The family of Amier Mangacop, a Grade 9 student who was shot dead at a bar in Davao City on Saturday dawn, July 2, questioned the police report that states that the suspect fired his gun as an act of self-defense.
Lawyer Gibb Andrew Cabahug, the family's legal counsel, said in a press conference on Friday, July 8 that the report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) contradicts what transpired during the incident.
Cabahug said their report made Mangacop the suspect, and the shooter, Marvin Rey Pepino, a doctor non-uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao, the victim.
"Because the PNP, in adopting the defense of the accused na it was self-defense of the part of the accused, is making the accused the victim when the accused is the unlawful aggressor in this case --- in the true narrative," he said.
The lawyer said the family is not capable of making any form of relation, contrary to the statement of the police, and some of those on social media.
"It's apparent how Amierkhan is the victim. It's really unfair how, not only the PNP, [but also] how other people made judgment against their family, and how their family was demonized; and how the accused was made a victim, who was really forced to defend himself, is not true. Hindi si Amierkhan ang unlawful aggresor dito. 'Yung unlawful aggressor dito is ang suspect. (It’s not Amierkhan who is the unlawful aggressor, but the suspect.)," Cabahug said.
"They are not in danger to the life and security of the accused, because they are not in the position to make those kinds of actions," Cabahug also said.
He said this had led the family to seek help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao to take over in investigating the case due to their dissatisfaction "with the narrative being released to the media."
The family is encouraging the people and those who were with the victim at the time of the shooting to come out and give their statements and coordinate with them.
Family speaks up
Anwar Mangacop, the victim's uncle and guardian, was emotional about the loss of his nephew, whom he took care of when the latter moved to Davao City.
Anwar said he took care of his nephew, who had to be separated from his parents because they are unable to send their son to school.
He said Mangacop helped him in his livelihood as a landscaper.
He also shared how the victim wanted to be a seafarer to help his family.
"Very promising pa ang kinabuhi sa akoang pag-umangkon, na [ang] nipusil ra kay doctor pa gyud. Maong siya unta og save og kinabuhi, dili kay mupatay. Mao na kinahanglan gyud siya og hustisya para kay Amierkhan (My nephew had a very promising. He died in the hands of a doctor, who was supposed to save lives not kill. We seek justice for Amierkhan),” Anwar said.
He also belied early reports "demonizing" his nephew, alleging that they are drunkards or drug addicts.
Anwar also questioned the police's statement saying that the suspect’s actions were in self-defense.
"Binaril ni Dr. Marvin Ray Pepino og seven times. Asa man ang self-defense ato? (He was shot seven times. How is that self-defense?)," he said.
As the case is currently being investigated, he said the family is appealing for a fair trial.
The parents, whose names were not provided to the media for their protection, were also emotional.
Right after the press conference, the family went to the NBI to formally file their complaint.
SunStar Davao reached out to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for their statement, but they have not responded as of writing. RGL