PNP vows legal support to Espenido amid homicide raps

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to give support to Ozamiz City Police Director Jovie Espenido and two other police officers who are facing homicide charges over the killing of six drug and robbery suspects in June 2017.

“Definitely, we will support our people in their legal struggle lalo na ang kanilang legal struggle ay as a result of the performance of duty,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr.

“Meron po tayong legal service sa PNP and, of course, having a legal counsel they should have familiarity and confidence who will represent in court. So depende yan kay Espenido if he wants to avail of the services of the legal service. At the same time, if he wants to hire a lawyer, that depends on him. Probably, the PNP can support him not actually represent him in court but to provide him with some legal advice from the legal service,” he added.

In a resolution dated July 30 but released on Thursday, September 20, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant State Prosecutor Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon said they found probable cause in charging Espenido, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr. and Police Officer 1 Sandra Nadayag with six counts of homicide.

The charges were filed against them by Carmelita Manzano, wife of one of the six alleged drug suspects who were killed in a raid in Barangay Cabinti, Ozamis City, on June 1, 2017 while they were having a birthday celebration in their house.

Among those killed were Manzano’s husband Fancracio, her son Jerry, her daughter’s common-law spouse Victorino Mira Jr., her nephew Lito Manisan, her niece’s common-law husband Romeo Libaton, and a certain Alvin Lapeña.

The DOJ, though, junked the charges of murder and arbitrary detention against the three policemen for "lack of probable cause."

During the said raid, Espenido said they are conducting a “hot pursuit” operations against robbery suspects and that the killing of the suspects was triggered by the latter firing against the police.

Sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) were reportedly found in Manzano’s residence during the raid.

Espenido also led the drug raid against the slain Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog that also ended bloody.

Fifteen persons, including Parojinog and his wife, were killed during the said operation, while his other family members, including his daughter Vice Mayor Nova Princess and son Reynaldo Jr., were arrested.

The Parojinogs were implicated in the drug operations, with Mayor Reynaldo included in President Rodrigo Duterte's list of narco politicians. (SunStar Philippines)

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