The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday welcomed a Caloocan Court’s verdict on four police officers involved in the killing of a father and son during an anti-drug operation in Manila in 2016.
Luis Bonifacio, 45, and his son, Gabriel, 19, were shot dead during the operation.
“Unjustified killings committed by law enforcers are not only blatant violations of the law but also manifest grave abuse of authority and transgresses against the principles of humanity and the right to life,” the CHR said in a statement.
“We acknowledge the court’s decision as a significant step towards achieving justice and accountability for the victims of human rights violations in relation to the anti-drug campaign of the previous administration.”
The ruling highlights the importance of respect for human rights, due process and the rule of law, in any campaign, including in the pursuit of crime prevention and drug control, the CHR said.
Last Tuesday, the Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 121 found Police Master Sergeant Virgilio Servantes and Police Corporals Arnel De Guzman, Johnston Alacre and Argemio Saguros Jr. guilty of killing Luis Bonifacio and his son Gabriel Lois in September 2016.
The police personnel were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment.
Each was ordered to pay P100,000 for actual, moral and temperate damages, and civil indemnity with an interest of six percent per annum from the date of finality of the decision
until fully paid.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday welcomed the conviction of four police officers, with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla regarding the conviction as proof that the country’s justice system is functional and working.
"This conviction is a milestone in our criminal justice system, a testament to the government’s unwavering efforts to safeguarding human rights in the pursuit of justice and a clear proof of a functioning justice system,” he said in a press statement.
Remulla also commended the DOJ prosecutors for successfully securing the conviction.
“This serves as a reminder to abusive police officers that no one is above the law, justice will eventually catch up with them,” he said.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said while police officers are given the “presumption of regularity” in the performance of their duties, those found to have committed abuses and clear violations of existing police operational procedure, like the convicted cops, should face the penalties imposed by the courts.
She said the four cops have faced administrative charges and were penalized with one-year suspensions over the case.
She added it will be up to the four cops to “exhaust all available legal remedies” they are entitled to under the law. PNA
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