Cops in Parañaque shootout to be arraigned next month

MANILA, Philippines - The arraignment date for eight members of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, who were ordered arrested by the Court of Appeals (CA) for their alleged involvement in the 2008 Parañaque shootout, has been set for next month.

Judge Jaime Guray of Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 260 said Chief Inspectors Lawrence Cajipe and Joel Mendoza, Inspector Gerardo Balacutan, PO3 Jolito Mamanao Jr., PO3 Fernando Rey Gapuz, PO2 Eduardo Blanco, PO2 Edwin Santos, and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena are scheduled to enter their plea on July 19 at 8:30 a.m.

The case against them stemmed from the deaths of Alfonso de Vera and daughter Lia Allan, who were caught in the crossfire while the accused policemen were chasing a group of robbers on Dec. 5, 2008.

They were cleared by the trial court in 2010 but was ordered arrested by the appellate court two weeks ago.  The CA said Guray committed an error in immediately dismissing the cases against Cajipe and his team.

Guray, for his part, said he “respects” the decision of the CA and will immediately proceed with the trial.

Twenty-five policemen were originally charged but the 17 members of the PNP- Special Action Force were acquitted for lack of evidence last May.