Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Chel Diokno lauded the decision of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file murder and planting of evidence complaints against the nine policemen involved in the killing of four soldiers in Jolo, Sulu.
“Good news ito,” read his latest social media post.
However, the human rights lawyers expressed concerns over ordinary citizens who have been victims of evidence planting of police.
“Pero napaisip din ako: kung hindi ito AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), magagaya lang ba ito sa ibang mga kaso ng pagpatay at tanim-ebidensiya sa mahihirap?” asked Diokno.
“Noong wala pang Anti-Terror Law e inaabuso na ng pulis ang kapangyarihan nila, paano pa pag lalong nagluwag ang batas sa kanila?” lamented the lawyer.
The NBI on Tuesday (July 21) filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a complaint against 12 police officials and officers for the killing of four soldiers in Jolo last June 29.
In its complaint, the NBI accused nine policemen of murder and planting of evidence, namely, Senior Master Sergeant Abdelzhimar Padjiri; Master Sergeant Hanie Baddiri; Staff Sergeant Iskandar Susulan; Staff Sergeant Ernisar Sappal; Corporal Sulki Andaki; Patrolman Moh. Nur Pasani; Staff Sergeant Almudzrin Hadjaruddin; and Patrolmen Alkajal Mandangan and Rajiv Putalan.
The NBI also accused Sulu Provincial Police Office chief Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr.,Jolo Municipal Police Station chief Major Walter Annayo, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit chief Captain Ariel Corcino of neglect of duty.
