Tokhang survivor files raps vs. cops in Payatas anti-drug op

A survivor of an alleged Oplan Tokhang incident in Payatas, Quezon City, on Thursday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman criminal and administrative complaints against the police officers who conducted the anti-illegal drug operation.

Efren Morillo, the lone survivor in the police anti-drug operation, filed complaints against Senior Inspector Emil Garcia, PO3 Allan Formilleza, PO1 James Aggarao and PO1 Melchor Navisaga for four counts of murder, one count of frustrated murder, and one count of robbery.

The police officers were also charged for violating Section 28 in relation to Section 3 of RA 9165 for planting drugs, and Section 38 of RA 10591 for planting illegal firearms.

Morillo also included in his complaint the informants who accused them of being drug suspects and told the police of their whereabouts. These are Lea Barcelona, Lorie Barcelona, Mary Joy Ralo, Richard Riñonand, and an alias "Manok."

In his 42-page complaint-affidavit, Murillo narrated the chronology of events that led to the death of his companions

Morillo said that on August 21, 2016, the respondent policemen, along with their civilian informants, "mercilessly" shot him at Group 9, Payatas, Quezon City.

Although he was able to survive and given first aid treatment, Murillo said four of his companions died on the same day.

The Supreme Court in January issued a writ of amparo to Morillo and the relatives of the victims to protect them from further police harassment.

Aside from this, the high-court also issued a temporary protection order prohibiting the respondent police officers and their agents from entering within a radius of one kilometer from the residence and work addresses of the petitioners.

The Court of Appeals has also ordered the reassignment of the said policemen to police stations outside Quezon City and Montalban, Rizal. —KBK, GMA News