The Office of the City Prosecutor (OPC) in Dasmarinas City in Cavite is set to hold a preliminary investigation in January on the murder charge filed against 17 policemen for the killing last March 7 of activist Emmanuel Asuncion.
In a subpoena, the hearing was set on Jan. 11 and 25 next year. Those charged were also ordered to submit their counter-affidavits.
Named respondents in the murder charge were PLT. Elbert M. Santos, PLT. Shay Jed Sapitulla, PSMS Hector R. Cardinales, PMSSG Ariel P. dela Cruz, PSSG, Joemark Sajul, PCPL Ernie A. Ambuyoc, PCCPL Mark John A. Defiesta, PCPL Arjay Garcia, PCPL Caidar Dimacangun, PCPL Bryan Sanchez, PCPL Ericson Lucido, Pat. Jayson Maala, Pat. Juanito Plite, Pat. Jonathan Tatel, Pat. Prince Benjamin Torres, Pat. Jaime Turingan, and Pat. Lopera Rey PJ Dacara.
“No motion to dismiss will be entertained. Only counter-affidavits will be accepted. Failure to submit counter-affidavits is deemed a waiver of the right to present evidence,” the subpoena issued by Investigating Prosecutor Rogelio D. Radoc Jr. stated.
Those charged were also warned that “no postponement will be granted unless on exceptionally meritorious grounds.”
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said the filing of the murder charge was recommended by the special investigating team (SIT) of the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right of Life, Liberty and Security of Persons.
Asuncion, secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Cavite (BAYAN Cavite), was among nine activists killed during the so-called March 7 “bloody Sunday” law enforcement raids in Southern Tagalog to ferret out suspected members of the communist terrorist groups.
Reports stated that he was killed by members of the police raiding team at the office of the Workers’ Assistance Center (WAC) in Dasmarinas, Cavite.