Cops in Ozamiz gang members' death charged - Roxas

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Thursday announced that two police officers have been charged with murder and 14 others are facing separate criminal charges in connection with the death of two Ozamis gang members last week while in police custody.

This after Roxas received the investigation report on the killings of Ozamis Gang leader Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga.

The report was submitted by Police Director Catalino Cuy, head of the fact-finding body to look into the killings.

Indicted for murder were Police Senior Inspector Manuel Magat and Police Inspector Efren Oco, both of the Regional Special Operations Group who headed the custodial team that escorted the two fugitives for inquest in Dasmarinas City.

Charged with perjury  were Police Senior Inspector Fernando Cardona and 11 others, while those indicted for Obstruction in the Prosecution of a Criminal Offender were former RSOG IV-A Chief, Supt. Danilo Mendoza and 15 others.

All the police personnel involved were earlier relieved of their assignments and restricted to camp at the PNP Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Crame.

An administrative case has been filed against former Calabarzon IV-A Chief Supt. Benito Estipona, who has been reassigned to Camp Crame.

Those indicted were: SPO1 Jayson Semacas, SPO1 Joseph Ortega, SPO1 Genero de Gala,  PO3 Sherwin Bulan, PO3 Ramil Gonzales, PO3  MarvinMejia, PO3 Eduardo Cruz—all PO2 Conrado Bautista Jr., PO2 Exiel Reyes, PO2 Kristofferson Reyes and PO1Ryan Rey Gado—all of the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Roxas said the chargess were based on a sworn statement executed by a police officer who was part of the team in charge of escorting the slain fugitives.

Roxas said the witness is now under protective custody at Camp Crame.

“Wala tayong sasantohin, wala tayong itatago sa imbestigasyon na ito na naging hayag at masinop,” Roxas said.

“Lahat may konsyensya. Pinili niyang magsabi ng totoo to come clean. 'Yun ang mahalaga,” Roxas said.

He said the fact-finding investigation remains open and will continue to receive information or evidence.

Meanwhile, Roxas assured Cadavero’s sister, Rose Cadavero that she will be given protection should she decide to cooperate with the police in the widening investigation of the case.

"Lumapit lang siya sa akin, ako mismo ang magbibigay sa kanya ng proteksiyon," Roxas said.

He also commended the fact-finding committee for its investigative work, saying the probe will follow every piece of evidence to its logical conclusion.

"Natutuwa ako at sinuportahan ko ang imbestigasyong ito dahil ang Kapulisan mismo ang nagnanais  na linisin ang kanilang hanay," he said.