RESEARCH REPORT IN (CD16) ARSON INVESTIGATION
ARSON CASE TITLE: People of the Philippines vs. Pedro Cedenio, Felipe Antipolo,
and Jurito Amarga
SOURCE: https://jur.ph/jurisprudence/summary/people-v-cedenio-y-rasonable
DATE SUBMITTED: May 20, 2025
NARRATIVE STATEMENT
A. SYNOPSIS
On the night of November 26, 1986, at approximately 10:30 PM, in Barangay
Gandingan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, a gruesome crime occurred wherein Pedro
Cedenio y Rasonable, Felipe Antipolo y Misa, and Jurito Amarga y Bahi-an, along with
other unidentified accomplices, attacked and killed five members of the Dorio family and
burned their house.
Witnesses testified that the three accused were seen fleeing from the burning
residence of Hilario Dorio, armed with bloodstained bolos, shortly after cries for help
were heard and the house caught fire. The victims—Hilario Dorio, Flora Dorio, Maria
Dorio, Nicanora Tabanao, and a 22-day-old infant, Dioscora Dorio—were all found dead
in the burned remains. Four of them bore stab and hack wounds; the infant was found
charred but without external injuries, indicating death by suffocation or burning.
The motive behind the crime appeared to stem from the belief that the Dorios
were a family of sorcerers, which fueled the offenders’ intent to kill and conceal the
murders by setting the house on fire. Investigation showed evident premeditation, as
evidenced by Cedenio borrowing a bolo hours before the incident and later returning it
stained with blood. The crime was committed in the victims’ dwelling, an aggravating
circumstance.
The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the accused were guilty of four counts
of murder, qualified by evident premeditation, and one count of arson resulting in death,
and imposed reclusion perpetua for each crime due to the proscription of the death
penalty at the time.
B. WHO WAS THE ACCUSED? THE COMPLAINANT?
The accused in this case were Pedro Cedenio y Rasonable, Felipe Antipolo y
Misa, and Jurito Amarga y Bahi-an, all residents of the same barangay. The complainant
in this criminal case was the People of the Philippines, represented by the Prosecutor,
as it was a criminal case involving multiple counts of murder and arson.
C. ESTIMATED DAMAGE/ NAMES OF VICTIMS (Injured, Fatalities)
The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of five individuals: Hilario Dorio, Flora
Dorio, Maria Dorio, Nicanora Tabanao, and an infant, Dioscora Dorio. All five perished
during the violent attack and subsequent fire that engulfed their residence. Fortunately,
no injuries were reported aside from the fatalities. While the exact monetary value of the
property damage was not specified, it was established that the entire house of the Dorio
family was completely destroyed by the fire, marking a total loss of their home and
possessions.
D. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE CASE?
As of the final judgment rendered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in
1995, the case has reached its conclusion. The accused, namely Pedro Cedenio, Felipe
Antipolo, and Jurito Amarga, were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of four counts
of murder and arson resulting in death. The Court affirmed the decision of the lower
court, sentencing each of the accused to reclusion perpetua for each count of murder
and an additional reclusion perpetua for arson.
With the Supreme Court’s decision being final and executory, the case is now
closed, and the convicts are serving their respective sentences. No further appeals or
motions were entertained following the promulgation of judgment.
E. IF IT’S A COURT DECIDED CASE WHAT TYPE OF ARSON IS COMMITTED?
PENALTY/IES?
The crime committed was classified as simple arson resulting in death under
Presidential Decree No. 1613 for the infant victim, and four counts of murder for the
adult victims, as the fire was used as a means to kill. The court imposed four counts of
reclusion perpetua for murder and one count for arson, all to be served consecutively. In
addition, the accused were ordered to pay P50,000 in civil damages for each deceased
victim to their respective heirs.
CHRISTIAN J. MINA Ret Col PEPE G. REBUSA OSHP,MPA
STUDENT INSTRUCTOR
