. JUDE ARQUISOLA,
SGT. HERMAN LINDE, SGT. ALEXANDER SICAT, SGT. FLORANTE ROSETTE, SGT. ROMELO SY, SGT. JOEY
MEMBREVE, SGT. ADONIS PRADO, PO3 JESSMAR LANDONG, PO3 ROBERTO TRIPULCA, PO3 SONNY
MADARANG, PO3 RHOMMEL LORETE, PO3 CARISTOFEIL TIKTIK, PO3 RENATO BUSTILLO,PO3 JERRY
ASUNCION, PO3 LUDIVICO CLEMENTE, CPL. REY RUBIOS, CPL. EMMANUEL TIRADOR, CPL. OLIVER
COMBAUCER, CPL. JOEL ABAYA, CPL. RANDEL CENO, CPL. RONALD RETUTA, CPL. JULIUS TANALLON,
CPL. FILOMENO RAMIREZ, CPL. JIGGER ALAMEDA, CPL. RAYMUND DUMAGAO, CPL. EDGAR VELASCO,
CPL. RAMONCITO TAMPON, SN1 ALLAN DULAP, SN1 JERRY REGALARIO, SN1 JOEL MASENAS, SN1
JONATHAN PEREZ, S1HM ROMUALDO GANANCIAL, SN1 ROEL GADON, F1EM GARY PAYOS, SN1
ZANDRIX GACU, SN1 ROMMEL ANONUEVO, SN1 WILLIAM ABLITER, SN1 GERMINIO FERNANDEZ, SN1
ARNEL CAPUNO, SN1 CLEOFAS PAMIENTA, S1HM TIMOTEO ABARRACOSO, S1CD GERARDO
DEDICATORIA, SN1 LEONOR FORTE, JR., CPL. JEOBAL GONZALES, CPL. ALADIN GOMEZ, CPL. HARDY
GLAGARA, CPL. CESAR A. PADILLA, CPL. JERSON ALABATA, CPL. OLIVER GERIO, CPL. TEDDY
ANTONIO, CPL. DENNIS LOPEZ, CPL. RUEL MOLINA, CPL. ALVIN CELESTINO, CPL. BENJAMIN
RAMBOYONG, JR., CPL. GERRY CALINGACION, CPL. ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ, CPL. JONATHAN
DAGOHOY, CPL. CLECARTE DAHAN, CPL. RAYMOND PASTRETA, CPL. LORENZO BIAO, CPL. ALEX PENA,
CPL. ROGUN OLIVIDO, CPL. MONCHITO LUSTERIO, CPL. GEORGE GANADOS, CPL. MICHAEL BALISTA,
PVT. 1ST CLASS MAXINIAR BALANAY, PVT. 1ST CLASS BONIFACIO CAOALO, PVT. 1ST CLASS REGGIE
ALAGABAN, PVT. 1ST CLASS ANGELO MARQUEZ, PVT. 1ST CLASS JOHN GAIHAN, PVT. 1ST CLASS
MARCIAL CAISA, PVT. 1ST CLASS CARLOS FILLIOS, PVT. 1ST CLASS PATROCENIO PATENO, PVT. 1ST
CLASS ROLLY BERNAL, PVT. 1ST CLASS NOVIDA RUIZ, PVT. 1ST CLASS MELCHOR ALOOS, PVT. 1ST
CLASS JOEL MALALAY, PVT. 1ST CLASS JULIETO BANAS, JR., PVT. 1ST CLASS ROLAND BANAAG, PVT.
1ST CLASS NIXON MAGALLIS, PVT. 1ST CLASS RICHARD LARCE, PVT. 1ST CLASS SINDY BONOTAN, PVT.
1ST CLASS ARNOLD PULPULAAN, PVT. 1ST CLASS ABRAHAM APOSTOL, PFC. CHARLES AGNER, S2RM
JULIUS CEAZAR ALFUENTE, PFC. EDILON ANDALEON, PFC. RONALDO BAYOS, PFC. MARCIAL BAYSA,
S2EM ABRAHAM BILLONES, CPL. ABNER BIRAL, PFC. JEFFREY BOLALIN, SN2 JEFFREY BONCACAS, 1LT
PATRICIO BUMIDANG, JR., S2BM JOSEPH BUSCATO, CPT. EINSTEIN CALAOA, JR., PFC. EDWIN CANETE,
SN2 EZRA JERRY CARUMBA, S2PH GLENN CARUMBA, SGT. ARIMATEO B. CEDENO, SN2 ALEX CHAN,
PO3 COCARI GONZALES, FN2 ALEX DEL CALLE, PFC. HANZEL DELA TORRE, SN2 SONNY DELA VEGA,
PFC. JOSE DEMONTEVERDE, 1LT. JOSE ENRICO M. DINGLE, PFC. ALADINO DOGOMEO, ENS. DENNIS
DONGA, PFC. RUEL ESPINILLA, PFC. RODRIGO FERNANDEZ, SN2 JULIUS GARCIA, SGT. ALLAN
INOCENCIO. TSQ. JESUCRAIS SOLEDAD, PFC. JERSON LABILLES, CPL. DANILO LAGRIMAS, SN2 ALLAN
LEONOR. 2LT. NORMAN SPENCER LO, S2BM JERIC LORENA, S2DP ANGELITO LOYLOY, PFC. LUIS
NOVIDA, SN2 EMMANUEL LUMACANG, CPL. RIZAL MANIMTIM, PFC. GALIB MOHAMMAD, SSG. GIL
MONTOJO. PFC. BENJAMIN NANGGAN, PFC. ARNOLD NIALLA, SN2 FERNANDO PACARDO, SGT. JOVITO
PACLEB. PFC. CHRISTOPHER PEREZ, LTJG. JENNIFER PILI, PFC. CARLOS PILLOS. PFC. JOCIL
REGULACION. S2DC GARY REYES. S2EM VALENTIN SAMAR. LT/SG. NORBERTO SANTIAGO, JR.. FN2
FRANCISCO SEVILLA, JR.. SN2 MIKE SOLAR. SN2 ROMMEL SOLIS. PFC. JOJIT SORIANO. CPT. EDMAR B.
SORIOSO. SSG. JUAN TUQUIB. SN2 JOEL TYBACO. S1BM RONALDO URBANO. S2HM EDGAR VASQUEZ.
SGT. IGNACIO VIGAR, ROBERTO RAFAEL ("ROEL") PULIDO, petitioner,

