DoJ wraps up probe on Atimonan killing

Investigators use mannequins inside the two sports utility vehicle at the “Atimonan encounter” last January 6, to get more information for the investigation at the National Bureau of Investigation grounds, Manila on Friday.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice has already wrapped up its investigation into the multiple murder complaint against 21 police officers and 14 members of the military in connection with the Atimonan, Quezon, killing.

Senior State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva said on Monday that they have already submitted for resolution the case after all the parties had filed their counter-affidavits.

Chief Superintendent James Melad, Superintendent Hansel Marantan and 20 other police officers and 14 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines had been slapped with a complaint for multiple murder for the death of 13 people in Atimonan, Quezon, last January 6.

During Monday’s preliminary investigation, the DoJ was supposed to conduct a clarificatory hearing as requested by the military.

The military, in their joint counter-affidavit, revealed that the police tampered with the evidence by firing the firearms of the victims and shooting one of the victims despite their call to take the victim to the hospital.

The clarificatory hearing was cancelled after Marantan failed to appear before the DoJ.

The police and military personnel were charged after the NBI investigation showed that there was no shootout but the 13 victims were summarily executed.