PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar vowed that the organization will not shield seven police personnel from the murder and frustrated murder complaints filed against them for the March 8 slay of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.
“Haharapin nila ang kasong isinampa sa kanila. Sinisiguro ko po sa inyo na hindi pagtatakpan ng PNP ang mga pulis na umano’y sangkot sa pagpaslang kay Mayor Aquino,” PGen Eleazar said.
“Katotohanan at hustisya rin po ang aming hangad para sa insidenteng ito dahil kasama sa mga nasawi ay mga tauhan namin. Parusahan kung sino ang dapat parusahan but in the meantime, let these cases take their course in the proper forum,” he added.
On Thursday, June 10, the National Bureau of Investigation filed murder and frustrated murder complaints in the Department of Justice against seven police officers. The NBI based its conclusion on 53 statements, CCTV footage of the incident, and information from the cellphones they had obtained.
PGen Eleazar said he has directed the concerned police officials and personnel to make themselves available for any further investigation on the incident, including the Senate inquiry.
“I also directed the Regional Director, Police Regional Office 8 and Director, Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to place implicated PNP personnel under their restrictive custody,” said PGen Eleazar.
“Habang gumugulong ang mga kasong ito, ang focus natin ay magpatuloy ang tama at maayos na serbisyo ng ating kapulisan sa mga kababayan natin sa Calbayog City at Samar,” he added.
Aquino and his companions were shot to death on Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy last March 8.
A whistleblower, Police MSG Jose Jay Scenario, claimed that Aquino’s political rival had coordinated with PNP personnel to obtain a search warrant against the mayor and tag him as the protector of a policeman involved in the illegal drug trade.He also alleged that the ambush on the mayor had long been planned. | PR/Photo Courtesy: rappler.com