vs.
GEN. NARCISO ABAYA, as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, BRIG. GEN. MARIANO M.
SARMIENTO, JR., as AFP Judge Advocate General, and ALL PERSONS ACTING IN THEIR STEAD AND
UNDER THEIR AUTHORITY, respondents.

DECISION

CALLEJO, SR., J.:

Before the Court are two petitions essentially assailing the jurisdiction of the General Court-Martial to conduct the
court-martial proceedings involving several junior officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) charged with violations of the Articles of War (Commonwealth Act No. 408, as amended) in connection with
their participation in the take-over of the Oakwood Premier Apartments in Ayala Center, Makati City on July 27,
2003.

In G.R. No. 162341, Roberto Rafael Pulido, a lawyer, filed with this Court a Petition for Habeas Corpus seeking the
release of his clients, junior officers and enlisted men of the AFP, who are allegedly being unlawfully detained by
virtue of the Commitment Order1 dated August 2, 2003 issued by General Narciso L. Abaya, Chief of Staff of the
AFP, pursuant to Article 70 of the Articles of War. Under the said commitment order, all the Major Service
Commanders and the Chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) were directed
to take custodial responsibility of all the "military personnel involved in the 27 July 2003 mutiny" belonging to their
respective commands. This included all the junior officers and enlisted men (hereinafter referred to as Capt. Reaso,2
et al.) who are subject of the instant petition for habeas corpus. The commitment order, however, expressly stated
that LtSG. Antonio F. Trillanes, LtSG. James A. Layug, Capt. Garry C. Alejano, Capt. Milo D. Maestrecampo, Capt.
Gerardo O. Gambala, and Capt. Nicanor E. Faeldon would remain under the custody of the Chief of the ISAFP.3

In G.R. No. 162318, the petitioners (hereinafter referred to as 1Lt. Navales, et al.), seven of the detained junior
officers and enlisted men, filed with this Court a Petition for Prohibition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court seeking
to enjoin the General Court-Martial from proceeding with the trial of the petitioners and their co-accused for alleged
violations of the Articles of War.

Named as respondents in the two petitions are General Narciso Abaya who, as Chief of Staff of the AFP, exercises
command and control over all the members and agencies of the AFP, and Brigadier General Mariano Sarmiento, Jr.,
the Judge Advocate General of the AFP and officer in command of the Judge Advocate General Office (JAGO), the
agency of the AFP tasked to conduct the court-martial proceedings.

Background4

At past 1:00 a.m. of July 27, 2003, more than three hundred junior officers and enlisted men, mostly from the elite
units of the AFP – the Philippine Army’s Scout Rangers and the Philippine Navy’s Special Warfare Group (SWAG) –
quietly entered the premises of the Ayala Center in Makati City. They disarmed the security guards and took over
the Oakwood Premier Apartments (Oakwood). They planted explosives around the building and in its vicinity.
Snipers were posted at the Oakwood roof deck.

The soldiers, mostly in full battle gear and wearing red arm bands, were led by a small number of junior officers,
widely known as the Magdalo Group. The leaders were later identified as including Navy LtSG. Antonio Trillanes IV,
Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Navy LtSG. James Layug, and Marine Capt. Gary
Alejano.
Between 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., the soldiers were able to issue a public statement through the ABS-CBN News (ANC)
network. They claimed that they went to Oakwood to air their grievances against the administration of President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Among those grievances were: the graft and corruption in the military, the sale of arms
and ammunition to the "enemies" of the State, the bombings in Davao City which were allegedly ordered by Brig.
Gen. Victor Corpus, Chief of the ISAFP, in order to obtain more military assistance from the United States
government, and the "micro-management" in the AFP by then Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary
Angelo Reyes. They declared their withdrawal of support from the chain of command and demanded the resignation
of key civilian and military leaders of the Arroyo administration.

Around 9:00 a.m., Pres. Arroyo gave the soldiers until 5:00 p.m. to give up their positions peacefully and return to
barracks. At about 1:00 p.m., she declared the existence of a "state of rebellion" and issued an order to use
reasonable force in putting down the rebellion. A few hours later, the soldiers again went on television reiterating
their grievances. The deadline was extended twice, initially to 7:00 p.m., and later, indefinitely.

In the meantime, a series of negotiations ensued between the soldiers and the Government team led by
Ambassador Roy Cimatu. An agreement was forged between the two groups at 9:30 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Pres.
Arroyo announced that the occupation of Oakwood was over. The soldiers agreed to return to barracks and were out
of the Oakwood premises by 11:00 p.m.

The Filing of Charges

Under the Information5 dated August 1, 2003 filed with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, the
Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 321 of those soldiers who took part in the "Oakwood Incident" with violation of
Article 134-A (coup d’etat) of the Revised Penal Code.6 Among those charged were petitioners 1Lt. Navales, et al.
(G.R. No. 162318) and those who are subject of the petition for habeas corpus Capt. Reaso, et al. (G.R. No.
162341). The case, entitled People v. Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, et al., was docketed as Criminal Case No. 03-2784
and raffled to Branch 61 presided by Judge Romeo F. Barza.

