Kin of 2 ‘Tokhang’ victims file criminal raps vs. MPD cops

The families of two drug suspects killed in police anti-drug operations on Thursday filed murder and planting of evidence charges against at least seven Manila policemen with the Office of the Ombudsman.

The family of John Jezreel David and Djastin Lopez were assisted by the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) in the complaint they filed against the policemen involved in two separate operations, one on January 20 and another on May 18, 2017.

In a sworn affidavit, Djastin's mother Normita said her son was unable to return home after he went to Hermosa/Pilar area in Tondo around 5 p.m. on May 18.

About an hour later, Normita heard news that a dead body was found on the railtracks of the Philippine National Railways. Police, however, denied her requests to see the body before a barangay councilor confirmed the identity of Djastin.

"Nilapitan ako ng isang kagawad na kilala ko bilang Kagawad Maning, at sinabi niya sa akin na si Djastin nga ang pinatay," Normita said in her affidavit.

"Noong dumilim na, natamaan ng ilaw ng flashlight ang mukha ng bangkay. Nasilayan ko ng sandali ang mukha ng pinatay sa riles. Doon ko nakumpirma na si Djastin nga ang pinatay," she added.

Normita said she tried to recover the body of Djastin but policemen told her to wait for the Homicide Division and Scene of the Crime Operatives first.

Normita said Djastin died due to multiple gunshot wounds on the body and upper extremities based on the medico-legal report.

However, multiple witnesses to the incident told her that Djastin was only one caught by policemen when they arrived at the railway.

"Tinaas ni Djastin ang kanyang mga kamay na parang sumusuko at nagsasabi ng 'huwag po, huwag po. Suko na po ako.' Tinulak siya ng mga pulis kaya napabagsak si Djastin na patihaya. Bigla siyang binaril ng pulis. Kumisay si Djastin," Normita said in the affidavit.

"Ayon sa mga saksi, sinampal ng bumaril na pulis si Djastin at nang nakitang gumagalaw pa si Djastin ay binaril pa ulit si Djastin ng ilang beses. May lumapit pang tatlo pang pulis na nakisampal pa kay Djastin hanggang sa masiguro na hindi na siya kumikibo," she added.

Normita likewise denied the police spot report saying Djastin was involved in the killing of a certain Michael Turla Panganiban and the claims of police that her son exchanged fire with them.

Normita filed the complaint against Senior Inspector Jojo Salanguit and PO3 Gerry Genalope.

Missing for days

Meanwhile, according to John's father Dennise, his 21-year-old son went missing for at least two days before he was found dead on Delpan Street in Binondo on the morning of January 21.

Dennise recalled that he first looked for John at Police Station 11, where one inmate told him that his son may be one of the three persons found dead in Delpan area.

"Sumagi sa isip ko ang sinabi sa akin nuong detenido sa Station 11 at dahil naduon na rin kami sa MPD Headquarters, kaya nagtanong ako kung naireport ko na missing person ang aking anak," he said.

Dennise said MPD personnel asked him if John was an illegal-drug user. He said he told them that his son had strived hard in school and shoulder the expenses of his sibling.

"Mariin kung sinabing hindi dahil hindi naman talaga gumagamit ng illegal na droga ang anak ko, wala ni anumang masamang record, matiyagang nagsikap para makapag-aral, marangal siyang nagtatrabaho at tumutulong sa pag-aaral ng kanyang kapatid," he said.

Based on the autopsy report, John died from multiple gunshot wounds. He also sustained various bruises on different parts of his body.

Dennise, however, denied the truthfulness of the police progress report that said John was killed in a buy-bust operation where they recovered five plastic sachets of shabu and P500 marked money.

He also refuted the police's claims that John owned a firearm and was involved in illegal drugs.

"Si John Jezreel ay walang baril at kailan man ay hindi pa nakahawak ng baril at ang baril na diumano'y nakuha sa kanya ay itinamin lang ng mga pulis," Dennise said.

"Si John Jezreel ay hindi gumagamit ng illegal na droga at kailan man ay hindi pa nasangkot sa ipinagbabawal na gamot at ang shabu na diumano'y nakuha sa kanya ay itinamin lang ng mga pulis," he added.

Dennise filed the complaint against PO3 Joel Pelayo, PO3 Ponciano Barnedo, PO2 Osmond Pring, PO2 Eduardo Lacson, and Chief Inspector Leandro Gutierrez. —KBK, GMA News