8 cops in Parañaque shootout arraigned today

MANILA, Philippines - 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 that left a father and his daughter dead, are scheduled to be arraigned today.

The policemen were identified as 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.

They were charged for the death of Alfonso de Vera and his daughter Lia Allan, who were caught in crossfire while policemen were chasing a group of robbers in Parañaque City on Dec. 5, 2008. 

Judge Jaime Guray cleared the eight suspects in 2010. But the appellate court said the judge erred in dismissing the case against Cajipe and his team.

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