PNP eyes transferring Maguindanao cop's murder case after suspects released

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is working on transferring the case on the murder of a cop in Maguindanao after two suspects, who are police officers, have been released.

“They are now studying the possibility na ilipat po yung kaso from BAR sa Manila or other at least sa regional level so that we could at least secure a favorable decision with respect to the complaint affidavit we filed against the two police suspects and three other suspects,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said at a press briefing.

(They are now studying the possibility of transferring the case from BAR to Manila or other at least to the regional level so that we could at least secure a favorable decision with respect to the complaint affidavit we filed against the two police suspects and three other suspects.)

She said the Prosecutor’s Office on May 7 recommended the release of the two citing that they were detained allegedly through a warrantless arrest and the complaint affidavit did not have evidence for murder.

But Fajardo said the Police Regional Office - Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region argued that it cannot be considered as warrantless arrest because the two surrendered to authorities.

According to Fajardo, the Bangsamoro police also cited Police Captain Roland Moralde ’s death certificate and the CCTV footage of the incident as evidence.

Fajardo said the PNP also received information that the two police suspects are supposed relatives to the prosecutor.

Moralde was shot dead after chiding a vendor for having a gun in his possession. He initially exchanged fire with the man he admonished, but he was cornered and shot after four other suspects came.

During the manhunt operation, the gunman reprimanded by Moralde was killed.

The two police officers involved, meanwhile, surrendered to authorities. Fajardo said they had been detained at the Maguindanao Municipal Police Station.

Three other suspects are still at large. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News