Supt. Marvin Marcos (right) and one of his coaccused in the murder of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. arrive at the court that issued arrest warrants for them. —ROBERT DEJON/FILE PHOTO
Opposition lawmakers from the independent minority bloc on Thursday decried the reinstatement of Supt. Marvin Marcos and 18 other cops who were charged for killing Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
In separate statements, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano slammed the reinstatement of the policemen despite their involvement in the killing of the accused Eastern Visayas drug lord.
READ: Bato to reinstate Supt. Marcos, 18 cops in Espinosa slay to full duty
Alejano called the cops’ reinstatement the “height of impunity” which he said was consistent with President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to protect cops and soldiers from detention even if they violate human rights.
“The reinstatement of Supt. Marcos et al to active duty is the height of impunity. This is line with Duterte’s statement that no military or police should be detained in obeying his orders implying that even if it violates due process of law and human rights,” Alejano said.
READ: Pangilinan finds Marcos reinstatement ‘disturbing’
Alejano said Marcos and the other cops’ reinstatement sends a signal that the President would protect cops even though they commit illegal acts and human rights violations.
“Let us expect that more killings will happen under the war on drugs and under Duterte administration,” Alejano said.
For his part, Villarin said their reinstatement is a “travesty of justice and the rule of law.”
“It doesn’t make sense why a police officer indicted for murder would be reinstated,” Villarin said.
READ: Lacson on reinstatement of Supt. Marcos, 18 other cops: P***** Ina!
Villarin said it seems the government is saying cops are allowed to kill without fear of losing their positions in the police force.
“Is the government now saying it is open season for policemen to kill with abandon? Are we telling the world that our sense of justice is tilted in favor of those who wield power? As they say power corrupts and this (is what) we are witnessing,” Villarin said.
Villarin slammed the reinstatement as “abhorrent” even as Marcos and the other policemen were indicted for murder, later downgraded to homicide by the Department of Justice, compelling Villarin to liken Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to Judas.
“A Senate investigation unanimously indicted Supt Marcos for the murders of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Espinosa and another inmate. The Department of Justice filed murder charges then reversed it to just homicide with the Secretary of Justice washing his hands like Judas. Now this reinstatement of a police officer accused of a grievous crime,” Villarin said.
“It is an abhorrent act in a civilized world,” he added. IDL
READ: Case vs cops in Espinosa slay downgraded to homicide