PNP files homicide case against 10 cops in death of Laguna minor

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar during a Senate hearing. Senate PRIB file photo / Joseph Vidal

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that it has filed a homicide complaint against 10 police officers who were accused of killing 16-year-old Johndie Maglinte Helis during an anti-drug operation in Biñan, Laguna.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said that the PNP Calabarzon Investigation Task Group filed the complaint before the Biñan City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, July 5. The complaint was based on the mother’s complaint-affidavit.

Eleazar urged the family and the public to allow the City Prosecutor to assess the complaint and decide if it deserves further action.

“For now, hayaan nating gumulong ang kaso ng mga pulis na kinasuhan at hintayin natin ang magiging resolution nito (let’s wait for the case of the cops charged and for its resolution). Let us allow the City Prosecutor to appreciate the submitted evidence and facts of the incident,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar then added that the complaint shows that under his watch, the PNP does not tolerate abusive officers and it would not allow them to go unpunished.

“This is proof that the PNP will not shield its personnel. Kung may akusasyon, imbestigahan at sampahan ng kaso kung kinakailangan (if there is an accusation, investigate and file a case if necessary). I have repeatedly said that I will not tolerate police abuse in the organization,” PGen Eleazar said.

The drug operation was conducted in Biñan, Laguna on June 16. Police operatives claimed that 16-year-old Helis and Antonio Dalit, the target of the operation and included in Laguna’s 10 most wanted, fought back while lawmen were serving an arrest warrant on Dalit.

However, relatives of the two said that Helis was shot while handcuffed and lying face down on the ground after witnessing Dalit’s death.

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