On September 12, 2003, several (243 in number) of the accused in Criminal Case No. 03-2784 filed with the RTC
(Branch 61) an Omnibus Motion praying that the trial court:

1. [A]ssume jurisdiction over all the charges filed before the military tribunal in accordance with Republic Act
No. 7055; and

2. Order the prosecution to present evidence to establish probable cause against 316 of the 321 accused
and, should the prosecution fail to do so, dismiss the case as against the 316 other accused.7

While the said motion was pending resolution, the DOJ issued the Resolution dated October 20, 2003 finding
probable cause for coup d’etat8 against only 31 of the original 321 accused and dismissing the charges against the
other 290 for insufficiency of evidence.

Thus, upon the instance of the prosecution, the RTC (Branch 61), in its Order9 dated November 14, 2003, admitted
the Amended Information10 dated October 30, 2003 charging only 31 of the original accused with the crime of coup
d’etat defined under Article 134-A of the Revised Penal Code.11 Only the following were charged under the
Amended Information: CPT. MILO D. MAESTRECAMPO, LTSG. ANTONIO F. TRILLANES IV, CPT. GARY C.
ALEJANO, LTSG. JAMES A. LAYUG, CPT. LAURENCE LUIS B. SOMERA, CPT. GERARDO O. GAMBALA, CPT.
NICANOR FAELDON, CPT. ALBERT T. BALOLOY, CPT. SEGUNDINO P. ORFIANO, JR., CPT. JOHN P. ANDRES,
CPT. ALVIN H. EBREO, 1LT. FLORENTINO B. SOMERA, 1LT. CLEO B. DUNGGA-AS, 1LT. SONNY S.
SARMIENTO, 1LT. AUDIE S. TOCLOY, 1LT. VON RIO TAYAB, 1LT. REX C. BOLO, 1LT. LAURENCE R. SAN JUAN,
1LT. WARREN LEE G. DAGUPON, 1LT. NATHANIEL N. RABONZA, 2LT. KRISTOFFER BRYAN M. YASAY, 1LT.
JONNEL P. SANGGALANG, 1LT. BILLY S. PASCUA, 1LT. FRANCISCO ACEDILLO, LTSG. MANUEL G.
CABOCHAN, LTSG. EUGENE LOUIE GONZALES, LTSG. ANDY G. TORRATO, LTJG. ARTURO S. PASCUA, JR.,
ENS. ARMAND PONTEJOS, PO3 JULIUS J. MESA, PO3 CESAR GONZALES, and several JOHN DOES and
JANE DOES. Further, the said Order expressly stated that the case against the other 290 accused, including
petitioners 1Lt. Navales, et al. and those who are subject of the petition for habeas corpus, Capt. Reaso, et al., was
dismissed. In another Order dated November 18, 2003, the RTC (Branch 61) issued commitment orders against
those 31 accused charged under the Amended Information and set their arraignment.

Meanwhile, 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al., who were earlier dropped as accused in Criminal Case No.
03-2784, were charged before the General Court-Martial with violations of the Articles of War (AW), particularly: AW
67 (Mutiny), AW 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline), AW 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an
Officer and a Gentleman), AW 63 (Disrespect to the President, the Secretary of Defense, etc.) and AW 64
(Disrespect Towards Superior Officer).12 On the other hand, Capt. Maestrecampo and the 30 others who remained
charged under the Amended Information were not included in the charge sheets for violations of the Articles of War.

Thereafter, Criminal Case No. 03-2784 was consolidated with Criminal Case No. 03-2678, entitled People v. Ramon
Cardenas, pending before Branch 148 of the RTC of Makati City, presided by Judge Oscar B. Pimentel.

On February 11, 2004, acting on the earlier Omnibus Motion filed by the 243 of the original accused under the
Information dated August 1, 2003, the RTC (Branch 148) issued an Order, the dispositive portion of which reads:

WHEREFORE, premises considered, in view of the Orders dated November 14 and 18, 2003 of Judge
Romeo Barza, the Omnibus Motion to: 1) Assume jurisdiction over all charges filed before the Military Courts
 in accordance with R.A. 7055; and 2) Implement the August 7, 2003 Order of the Court requiring the
prosecution to produce evidence to establish probable cause are hereby considered MOOT AND ACADEMIC
and, lastly, all charges before the court-martial against the accused (those included in the Order of November
18, 2003) as well as those former accused (those included in the Order of November 14, 2003) are hereby
declared not service-connected, but rather absorbed and in furtherance to the alleged crime of coup d’etat.13

In the Notice of Hearing dated March 1, 2004, the General Court-Martial set on March 16, 2004 the arraignment/trial
of those charged with violations of the Articles of War in connection with the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Incident.

