Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), assured on Saturday, Jan. 15, the availability of 17 personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who were recommended to be slapped with murder charges in connection with the death of a couple during a police operation in Batangas last year.
The death of couple Ariel and Ana Mariz Lemita-Evangelista was part of the Bloody Sunday operation in Batangas, Laguna and Rizal against alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) on March 7 last year.
In a statement, the investigating panel of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the operating policemen had a deliberate intent to kill when they launched the operation.
Seven other activists were killed during the series of operations.
“This is among the occupational risks faced by police personnel arising from service-related circumstances and regular performance of duty. Our personnel deserve to avail of all legal remedies provided by law,” said Carlos.
"The PNP respects the legal action of NBI in bringing the case up for prosecution before the DOJ. This will allow the respondents the opportunity to face their accusers and present their side in the best interest of due process," he added.
Carlos also explained that they are no longer conducting investigation into the incident relating to possible criminal liability of the CIDG operatives . He, however, said that the conduct of probe for administrative cases will be pursued.
“The PNP has its own internal investigation machinery, the Internal Affairs Service. The case stemmed from an operation; it is well within the jurisdiction of IAS,” Carlos said.
"We are confident that this indictment is not enough to dampen the resolve of the CIDG or any other PNP unit in pursuing the objectives of the PNP against terrorism and criminality," he added.