MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has affirmed the dismissal of murder charges filed against 17 policemen tagged in the killing of activist Emmanuel Asuncion two years ago.
“While the motion for reconsideration attached documents that were not part of the initial complaint, it cannot be considered as newly discovered evidence that would warrant a reversal of the assailed resolution,” the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors said.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) will file a petition for review as recourse before Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“Asuncion’s wife will follow suit and file a petition for review,” the NUPL said in a statement.
Asuncion was killed on March 7, 2021 amid police operations targeting rights defenders in Southern Tagalog, dubbed by activists as “Bloody Sunday.”
In January, the DOJ recommended the dismissal of murder charges filed against Lieutenants Elbert Santos and Shay Sapitula; Senior M/Sgt. Hector Cardinales, M/Sgt. Ariel de la Cruz; S/Sgt. Joemark Sajul; Corporals Ernie Ambuyoc, Mark John Defiesta, Arjay Garcia, Caidar Dimacangun, Bryan Sanchez and Ericson Lucido, and Patrolmen Jayson Maala, Juan Plite, Jonathan Tatel, Prince Benjamin Torres, Jaime Turingan and Rey Lopera.