People vs. Sitco and Bagtas,

G.R. 178202, May 14, 2010

In a buy bust operation to apprehend Sitco and Bagtas, the post buyer was PO3 Alan, who happened to be a rogue cop having been arrested for indulging in a pot session per his own admission then eventually charged and dismissed from the police service.

The rule is that prosecutions involving illegal drugs depend largely on the credibility of the police buy-bust operators and that the trial court’s finding on the credibility of a police-witness deserves respect, acquittal or the least liability is in order when there are circumstances that would support a reasonable doubt in favor of the accused like in this case where PO3 Alan’s credibility is under a heavy cloud because of his involvement in illegal drugs.

The constitutional presumption of innocence requires courts to take a more casual consideration of every circumstance or doubt proving the innocence of an accused.