to their eventual arrest and conviction. G.R. No. 112262 April 2, 1996 Relevant Issue: TOPIC: RIGHTS UNDER CUSTODIAL INVESTIGATION Was there a violation of the rights of the accused when he executed the said confession? Summary: Ruling: Yes This case is an instant appeal of the decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) finding the accused Camat guilty of Ratio: the special complex crime of robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide. The accused alleges that the court erred in The trial court cannot rely on the extrajudicial confession admitting as evidence the extrajudicial confession of the accused of appellant Camat as a basis for their conviction because such since the same was obtained in violation of his rights. The SC confession was obtained during custodial investigation in agrees with this contention however the evidences where strong violation of their constitutional rights. In the case at bar absent enough even without the confession is the showing that appellants were duly advised of the mandatory guarantees under the Bill of Rights, their confessions Doctrine: made before Patrolman Cariño are inadmissible against them and cannot be used in support of their conviction. This is in view The accused has the right to be informed about his rights of the rights of the accused as provided in the case of Enrile: and he must be able to duly exercise the same. In cases where the accused was duly informed and thereafter executed an At the time a person is arrested, it shall be the duty of the extrajudicial admission with the assistance of a counsel, such arresting officer to inform him of the reason for the arrest and he admission is admissible as evidence in court. Also the right to must be shown the warrant of arrest, if any. He shall be informed confront a witness against the accused is limited to the trial and of his constitutional rights to remain silent and to counsel, and does not cover custodial investigation. that any statement he might make could be used against him. The person arrested shall have the right to communicate with his Facts: lawyer, a relative, or anyone he chooses by the most expedient The victims Sinoy and Penalver were walking along means - by telephone if possible - or by letter or messenger. It Quirino Ave. when they observed that the accused and another shall be the duty of the arresting officer to see to it that this is companion seems to be following them. In order for them to get accomplished. No custodial investigation shall be conducted away from those who were tailing them the victims crossed the unless it be in the presence of counsel engaged by the person street but the accused persisted and followed them as they cross arrested, by any person on his behalf, or appointed by the court the street eventually they commenced with their plan which is to upon petition either of the detainee himself or by anyone on his rob the victims and to kill them afterwards. They then went away behalf. The right to counsel may be waived but the waiver shall not be valid unless made with the assistance of counsel. Any statement obtained in violation of the procedure herein laid down, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, in whole or in part, shall be inadmissible in evidence. It is also important to note that the right of confrontation is specified as a right of the accused at the trial. It must be reiterated that an accused's constitutional right to meet the witnesses face to face is limited to proceedings before the trial court. Accordingly, appellants' reliance upon this constitutional right is evidently misplaced as the same is available to him at the trial and not during a custodial investigation.