Spanish gov’t keeping eye on death of citizen in Siargao drug bust last year – DOJ chief

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Spanish government has been closely monitoring the case of its citizen who was killed in a drug bust in Siargao Islands in January last year.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines has talked to him twice about the case of Diego Lafuente.

Lafuente was killed in a buy-bust operation in Siargao Islands on January 8, 2020, as he allegedly fought back police operatives. Police also claimed Lafuente was a “high value” drug suspect in the region.

“The Spanish Ambassador went to see me twice about this case which had caught public attention in Spain,” Guevarra said.

Following his talks with the Spanish envoy, Guevarra said he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to intensify its investigation that led to the filing of criminal cases against police officers.

The murder complaint was filed last month against the following: PCpt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, and PSSg. Ronel Pazo, and PSSg. Nido Boy Cortes. They were required to submit their counter-affidavits on or before October 25.

Aside from murder, they are facing complaints of perjury, planting of evidence, and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.

The Department of Justice has already wrapped up its review of 52 cases of drug war deaths. Lafuente’s case was among the 52 cases, according to Guevarra.

KGA