PNP: Marcos, 18 others not yet off the hook in Espinosa-Yap case

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday clarified that Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos and 18 other policemen who were suspended administratively and charged in the killing of former Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Roland Espinosa and another inmate in November last year are not yet off the hook.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said Marcos and his men may have been reverted to “duty status” but the criminal aspect of the case remains.

Carlos said Marcos and his men were only cleared in the administrative case.

The PNP was earlier mum on the status of the so-called

“Espinosa 19” not until President Duterte in a forum ordered them back to duty.

“Klaruhin natin kasi akala nila doon nagtatapos. Patuloy ho yung kaso na criminal. Haharap pa rin ho sila sa kasong homicide kay Mayor Espinosa at Raul Yap (We want to make it clear that the case did not end there. The criminal case continues. They are still charged with homicide for the Espinosa-Yap case),” Carlos said.

Marcos and his men are out on bail after the Department of Justice downgraded the charge from murder to homicide.

With the downgrading of the charges which allowed them to post bail, Carlos explained the leave of absence of the “Espinosa 19” was lifted, placing them on duty status. The 18 personnel, Carlos added, returned to their respective units while Marcos was reassigned as head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 12 but only as officer-in-charge.

“Iyung pag-assigned po ng CIDG sa kanya (Marcos) that is the authority and discretion of the CIDG director, it falls under him and they are on duty status. So maaari ho sila ma-assign anywhere based on the need of the unit,” Carlos said.

Calling back Marcos and his men to duty status did not sit well with senators whose findings after a Senate hearing on the Espinosa-Yap slay case pointed to murder. The findings of the National Bureau of Investigation also pointed to murder.

Carlos said they understand the controversy created by reverting Marcos and his men to active duty.

“We understand that because of the controversy created by this case. Iyung iba naman kase hindi naman ganon kacontroversial (The other cases are not that controversial). We understand

the opinions and remarks coming from the public. We are just following this procedure,” Carlos said.

Senate probe Because of this development in the Espinosa-Yap slay case, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said he will immediately call for a hearing when Congress resumes on July 24 and part of the discussion will center on the Marcos issue.

Malacañang said it is ready to cooperate with the Senate. “The government through the PNP will cooperate with any investigation. We have always participated in any hearings and we will continue to abide by that,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Several senators have denounced the President’s decision, raising concerns it promotes a culture of impunity among erring cops.

“The reinstatement of the Superintendent is basically in compliance with the fact that he was suspended and that the suspension has been served,” Abella added.

Davao City (1st District) Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, a Duterte ally, found no fault in the Chief Executive’s move and praised him for being consistent with his vow to take responsibility for all actions committed by law enforcers in the war against illegal drugs.

“President Duterte has been very vocal about his hardline position against illegal drugs and he even declared that he would take the cudgels for members of law enforcement who risk life, limb and career in their efforts to bring down powerful drug lords,” Nograles noted.

The President, he added should be given the benefit of the doubt as he has access to classified information and intelligence reports more than anybody else.

“The President is also correct in reminding us that everyone should be proven guilty first and not presumed guilty until proven innocent. As a lawyer and former prosecutor, he knows what he is talking about.”

“It’s time for the judiciary to act as the final arbiter of this case and to determine guilt of the accused,” he said. (With reports from Genalyn D. Kabiling and Ellson A. Quismorio)