The present petitions were then filed with this Court. Acting on the prayer for the issuance of temporary restraining
order in the petition for prohibition in G.R. No. 162318, this Court, in the Resolution dated March 16, 2004, directed
the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the filing of the petition.14

The Petitioners’ Case

In support of the petitions for prohibition and for habeas corpus, the petitioners advance the following arguments:

I. UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7055, THE RESPONDENTS AND THE GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL ARE
WITHOUT ANY JURISDICTION TO FURTHER CONDUCT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE PETITIONERS
AND THEIR COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT HAS ALREADY DETERMINED
THAT THE OFFENSES ARE NOT SERVICE-RELATED AND ARE PROPERLY WITHIN THE JURISDICTION
OF THE CIVILIAN COURTS;15 and

II. THE RESPONDENTS HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO FURTHER DETAIN THE JUNIOR OFFICERS AND
ENLISTED MEN AS THE CHARGES FOR COUP D’ETAT BEFORE THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT HAVE
BEEN DISMISSED FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE UPON MOTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.16

Citing Section 117 of Republic Act No. 7055,18 the petitioners theorize that since the RTC (Branch 148), in its Order
dated February 11, 2004, already declared that the offenses for which all the accused were charged were not
service-connected, but absorbed and in furtherance of the crime of coup d’etat, the General Court-Martial no longer
has jurisdiction over them. As such, respondents Gen. Abaya and the JAGO have no authority to constitute the
General Court-Martial, to charge and prosecute the petitioners and their co-accused for violations of the Articles of
War in connection with the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Incident. The petitioners posit that, as a corollary, there is no
longer any basis for their continued detention under the Commitment Order dated August 2, 2003 issued by Gen.
Abaya considering that the charge against them for coup d’etat had already been dismissed.

In G.R. No. 162318, the petitioners pray that the respondents be enjoined from constituting the General Court-
Martial and from further proceeding with the court-martial of the petitioners and their co-accused for violations of the
Articles of War in connection with the Oakwood Incident of July 27, 2003. In G.R. No. 162341, the petitioner prays
that the respondents be ordered to explain why the detained junior officers and enlisted men subject of the petition
for habeas corpus should not be released without delay.

The Respondents’ Arguments

The respondents, through the Office of the Solicitor General, urge the Court to dismiss the petitions. The
respondents contend that the Order dated February 11, 2004 promulgated by the RTC (Branch 148), insofar as it
resolved the Omnibus Motion and declared that the charges against all the accused, including those excluded in the
Amended Information, were not service-connected, is null and void. They aver that at the time that the said motion
was resolved, petitioners 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. (as movants therein) were no longer parties in
Criminal Case No. 03-2784 as the charge against them was already dismissed by the RTC (Branch 61) in the Order
dated November 14, 2003. Thus, 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. no longer had any personality to
pursue the Omnibus Motion since one who has no right or interest to protect cannot invoke the jurisdiction of the
court. In other words, the petitioners were not "real parties in interest" at the time that their Omnibus Motion was
resolved by the RTC (Branch 148).

The respondents further claim denial of due process as they were not given an opportunity to oppose or comment
on the Omnibus Motion. Worse, they were not even given a copy of the Order dated February 11, 2004. As such,
the same cannot be enforced against the respondents, especially because they were not parties to Criminal Case
No. 03-2784.

The respondents, likewise, point out a seeming ambiguity in the February 11, 2004 Order as it declared, on one
hand, that the charges filed before the court-martial were not service-connected, but on the other hand, it ruled that
the Omnibus Motion was moot and academic. According to the respondents, these two pronouncements cannot
stand side by side. If the Omnibus Motion was already moot and academic, because the accused who filed the
same were no longer being charged with coup d’etat under the Amended Information, then the trial court did not
have any authority to further resolve and grant the same Omnibus Motion.

The respondents maintain that since 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. were not being charged with coup
d’etat under the Amended Information, the trial court could not make a finding that the charges filed against them
before the General Court-Martial were in furtherance of coup d’etat. For this reason, the declaration contained in the
dispositive portion of the February 11, 2004 Order - that charges filed against the accused before the court-martial
were not service-connected - cannot be given effect.
Similarly invoking Section 1 of Rep. Act No. 7055, the respondents vigorously assert that the charges against 1Lt.
Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. filed with the General Court-Martial, i.e., violations of the Articles of War 63,
64, 67, 96 and 97, are, in fact, among those declared to be service-connected under the second paragraph of this
provision. This means that the civil court cannot exercise jurisdiction over the said offenses, the same being properly
cognizable by the General Court-Martial. Thus, the RTC (Branch 148) acted without or in excess of jurisdiction when
it declared in its February 11, 2004 Order that the charges against those accused before the General Court-Martial
were not service-connected, but absorbed and in furtherance of the crime of coup d’etat. Said pronouncement is
allegedly null and void.

The respondents denounce the petitioners for their forum shopping. Apparently, a similar petition (petition for
habeas corpus, prohibition with injunction and prayer for issuance of a temporary restraining order) had been filed
by the petitioners’ co-accused with the Court of Appeals, docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 82695. The case was
resolved against the petitioners therein.

The respondents pray that the petitions be dismissed for lack of merit.

Issue

The sole issue that needs to be resolved is whether or not the petitioners are entitled to the writs of prohibition and
habeas corpus.

The Court’s Ruling

We rule in the negative.

We agree with the respondents that the sweeping declaration made by the RTC (Branch 148) in the dispositive
portion of its Order dated February 11, 2004 that all charges before the court-martial against the accused were not
service-connected, but absorbed and in furtherance of the crime of coup d’etat, cannot be given effect. For reasons
which shall be discussed shortly, such declaration was made without or in excess of jurisdiction; hence, a nullity.

The trial court’s declaration was

made when the Omnibus Motion
had already been rendered moot
and academic with respect to
1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt.
Reaso, et al. by reason of the
dismissal of the charge of coup
d’etat against them

The Order dated February 11, 2004 was issued purportedly to resolve the Omnibus Motion, which prayed for the
trial court to, inter alia, acquire jurisdiction over all the charges filed before the military courts in accordance with
Rep. Act No. 7055. The said Omnibus Motion was filed on September 12, 2003 by 243 of the original accused under
the Information dated August 1, 2003. However, this information was subsequently superseded by the Amended
Information dated October 20, 2003 under which only 31 were charged with the crime of coup d’etat. In the
November 14, 2003 Order of the RTC (Branch 61), the Amended Information was admitted and the case against the
290 accused, including 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al., was dismissed. The said Order became final and
executory since no motion for reconsideration thereof had been filed by any of the parties.

