PNP internal affairs to help in prosecution of Mindoro cops in anti-crime advocate’s slay

The PNP Internal Affairs Service will help in the prosecution of the two Mindoro policemen implicated in the killing of an anti-crime watchdog leader if its probe found the two liable for the crime.

"As far as the Internal Affairs Service is concerned, ongoing po yung investigation namin, and eventually magfa-file po kami ng administrative cases po against them,” Atty. Shella Castillo said in a Balitanghali interview on Friday.

Castillo is the chief of PNP-IAS Legal Affairs Division.

“However, kapag natapos na po namin yung investigation, pwede na po kaming mag-assist for filing of criminal charges against these police personnel po,” she added.

Castillo said there was a good chance that the suspects—Insp. Markson Almeranez, chief of police of Socorro town, and Senior Insp. Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. of the First Maneuver Platoon of Oriental Mindoro Police Public Safety Company (PPSC)—would face criminal prosecution.

The two allegedly recently shot Zenaida Luz, the regional chairperson of Citizens Crime Watch, in front of her house.

“Tinitignan din po namin 'yung anggulo kasi kapag based sa initial investigation, although hindi pa natapos lahat, talagang malaki po ang chance na for criminal prosecution po itong crime,” Castillo said.

Almeranez and Pimentel were reportedly riding a motorcycle and wearing civilian clothes during the shooting.

Castillo said they have recovered pieces of evidence in the crime scene.

“Pinadala po natin ito sa Regional Crime Laboratory ng MIMAROPA for ballistic investigation regarding sa mga empty shells na nakuha po natin,” Castillo said.

She said they are also looking into the motive of the suspects as part of their investigation.

Senior Supt. Chris Birung, Oriental Mindoro police provincial director, said murder charges have already been filed against the suspects on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Castillo responded to the criticism of several government officials regarding their slow processing of cases.

"Yung sinasabi nila na mabagal yung pagkilos ng Internal Affairs Service, hindi ako sumasang-ayon doon,” Castillo said.

“Kung gusto nila ng mas matatag at may ngipin ang Internal Affairs Service, bigyan nila kami ng independence, bigyan nila kami ng mas marami pang personnel,” she added. —Erwin Colcol/NB, GMA News