AN OFFICIAL of the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) on Tuesday, November 13, said two members of the Tagoloan town police and two other civilians have been implicated in the killing of three young men in Bukidnon.
Superintendent Surki Serenas, PRO-10 spokesperson, said they could not name the policemen and the civilians yet because the relatives of the victims identified them only through their surnames.
He said the two police officers would be placed under restricted custody as soon as formal complaints are filed and if evidence of guilt is strong.
"As of the moment it would be unfair to assume that they are responsible," Serenas said.
Serenas said the Malitbog, Bukidnon town police is still investigating the killing.
The bodies of Vincent Viemen, Clifford Abales and Don Remar Andales were found at a cliff in Sitio Bagong Silang, Sta. Ines, Bukidnon last November 6. All three victims hailed from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
"The chief of police of Malitbog said 2 policemen and 2 other civilians were being implicated," Serenas said.
"The chief of police of Malitbog had a meeting with the relatives last week but no case has been lodged yet. Accordingly, the relatives are considering to bring the case to the National Bureau of Investigation," he added.
The victims' relatives are also thinking of seeking help from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Relatives of the victims are convinced that some members of the Tagoloan police had a hand in the killing.
They insisted that the three failed to return home after they were invited for questioning by the Tagoloan police.
Serenas said the investigators did not mention whether there are witnesses who could substantiate the claims of the victims' families.
He added that he has no information on whether the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (PPO) has recommended the activation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) which will focus on the case.
"Usually ang PPO and mag-recommend sa activation sa SITG,"he added.