The Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun conducting the preliminary investigation of the murder complaint filed against three policemen for the Jan. 8, 2020 killing of Spanish national Diego Lafuente during illegal drugs operations in Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said the case of Lafuente was one of the 52 cases submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for review.
The review had been finished and the results have been forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for case buildup and filing of criminal charges if evidence warrants.
“I understand that the preliminary investigation is still going on,” Guevarra said on Thursday, Nov. 4.
Last Sept. 17, a murder charge was filed with the DOJ against policemen of the General Luna Municipal Police Station, namely: Chief of Police PCpt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, and PSSg. Ronel Pazo and PSSg. Nido Boy Cortes.
The policemen were charged in the killing of Lafuente, who had been suspected as an illegal drugs trader and who allegedly fought back during a buy-bust operation.
They were charged with murder 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.
The policemen claimed that Lafuente was armed and tried to fight the arresting officers.
Guevarra had said that the Spanish ambassador met with him twice to demand justice for Lafuente.
“That’s why I directed the NBI to intensify its investigation which eventually resulted in the filing of criminal charges against the respondent police officers,” he said.