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Malik, a site supervisor at a construction project, directs his subordinate Lila to steal copper cables from the site storage yard. Lila forcibly enters the yard at night and takes copper cables worth PHP 96,000. Malik did not personally enter the storage yard but planned the theft, supplied a lock-picking toolkit, and organized the operation. Lila is apprehended and charged with theft.
(a) Identify the principal actors and classify their roles under Philippine criminal law. Are Malik and Lila principals or is one an accomplice?
(b) What is the governing doctrine on primary versus subsidiary liability for the described roles? Apply the rule to determine whether Malik has criminal liability given his lack of direct participation.
(c) If Lila were a minor, discuss whether there is subsidiary civil liability on the part of Malik or the site owner for the resulting damages, and explain the civil–criminal distinction.