PNP: 19 cops acquitted in Maguindanao massacre case dismissed for rule violations

MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen police officers acquitted of murder charges in the Maguindanao massacre case will not able to serve again for violating rules and regulations of the Philippine National Police, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Saturday.

“Although acquitted, the 19 cops will not be able to serve again as they were dismissed from the PNP based on the preponderance of evidence against each one of them,” Banac told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“Exact details of individual grave offenses committed, I have no copy,” he added.

Banac, however, noted that the dismissed police officers may file a motion for reconsideration.

Pressed further if this was still in connection with the massacre, Banac answered in the affirmative.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Thursday acquitted 56 of the 101 accused, most of them police officers, of murder charges in the November 2009 massacre where 58 people were killed, including 32 media practitioners.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1203511/qc-court-acquits-56-mostly-policemen

Banac earlier stated that the policemen acquitted in the massacre may be reinstated, but not automatically.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1203716/maguindanao-massacre-acquitted-cops-may-be-reinstated

In a separate interview on radio station DZMM, Banac also noted that 17 other police officers may return to the police service after finding no other charges against them.

“Subalit, kailangan nilang sumailalim sa standard procedure natin katulad ng drug testing, neuropsychiatric exam at saka medical examination (However, they need to undergo standard procedures like drug testing, neuropsychiatric exam and medical examination),” Banac said.

GSG