CRIMINAL PROCEDURE JD 105

Court Observation Narrative Report

Prepared by Kwen Ashbelle A. Cansancio of 1L, Block C

This report is submitted to fulfill our assignment for the subject of Criminal Procedure
JD-105, under Judge Bollozos.

On the 5th of September 2023, my classmates– Gontiñas, Palma, Tizon, and Paler, and I
visited Cagayan de Oro City’s Hall of Justice for our very first court observation. We initially
struggled to find a Branch Court where we were allowed to enter due to the courtrooms
being full of both students and witnesses of the scheduled cases.

The staff were amiable and advised us on other possible days of the week we could sit in
their respective court branches. However, while acquainting ourselves with the area, we
were able to luck out on MTCC Branch 7 which handled many arraignment cases for that
day.

The court’s clerk called the names and offenses twice for eight different arraignments of
traffic violations but the subjects were not around so they skipped those after confirming
the absence of the parties involved. When the ninth in schedule was called, the accused,
Reynald Dejos, came forward to present himself before the court. Dejos was asked if he had
counsel, in which his attorney also confirmed his attendance.

This was meant to be both a joint arraignment and pre-trial for both Reynald Dejos and
Eggie Pacudan. However, only Dejos was in attendance. Both Dejos and Pacudan are
accused of (1) slight physical injuries, (2) possession of illegal firearms in violation of Section
3, R.A. 10591, and (3) direct assault upon the arrest.

This was a warrantless arrest. Therefore, an inquest proceeding was due. The prosecution
presented the two arresting officers who had apprehended Dejos as witnesses along with
the affidavits of complaint from the private complainant, joint affidavit of apprehension, and
pictures of the private complainant in relation to the offense.

During the arraignment proper, the fiscal was asked by the judge to reaffirm the joint trial
due to the nature that the three cases were committed on the same day and were
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE JD 105

connected offenses. It was pointed out that the slight physical injuries required the joint
evidence while the direct assault will be presented with the arresting officers as witnesses.

The clerk read to Dejos his offense both in English and Bisaya: where Dejos punched the
private complainant several times on the 6th of August in Zone 3, Bayabas. This caused the
complainant to be unable to do his daily tasks and is in need of medical care. The clerk also
read that he was charged with direct assault of a person in authority. The fiscal chimed in
with his offense on the accused possessing a firearm without a permit, with a side
comment that even those tasked in force are required to be able to present their permits.

Dejos was then asked both times, “Naka sala ka or wala?” to which he denied. Thus, the
clerk confirmed that he entered the plea of not guilty.

The arraignment then proceeded to a pre-trial which my classmates and I followed through
as both fiscal and defense presented their roster of evidence. It was then that we knew that
Dejos was a member of the Philippine Army and that his firearm was issued by the
government.

In the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the judge informed both fiscal and
defense that they had six trial dates arranged from the 11th of October to January 2024. The
court issued a subpoena, informing Dejos that he must show up when summoned and that
he should inform his counsel should he be unavailable to attend.

Although our class has not fully delved into the process of pre-trial, it was encouraging to
witness arraignment live. The experience allowed us to materialize what we were studying
under Criminal Procedure and respect the vocation of becoming lawyers, judges, and
prosecutors; social healers. This also allowed me to appreciate the law, due process, and the
procedures guiding it. I hope to not only observe these again someday but also be part of
this noble calling.