Requisites of self-defense

Self-defense is a time-worn excuse resorted to by assailants in criminal cases.[1] The Supreme Court held in a host of instances that for self-defense to prosper, the following requisites must be met:(1) unlawful aggression on the part of the victim;
(2) reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel the attack; and 
(3) lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the person engaged in self-defense.[2]

[1] People vs. Maalat, 341 Phil. 200 (1997).

[2] People vs. Angeles, G.R. No. 109660, 01 July 1997, 275 SCRA 19; People vs. Maalat, 341 Phil. 200 (1997); People vs. Unarce, 339 Phil. 826 (1997); 337 Phil. 430 (1997); People vs. Nalangan, 336 Phil. 970 (1997); People vs. Tobias, 334 Phil. 851 (1997); People vs. Cahindo, 334 Phil. 507 (1997); and People v. Supremo, G.R. No. 100915, 31 May 1995.