Three policemen have been charged with murder before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the alleged killing of a Spaniard last year during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.
Assistant State Prosecutor honey Rose E. Delgado, spokesperson of the DOJ’s Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG), said the complaint was filed last Sept. 17 by the Spanish government, through the Office of the Spanish Consul General, with the endorsement of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which investigated the case.
The charge involved the killing of Spanish national Diego Lapuente who had been suspected as an illegal drugs trader and reportedly killed by policemen who claimed that he fought back during a buy-bust operation on Jan. 8, 2020.
In its complaint, the NBI named as respondents three members of the General Luna Municipal Police Station, namely: chief of police PCpt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, and policemen PSSg. Ronel Pazo and PSSg. Nido Boy Cortes.
They were charged under Article 248 the Revised Penal Code (RPC); perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; and planting of evidence under Section 38 of Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.
Delgado said a panel of prosecutors has been picked to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaint.
“Respondents were subpoenaed and directed to file their counter- affidavits on Oct. 25, 2021,” she said.