Duterte wants Supt. Marcos reinstated despite homicide raps

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said that he would want suspended Supt. Marvin Marcos reinstated, despite the criminal charges the police officer is facing over the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another detainee.

During the 26th anniversary of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Camp Aguinaldo, Duterte reiterated that he would not allow policemen, soldiers, and other government personnel to go to prison for following his orders.

“Si Marcos, suspended. Eh 'di suspended siya. Eh tapos na ang suspension, sabi ko ibalik ninyo sa trabaho iyang mama na iyan,” he said, adding Marcos was not part of the raiding team.

“Eh may kaso, and so? Iyong criminal na p— ina sabihin mo presumption of innocence, eh ang gobyerno hindi mo—why the stupid rationale there?” he added.

Last December, Duterte admitted that he had a hand in blocking the relief of Marcos despite drug links, claiming he wanted the officer to be observed for further evidence.

He has previously hinted at pardoning, reinstating, and even promoting cops involved in the killing.

He talked about the Espinosa case again last month, saying he'll never allow policemen or soldiers to go to jail.

The Department of Justice had downgraded from murder to homicide the criminal charges against dismissed Marcos. That move has come under fire from the Senate, which adopted the report by the Committee on Public Order finding that the Espinosa killing was premeditated.

Bato agrees

In an ambush interview after the event, Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he agrees with Duterte’s remarks.

“Yes, sayang ‘yun kung walang ginagawa, ‘di ba? Sumusuweldo, walang ginagawa. Edi pagtrabahuhin natin,” he said.

PNP's Internal Affairs Service (IAS) in April recommended the demotion and suspension of the police officers involved in the death of Espinosa.

However, Dela Rosa did not divulge the results of the investigation of the IAS. — MDM/KVD/JST, GMA News