SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday asserted the need to bring to court those police officers allegedly being linked to crimes specifically extrajudicial killings, insisting that the courts are the proper venue to resolve the guilt or innocence of these people.
Lacson, a top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said any police officer being linked to any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Lacson's reaction came during the hearing on the controversial killing of Kian Loyd Delos Santos, the 17-year-old student from Caloocan city who was allegedly killed by three Caloocan policemen.
"As a matter of course and system, those police officers being linked to any crime must be investigated. That is why we are bringing this thing to court. There is a presumption of innocence but it is important that the court decide based on evidence and facts," Lacson said as he warned that he will not hesitate to continuously hold investigations if the extrajudicial killings will continue.
Lacson is the chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, which is investigating the drug war deaths.
"If there are similar cases of Kian and Carl (Angelo Arnaiz), magkikita kita pa rin tayo dito," Lacson warned as he reminded the PNP to know their oath.
During the hearing, the PNP agreed to turn over the complete record of spot reports of the more than 2,000 drug related killings.
PNP chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa confirmed there were about 2,216 that died from legitimate police operation since June of last year.
In the same hearing, several senators expressed frustrations on the killing spree that is happening everywhere.
Senators Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Risa Hontiveros echoed the same view during the hearing as they called the PNP to explain why the killing of Arnaiz seems to be a repeat of the Delos Santos' killing and in the same area reportedly.
Senator Villanueva said it is high time that the PNP stop putting the law in the triggers of their guns and in their hands.
"We must always remember that the law is created for the people and not against them," Villanueva said as he explained that the recent injustices that happened clearly call for a re-evaluation of the sworn duty of the supposed protectors of our country.
Senator Poe, for her part, said taxi driver Tomas Bagcal, 54, should be invited to the hearing citing the fact that he gave two different locations where Arnaiz allegedly robbed him on August 18 when he gave his first statement and last August 29 after his body was identified by the relatives.
Poe said it is important that the driver be invited by the committee because of the conflicting statements he issued on two separate occasions.
Based on reports, Bagcal first claimed that he cannot remember the description of the robber who took his wallet but on August 29, when he was invited again, the driver already gave specific details that described Arnaiz.
Those police officers involved in the case of Arnaiz include Police Officer (PO) 1 Ricky Arquilita and PO1 Jeffrey Perez.
Poe also grilled PO2 King Bautista, reportedly the night shift investigator who conducted the investigation on Arnaiz killing last
August 18.
"Bakit hindi man lang nakuha yung plate number at pangalan ng taxi pati address ng driver," Poe asked Bautista where he admitted committing some lapses.
In the same hearing, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to launch its preliminary investigation into the murder and torture charges filed against Delos Santos' allegedly killers that include Senior Police Officer 1 Jerwin Cruz, PO3 Arnel Oares and P01 Jeremias Pereda; and Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo.
"September 14 preliminary investigation and family can appeal depending on the outcome of the investigation," Aguirre said. (SunStar Philippines)