PNP monitoring 20 criminal cases

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is monitoring the status of 20 criminal cases that are of “priority interest” because of the personalities involved.

In a letter sent to the office of Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez on July 31, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima requested for updates on the status of the cases filed in various courts nationwide.

“The updated information will serve as a valuable guide for the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to oversee the progress of the prosecution of these cases, including identifying problem areas in prosecution and coordination among concerned police offices,” read the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR.

In a letter dated Sept. 26, Marquez referred Purisima’s request to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 under Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes who is handling the special court on the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009 was among the 20 criminal cases of priority interest listed by Purisima. Reyes sent an updated status of the multiple murder case to the PNP last Oct. 31.