PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Policemen who might be indicted for murder in connection with the Atimonan, Quezon, shooting that left 13 persons dead, should face the consequences of their actions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
And they may have to do it on their own.
Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesperson, said members of the police team involved in the Jan. 6 incident, which left 13 people dead, should not expect immediate legal assistance from the PNP due to questions over the legitimacy of the checkpoint operation.
He reiterated the position of PNP Director General Alan Purisima that the PNP would stand by the findings and recommendations of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which had been tasked by President Aquino to look into the case.
“That’s the call of the NBI. If (the filing of murder charges) would be the recommendation, then our personnel should face that,” Cerbo said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.
“Whatever would be the findings of the NBI, the PNP will respect that. We will support the NBI’s investigation,” he continued.
A source, who has been familiar with the NBI probe into the Atimonan shooting, had told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the NBI investigators had recommended the filing of murder charges against the policemen who carried out the bloody operation.
Asked if the PNP would provide any legal assistance to its embattled personnel, Cerbo said the police organization, having only a few lawyers, could not guarantee legal aid.
Like regular policemen, he said police-lawyers were also assigned to specific tasks, which would make them unavailable for regular court duties.
“Anyway, there is still the issue of whether or not the incident was in line with the performance of their duty. There is also a question of abuse of authority. So if providing legal assistance is proper or not, that should be decided by the top leadership,” he said.
“At this point, there is no immediate legal assistance. But if they want the help of our legal service, they have to put their request in writing. They have to make a formal request.”
Cerbo advised the PNP personnel to just hire the services of private lawyers like what Supt. Hansel Marantan, the ground commander of the Atimonan operation, did.