Thus, when the RTC (Branch 148) eventually resolved the Omnibus Motion on February 11, 2004, the said motion
had already been rendered moot by the November 14, 2003 Order of the RTC (Branch 61) admitting the Amended
Information under which only 31 of the accused were charged and dismissing the case as against the other 290. It
had become moot with respect to those whose charge against them was dismissed, including 1Lt. Navales, et al.
and Capt. Reaso, et al., because they were no longer parties to the case. This was conceded by the RTC (Branch
148) itself as it stated in the body of its February 11, 2004 Order that:

Now, after going over the records of the case, the Court is of the view that the movants’ first concern in their
omnibus motion, i.e., assume jurisdiction over all charges filed before military courts in accordance with R.A.
7055, has been rendered moot and academic by virtue of the Order dated November 14, 2003 dismissing the
case against TSg. Leonel M. Alnas, TSg. Ramon B. Norico, SSg. Eduardo G. Cedeno, et al. and finding
probable cause in the Order dated November 18, 2003 against accused Cpt. Milo D. Maestrecampo, LtSg.
Antonio F. Trillanes IV, et al., issued by Judge Barza.

In view of the Order of Judge Barza dated November 14, 2003 dismissing the case against aforesaid
accused, the Court, therefore, can no longer assume jurisdiction over all charges filed before the military
courts and this Court cannot undo nor reverse the Order of November 14, 2003 of Judge Barza, there being
no motion filed by the prosecution to reconsider the order or by any of the accused.19

Accordingly, in the dispositive portion of the said Order, the RTC (Branch 148) held that the Omnibus Motion was
considered "moot and academic." And yet, in the same dispositive portion, the RTC (Branch 148) still proceeded to
declare in the last clause thereof that "all the charges before the court-martial against the accused (those included in
the Order of November 18, 2003) as well as those former accused (those included in the Order of November 14,
2003) are hereby declared not service-connected," on its perception that the crimes defined in and penalized by the
Articles of War were committed in furtherance of coup d’etat; hence, absorbed by the latter crime.
As earlier explained, insofar as those whose case against them was dismissed, there was nothing else left to
resolve after the Omnibus Motion was considered moot and academic. Indeed, as they were no longer parties to the
case, no further relief could be granted to them. 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. could be properly
considered as strangers to the proceedings in Criminal Case No. 03-2784. And in the same manner that strangers
to a case are not bound by any judgment rendered by the court,20 any rulings made by the trial court in Criminal
Case No. 03-2784 are no longer binding on 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al. The RTC (Branch 148) itself
recognized this as it made the statement, quoted earlier, that "in view of the Order of Judge Barza dated November
14, 2003 dismissing the case against aforesaid accused, the Court, therefore, can no longer assume jurisdiction
over all charges filed before the military courts and this Court cannot undo nor reverse the Order of November 14,
2003 of Judge Barza there being no motion filed by the prosecution to reconsider the order or by any of the
accused."21

Thus, 1Lt. Navales, et al. and Capt. Reaso, et al., who are no longer charged with coup d’etat, cannot find solace in
the declaration of the RTC (Branch 148) that the charges filed before the General Court-Martial against them were
not service-connected. The same is a superfluity and cannot be given effect for having been made by the RTC
(Branch 148) without or in excess of its jurisdiction.

Such declaration was made by the

RTC (Branch 148) in violation of

Section 1, Republic Act No. 7055

Section 1 of Rep. Act No. 7055 reads in full:

Section 1. Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other persons subject to military law,
including members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units, who commit crimes or offenses
penalized under the Revised Penal Code, other special penal laws, or local government ordinances,
regardless of whether or not civilians are co-accused, victims, or offended parties which may be natural or
juridical persons, shall be tried by the proper civil court, except when the offense, as determined before
arraignment by the civil court, is service-connected, in which case the offense shall be tried by court-martial:
Provided, That the President of the Philippines may, in the interest of justice, order or direct at any time before
arraignment that any such crimes or offenses be tried by the proper civil courts.

As used in this Section, service-connected crimes or offenses shall be limited to those defined in Articles 54
to 70, Articles 72 to 92, and Articles 95 to 97 of Commonwealth Act No. 408, as amended.

In imposing the penalty for such crimes or offenses, the court-martial may take into consideration the penalty
prescribed therefor in the Revised Penal Code, other special laws, or local government ordinances.

The second paragraph of the above provision explicitly specifies what are considered "service-connected crimes or
offenses" under Commonwealth Act No. 408 (CA 408), as amended, also known as the Articles of War, to wit:

Articles 54 to 70:

Art. 54. Fraudulent Enlistment.

Art. 55. Officer Making Unlawful Enlistment.

Art. 56. False Muster.

Art. 57. False Returns.

Art. 58. Certain Acts to Constitute Desertion.

Art. 59. Desertion.

Art. 60. Advising or Aiding Another to Desert.

Art. 61. Entertaining a Deserter.

Art. 62. Absence Without Leave.

Art. 63. Disrespect Toward the President, Vice-President, Congress of the Philippines, or Secretary of
National Defense.

Art. 64. Disrespect Toward Superior Officer.

Art. 65. Assaulting or Willfully Disobeying Superior Officer.

Art. 66. Insubordinate Conduct Toward Non-Commissioned Officer.

Art. 67. Mutiny or Sedition.

