Reinstatement of cops who killed mayor a ‘wasted’ chance for gov’t—Chiz

P/Supt Marvin Marcos.
EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero called out the administration anew for treating the cops behind the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. with “kid gloves” after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the reinstatement of Supt. Marvin Marcos and 18 other policemen.

“Am curious what happened to, and what is the status of, the administrative case filed against him for summary dismissal before the Napolcom (National Police Commission),” Escudero said in a statement on Wednesday night.

“I still believe that not pursuing cases against Marcos and treating him with kid gloves is a wasted opportunity for the Administration to show and prove to the international community and their critics that it will not stand for abusive policemen and those who do shortcuts in violation of existing law in the performance of their duties,” he said.

“This would have been a perfect opportunity to show too that the government will not tolerate any abuses, especially on the part of state actors and law enforcement officials, in its war against drugs,” Escudero added.

On the orders of President Duterte, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he would bring back Marcos, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Eastern Visayas (CIDG-8), and 18 of his men to service.

READ: Bato to reinstate Supt. Marcos, 18 cops in Espinosa slay to full duty

Dela Rosa said they will report back to their mother unit at the CIDG Camp Crame, which will then decide where they would be assigned next.

The other 18 policemen were Supt. Santi Noel Matira; Chief Insp. Leo Larraga; Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco; Senior Insp. Deogracias Diaz; Insp. Lucredito Candilosas; SPO4 Melvin Cayubit; PO3 Johnny Ibañez; SPO4 Juanito Duarte; PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza; PO1 Bhernard Orpilla; SPO2 Benjamin Dacallos; PO3 Norman Abellanosa; PO1 Jerlans Cabiyaan; PO1 Clixto Canillas Jr; SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo; PO2 John Ruel Doculan; SPO2 Antonio Docil; and PO2 Jaime Dacsal.

Marcos’ team raided Espinosa’s cell in Baybay, Leyte to serve a search warrant in November last year. Marcos’ camp claims Espinosa opened fire at the cops, prompting them to shoot him and another inmate Raul Yap.

Both the Senate and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concluded killing was premeditated.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, downgraded the case against Marcos and his men from murder to homicide. They have since been released on bail.

This move by the DOJ drew negative reactions from the Senate and different sectors. IDL

READ: More senators up in arms over downgrade of raps vs Espinosa killers

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