MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Glenn Chong is set to file a petition before the Court of Appeals in relation to the killing of his long-time security aide Richard Santillan.
Chong said in a news forum on Sunday that he would file a habeas data in order to force the police to release the basis of their claims that Santillan died in a shootout.
According to police investigation, Santillan died during a legitimate police operation against “Highway Boys,” a criminal group involved in robbery, illegal drug trade, and murder in Rizal and eastern parts of Metro Manila.
READ: Ex-solon says aide slain in shootout not a criminal
However, Chong believes that Santillan did not die that way.
“We have reasons to believe — and this is not just one , or two, or three, — that Richard Santillan was abducted, tortured, executed and set-up, and I stand with my word, and I will prove that,” Chong said.
The claim of Chong that Santillan was tortured stemmed after he saw that one of the toenails of Santillan was removed by his killers.
READ: Lawyer to file murder raps vs police in killing of aide
Further, Chong also claimed that the trajectory of the bullets that entered Santillan’s vehicle was inconsistent to the wounds of his aide.
Santillan obtained at least 15 gunshot wounds in his upper part of the body and his thighs.
“Kahit na sino na masasagasaan, sasagasan ko talaga, walang mawawala na sa’kin,” Chong said.
“I’m grieving, and I will not stop until justice is obtained. Tigilan na ang kabalastugan na ito,” he added. /je