Art. 68. Failure to Suppress Mutiny or Sedition.

 Art. 69. Quarrels; Frays; Disorders.

Art. 70. Arrest or Confinement.

Articles 72 to 92

Art. 72. Refusal to Receive and Keep Prisoners.

Art. 73. Report of Prisoners Received.

Art. 74. Releasing Prisoner Without Authority.

Art. 75. Delivery of Offenders to Civil Authorities.

Art. 76. Misbehavior Before the Enemy.

Art. 77. Subordinates Compelling Commander to Surrender.

Art. 78. Improper Use of Countersign.

Art. 79. Forcing a Safeguard.

Art. 80. Captured Property to be Secured for Public Service.

Art. 81. Dealing in Captured or Abandoned Property.

Art. 82. Relieving, Corresponding With, or Aiding the Enemy.

Art. 83. Spies.

Art. 84. Military Property. – Willful or Negligent Loss, Damage or Wrongful Disposition.

Art. 85. Waste or Unlawful Disposition of Military Property Issued to Soldiers.

Art. 86. Drunk on Duty.

Art. 87. Misbehavior of Sentinel.

Art. 88. Personal Interest in Sale of Provisions.

Art. 88-A. Unlawfully Influencing Action of Court.

Art. 89. Intimidation of Persons Bringing Provisions.

Art. 90. Good Order to be Maintained and Wrongs Redressed.

Art. 91. Provoking Speeches or Gestures.

Art. 92. Dueling.

Articles 95 to 97:

Art. 95. Frauds Against the Government.

Art. 96. Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman.

Art. 97 General Article.

Further, Section 1 of Rep. Act No. 7055 vests on the military courts the jurisdiction over the foregoing offenses. The
following deliberations in the Senate on Senate Bill No. 1468, which, upon consolidation with House Bill No. 31130,
subsequently became Rep. Act No. 7055, are instructive:

Senator Shahani. I would like to propose an addition to Section 1, but this will have to be on page 2. This will
be in line 5, which should be another paragraph, but still within Section 1. This is to propose a definition of
what "service-connected" means, because this appears on line 8. My proposal is the following:

"SERVICE-CONNECTED OFFENSES SHALL MEAN THOSE COMMITTED BY MILITARY

PERSONNEL PURSUANT TO THE LAWFUL ORDER OF THEIR SUPERIOR OFFICER OR WITHIN
THE CONTEXT OF A VALID MILITARY EXERCISE OR MISSION."

I believe this amendment seeks to avoid any confusion as to what "service-connected offense" means.
Please note that "service-connected offense," under this bill, remains within the jurisdiction of military
tribunals.

So, I think that is an important distinction, Mr. President.

 Senator Tañada. Yes, Mr. President. I would just want to propose to the Sponsor of this amendment to
consider, perhaps, defining what this service-related offenses would be under the Articles of War. And so, I
would submit for her consideration the following amendment to her amendment which would read as follows:
AS USED IN THIS SECTION, SERVICE-CONNECTED CRIMES OR OFFENSES SHALL BE LIMITED TO
THOSE DEFINED IN ARTICLES 54 TO 70, ARTICLES 72 TO 75, ARTICLES 76 TO 83 AND ARTICLES 84
TO 92, AND ARTICLES 95 TO 97, COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 408 AS AMENDED.

This would identify, I mean, specifically, what these service-related or connected offenses or crimes would be.

The President. What will happen to the definition of "service-connected offense" already put forward by
Senator Shahani?

Senator Tañada. I believe that would be incorporated in the specification of the Article I have mentioned in the
Articles of War.

SUSPENSION OF THE SESSION

The President. Will the Gentleman kindly try to work it out between the two of you? I will suspend the session
for a minute, if there is no objection. [There was none.]

It was 5:02 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF THE SESSION

At 5:06 p.m., the session was resumed.

The President. The session is resumed.

Senator Tañada. Mr. President, Senator Shahani has graciously accepted my amendment to her amendment,
subject to refinement and style.

The President. Is there any objection? [Silence] There being none, the amendment is approved.22

In the same session, Senator Wigberto E. Tañada, the principal sponsor of SB No. 1468, emphasized:

Senator Tañada. Section 1, already provides that crimes of offenses committed by persons subject to military
law ... will be tried by the civil courts, except, those which are service-related or connected. And we specified
which would be considered service-related or connected under the Articles of War, Commonwealth Act No.
408.23

It is clear from the foregoing that Rep. Act No. 7055 did not divest the military courts of jurisdiction to try cases
involving violations of Articles 54 to 70, Articles 72 to 92 and Articles 95 to 97 of the Articles of War as these are
considered "service-connected crimes or offenses." In fact, it mandates that these shall be tried by the court-martial.

Indeed, jurisdiction is the power and authority of the court to hear, try and decide a case.24 Moreover, jurisdiction
over the subject matter or nature of the action is conferred only by the Constitution or by law.25 It cannot be (1)
granted by the agreement of the parties; (2) acquired, waived, enlarged or diminished by any act or omission of the
parties; or (3) conferred by the acquiescence of the courts.26 Once vested by law on a particular court or body, the
jurisdiction over the subject matter or nature of the action cannot be dislodged by any body other than by the
legislature through the enactment of a law. The power to change the jurisdiction of the courts is a matter of
legislative enactment which none but the legislature may do. Congress has the sole power to define, prescribe and
apportion the jurisdiction of the courts.27

In view of the clear mandate of Rep. Act No. 7055, the RTC (Branch 148) cannot divest the General Court-Martial of
its jurisdiction over those charged with violations of Articles 63 (Disrespect Toward the President etc.), 64
(Disrespect Toward Superior Officer), 67 (Mutiny or Sedition), 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a
Gentleman) and 97 (General Article) of the Articles of War, as these are specifically included as "service-connected
offenses or crimes" under Section 1 thereof. Pursuant to the same provision of law, the military courts have
jurisdiction over these crimes or offenses.

