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ISSUE: Whether or not the warrantless search and seizure conducted is lawful.
RULING:
What ASAC agents did was a faithful performance of a duty authorized under the Tariff and Customs
Code directing them as authorized agents to retrieve articles reasonably suspected of having been
possessed, issued or procured in violation of the tariff laws for which the government has a direct interest.
The circumstances of the case at bar undoubtedly fall squarely within the privileged area where search
and seizure may lawfully be effected without the need of a warrant. The facts being no less receptive to
the applicability of the classic American ruling, the latter's force and effect as well as the Mago decision
must be upheld and reiterated in this petition. the find that the constitutional guarantee has not been
violated and the respondent court gravely erred in issuing the order of August 20, 1975 declaring as
inadmissible evidence the items or articles obtained and seized by the apprehending agents without any
search warrant, as well as the pictures of said items attempted to be presented as evidence against the
accused.
WHEREFORE, the Order appealed from is hereby set aside and the case is ordered remanded for further
trial and reception of evidence without excluding the articles subject of the seizure or for such action as
the prosecution may take after the re-assessment and re-evaluation of its evidence as hereinabove
directed.