9 Navotas cops relieved from post over alleged torture of murder suspects

Nine Navotas police officers have been relieved from post amid allegations of torture on two murder suspects to force them to confess to the crime, the Philippine National Police said Monday

In a press conference, PNP Public Information Office chief Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the nine are presently at the Northern Police District-Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU).

"Sa ngayon, 'yung siyam, sila ngayon ay relieved nasa PHAU ng district," he said.

Included were 8 cops and their chief investigation officer due to command responsibility. 

"Nadagdagan ng isa, ito 'yung kanilang chief investigation officer," said Tuaño

He added the police officers received the subpoena on November 27 when the Internal Affairs Office commenced its investigation into the incident.

He said the National Police Commission conducted a parallel probe on November 28.

Last week, Jun Veneracion reported in “24 Oras” that one of the suspects, alias “Dave,” said the incident happened on November 9.

“Dave” recalled that he was hit with a heavy object, which caused him to lose consciousness. He later learned that he was still being hurt by the cops.

The mugshot of the suspect showed that the top of his head was covered with gauze.

Lawyer Cid Andeza expressed belief that the suspects were coerced to force them to sign an extrajudicial confession, or an admission that they were the ones who shot and killed the two victims in Navotas City last November 3.

The Navotas police denied the allegations.

Navotas City Police chief P/Col. Renante Pinuela said the police had nothing to do with the wounds that one of the suspects suffered.—AOL, GMA Integrated News