Department of Justice (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines – A panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the murder complaint filed against 17 police officers over the death of labor leader Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion.
Asuncion was among the nine activists killed during the March 7, 2021’s simultaneous police-military operations in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces — now known as “Bloody Sunday.”
“We lament the demise of Emmanuel Asuncion. However, complainant [victim’s wife Liezel] and the evidence she submitted failed to discharge the obligation to prove the existence of a crime and identify the perpetrators thereof,” read the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.
“In the absence of proof, there could be no probable cause to charge the respondents,” the resolution further stated.
The following police officers were cleared of murder:
- Lt. Elbert M. Santos
- Lt. Shay Jed Sapitula
- Senior Master Sgt.Hector R. Cardinales
- Master Sgt.Ariel P. Dela Cruz
- Staff Sgt. Jemark Sajul
- Cpl. Ernie A. Ambuyoc
- Cpl. Mark John A. Defiesta
- Cpl. Arjay Garcia
- Cpl. Caidar Dimacangun
- Cpl. Bryan Sanchez
- Cpl. Ericson Lucido
- Pat. Jayson Maala
- Pat. Juan Plite
- Pat. Jonathan Tatel
- Pat. Prince Benjamin Torres
- Pat. Jaime Turingan
- Pat. Lopera Rey PJ Dacara
According to the panel of prosecutors, the records of the case will be returned to the National Bureau of Investigation, which will then conduct a further investigation to determine the identities of the assailants.