Two PNP officials charged for alleged murder of crime watchdog regional chair

Murder charges have been filed against two police officials in Mindoro for alleged involvement in the death of a regional chairperson of a crime watch group.

Senior Supt. Chris Birung, Oriental Mindoro police provincial director, said 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), were charged before the Pinamalayan Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday.

Birung said the Internal Affairs Service Region 4B will conduct an investigation on the administrative liability of the two officers.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, Region 4B director, said the two, who fought with police officers who ran after them, are now at the hospital.

"Nasa hospital pa 'yung dalawang opisyal under custody at guard ng Gloria Police at Provincial Public Safety Company," he said.

Initial reports said victim Zenaida Luz, 51, was shot dead in front of her house in Brgy. Maligaya, Gloria.

The two suspects were on board a motorcycle and in civilian clothes.

Responding policemen ran after the two who fired at them. A shootout ensued resulting in the wounding of the two suspects.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the swift actions of the Mindoro Oriental Provincial Police Office under Birung to respond to the distress call, arrest the suspects, and file criminal charges before the court "clearly manifest the stand of the PNP not to tolerate any wrongdoings even from among our ranks."

"This is in line with the directive of Chief PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa to cleanse out ranks of misfits and rogue cops. The two suspects will have their day in court for the acts they committed," he added in a press statement. —KG, GMA News