There was no factual and legal basis for the RTC (Branch 148) to rule that violations of Articles 63, 64, 67, 96, and
97 of the Articles of War were committed in furtherance of coup d’etat and, as such, absorbed by the latter crime. It
bears stressing that, after a reinvestigation, the Panel of Prosecutors found no probable cause for coup d’etat
against the petitioners and recommended the dismissal of the case against them. The trial court approved the
recommendation and dismissed the case as against the petitioners. There is, as yet, no evidence on record that the
petitioners committed the violations of Articles 63, 64, 96, and 97 of the Articles of War in furtherance of coup d’etat.

In fine, in making the sweeping declaration that these charges were not service-connected, but rather absorbed and
in furtherance of the crime of coup d’etat, the RTC (Branch 148) acted without or in excess of jurisdiction. Such
declaration is, in legal contemplation, necessarily null and void and does not exist.28

At this point, a review of its legislative history would put in better perspective the raison d’etre of Rep. Act No. 7055.
As early as 1938, jurisdiction over offenses punishable under CA 408, as amended, also known as the Articles of
War, committed by "persons subject to military law" was vested on the military courts. Thereafter, then President
Ferdinand E. Marcos promulgated Presidential Decree (PD) Nos. 1822,29 185030 and 1852.31 These presidential
decrees transferred from the civil courts to the military courts jurisdiction over all offenses committed by members of
the AFP, the former Philippine Constabulary, the former Integrated National Police, including firemen, jail guards and
all persons subject to military law.

In 1991, after a series of failed coup d’etats, Rep. Act No. 7055 was enacted. In his sponsorship speech, Senator
Tañada explained the intendment of the law, thus:

Senator Tañada. The long and horrible nightmare of the past continues to haunt us to this present day. Its
vestiges remain instituted in our legal and judicial system. Draconian decrees which served to prolong the
past dictatorial regime subsist to rule our new-found lives. Two of these decrees, Presidential Decree No.
1822 and Presidential Decree No. 1850, as amended, remain intact as laws, in spite of the fact that four years
have passed since we regained our democratic freedom.

The late Mr. Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee enunciated in the case of Olaguer vs. Military Commission No.
34 that "the greatest threat to freedom is the shortness of human memory."

PD No. 1822 and PD No. 1850 made all offenses committed by members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, the Philippine Constabulary, the Integrated National Police, including firemen and jail guards, and
all persons subject to military law exclusively triable by military courts though, clearly, jurisdiction over
common crimes rightly belongs to civil courts.

Article II, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution provides that civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the
military. Likewise, Article VIII, Section 1 declares that "the judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme
Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law."

In the case of Anima vs. The Minister of National Defense, (146 Supreme Court Reports Annotated, page
406), the Supreme Court through Mr. Justice Gutierrez declared:

The jurisdiction given to military tribunals over common crimes at a time when all civil courts were fully
operational and freely functioning constitutes one of the saddest chapters in the history of the Philippine
Judiciary.

The downgrading of judicial prestige caused by the glorification of military tribunals ... the many judicial
problems spawned by extended authoritarian rule which effectively eroded judicial independence and self-
respect will require plenty of time and determined efforts to cure.

The immediate return to civil courts of all cases which properly belong to them is only a beginning.

...

Thus, as long as the civil courts in the land remain open and are regularly functioning, military tribunals
cannot try and exercise jurisdiction over military men for criminal offenses committed by them which are
properly cognizable by the civil courts. ...32

Clearly, in enacting Rep. Act No. 7055, the lawmakers merely intended to return to the civilian courts the jurisdiction
over those offenses that have been traditionally within their jurisdiction, but did not divest the military courts
jurisdiction over cases mandated by the Articles of War.

Conclusion

The writs of prohibition (G.R. No. 162318) and habeas corpus (G.R. No. 162341) prayed for by the petitioners must
perforce fail. As a general rule, the writ of habeas corpus will not issue where the person alleged to be restrained of
his liberty is in the custody of an officer under a process issued by the court which has jurisdiction to do so.33
Further, the writ of habeas corpus should not be allowed after the party sought to be released had been charged
before any court or quasi-judicial body.34 The term "court" necessarily includes the General Court-Martial. These
rules apply to Capt. Reaso, et al., as they are under detention pursuant to the Commitment Order dated August 2,
2003 issued by respondent Chief of Staff of the AFP pursuant to Article 7035 of the Articles of War.

On the other hand, the office of the writ of prohibition is to prevent inferior courts, corporations, boards or persons
from usurping or exercising a jurisdiction or power with which they have not been vested by law.36 As earlier
discussed, the General Court-Martial has jurisdiction over the charges filed against petitioners 1Lt. Navales, et al.
under Rep. Act No. 7055. A writ of prohibition cannot be issued to prevent it from exercising its jurisdiction.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petitions are hereby DISMISSED.

SO ORDERED.

Davide, Jr., Puno, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Ynares-Santiago, Sandoval-Gutierrez, Carpio, Austria-Martinez,

Corona, Carpio Morales, Azcuna*, Tinga, Chico-Nazario, and Garcia, JJ., concur.

Footnotes
*
On leave.
1 Rollo, p. 18. (G.R. No. 162341)

2 On August 19, 2004, Capt. Ruperto L. Reaso filed with this Court a Motion to Withdraw as One of the
Petitioners in G.R. No. 162341 and prayed that the law office of Atty. Pulido be enjoined from representing
him.

3 Rollo, p. 18. (G.R. No. 162341)

4 The narration of the events that transpired on July 27, 2003 is largely taken from THE REPORT OF THE
FACT-FINDING COMMISSION dated October 15, 2003. The Fact-Finding Commission, headed by Retired
Senior Associate Justice Florentino P. Feliciano, was created under Administrative Order No. 78 dated July
30, 2003 of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the "Oakwood Incident."

5 Rollo, pp. 18-29. (G.R. No. 162318)

6 The accusatory portion reads:

That on or about July 27, 2003 or on dates prior and subsequent thereto, in Makati City, a place within
the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, above-named accused, all officers and enlisted men of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), conspiring, confederating and mutually helping one another, did
then and there, willfully, unlawfully, feloniously and swiftly attack and seize by means of intimidation,
threat, strategy, or stealth the Ayala Center, particularly Oakwood Premier Hotel and its immediate
vicinity, a facility needed for the exercise and continued possession of power, and directed against the
duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines, rise publicly and take arms against the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines, demanding the resignation of the President and
members of her official cabinet and top officials of the AFP and Philippine National Police, for the
purpose of seizing and diminishing state power.

CONTRARY TO LAW.

7 Rollo, p. 100. (G.R. No. 162318)

8 ART. 134-A. Coup d’etat – How committed. – The crime of coup d’etat is a swift attack, accompanied by
violence, intimidation, threat, strategy or stealth, directed against duly constituted authorities of the Republic
of the Philippines, or any military camp or installation, communications networks, public utilities or other
facilities needed for the exercise and continued possession of power, singly or simultaneously carried out
anywhere in the Philippines by any person or persons, belonging to the military or police or holding any public
office or employment, with or without civilian support or participation, for the purpose of seizing or diminishing
state power. (As added by RA No. 6968, 86 OG 52, p. 9864 [1990].)

9 Rollo, pp. 63-66. (G.R. No. 162318)

10 Id. at 57-62.

11 The accusatory portion reads:

That on or about July 27, 2003, and on dates prior and subsequent thereto, in Makati City, a place
within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, above-named accused, all officers and enlisted men of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with several John Does and Jane Does,
conspiring, conniving, confederating and mutually helping one another, each committing individual acts
toward a common design or purpose of committing coup d’etat, by did then and there, knowingly,
willfully, unlawfully, feloniously plan, orchestrate, recruit, instigate, mobilize, deploy and execute said
common design or purpose of committing coup d’etat, swiftly attack and seize by means of force,
intimidation, threat, strategy, or stealth the facilities of the Ayala Center, particularly Oakwood Premier
Hotel and its immediate vicinity, for the exercise and continued possession of power, directed against
the duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines, by did then and there, withdraw
support and demand the resignation of PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO and members
of her official cabinet and top officials of the AFP and the Philippine National Police, for the purpose of
seizing or diminishing state power.

CONTRARY TO LAW.

12 Rollo, pp. 31-51. (G.R. No. 162318)

13 Id. at 70.

14 Id. at 72.

15 Petition in G.R. No. 162318, p. 7; Petition in G.R. 162341, p. 11.

16 Petition in G.R. No. 162341, p. 13.

 17 Infra.

18 An Act to Strengthen Civilian Supremacy Over the Military by Returning to the Civil Courts the Jurisdiction
Over Certain Offense Involving Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Other Persons Subject to
Military Law, and the Members of the Philippine National Police, Repealing for the Purpose Certain
Presidential Decrees.

19 Rollo, pp. 68-69. (G.R. No. 162318)

20 Orquiola v. Court of Appeals, 386 SCRA 301 (2002).

21 Supra at 19.

22 Record of the Senate, Vol. IV, No. 122, May 21, 1990, p. 837.

23 Id. at 839.

24 Platinum Tours and Travel, Inc. v. Panlilio, 411 SCRA 142 (2003).

25 Republic v. Estipular, 336 SCRA 333 (2000).

26 Ibid.

27 Zamora v. Court of Appeals, 183 SCRA 279 (1990).

28 See People v. Velasco, 340 SCRA 207 (2000).

29 Providing for the Trial by Courts-Martial of Members of the Armed Forces Charged with Offenses Related
to the Performance of their Duties (January 16, 1981).

30 Providing for the Trial by Courts-Martial of Members of the Integrated National Police and Further Defining
the Jurisdiction of Courts-Martial over Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (October 4, 1982).

31 Amending Section 1 of P.D. No. 1850 (September 5, 1984).

32 Record of the Senate, Vol. IV, No. 116, May 9, 1990, pp. 670-671.

33 Serapio v. Sandiganbayan, 396 SCRA 443 (2003).

34 Rodriguez v. Bonifacio, 344 SCRA 519 (2000).

35 The provision reads:

Art. 70. Arrest or Confinement. – Any person subject to military law charged with crime or with a
serious offense under these articles shall be placed in confinement or in arrest, as circumstances may
require; but when charged with a minor offense only, such person shall not ordinarily be placed in
confinement. Any person placed in arrest under the provisions of this article shall thereby be restricted
to his barracks, quarters, or tent, unless such limits shall be enlarged by proper authority. Any officer or
cadet who breaks his arrest or who escapes from confinement, whether before or after trial or sentence
and before he is set at liberty by proper authority, shall be dismissed from the service or suffer such
other punishment as a court-martial may direct, and any other person subject of the military law who
escapes from confinement or who breaks his arrest, whether before or after trial or sentence and
before he is set at liberty by proper authority, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

36 Matuguina Integrated Wood Products, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 263 SCRA 490 (1996).

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