Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered police commanders to account for the 30 policemen who have been charged by prosecutors in connection with the deaths a year ago of several activists identified with the left, but whom he called as “armed members and affiliates of the local communist movement.”
The PNP chief said he was briefed on the status of the case even if he was in Indonesia accompanying President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. during his official visit days ago wherein he ordered police officials to ensure the availability of the accused policemen.
“My initial instructions were to account for all these PNP personnel indicted in the complaint and ensure their availability to appear in any further proceedings,” Azurin said during a news briefing on Monday.
The 30 policemen from different police units in Southern Tagalog have been charged with separate cases of murder in connection with the series of police operations in various places in the region, including in Cavite, Rizal and Batangas in March 2021 in what is now known as “Bloody Sunday” killings where several activist died.
The activists, the police claimed earlier, died after they fought it out with policemen serving warrants of arrest.
A Department of Justice (DOJ) official disclosed the filing of charges by prosecutors last week after the House of Representatives asked him about the status of the cases during the budget hearing for the department.
“Let me reiterate the PNP’s unequivocal assurance of support and cooperation to the DOJ in this investigation even as we assure concerned PNP personnel of legal assistance, if they so require legal representation and services,” Azurin said in response to the filing of charges.
“At the end of the day we trust that this investigation will find regularity in the performance of duty not only as mere presumption but an incontrovertible fact,” he added.
While assuring the PNP’s cooperation to the justice department’s action, the PNP chief said they also need to help the 30 policemen, including extending legal services.
“We are accounting these police officers because we need to help them because to my mind, they were just performing their role as police officers,” Azurin explained.
He added the PNP does not know the evidence that were seen by prosecutors in deciding to file the charges against the policemen.
Azurin called on former PNP chief Debold Sinas and other police officials under whose term the series of operations were carried out to extend support and encouragement to the accused policemen.
Meanwhile, Azurin said the reported cases of kidnappings involving Chinese nationals remain a concern for the PNP.
“Reports of POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations)-related kidnappings of foreigners by fellow foreigners, remain to be a concern for the PNP, not only because it violates Philippine laws, but more so because it does not fit well with the country’s desire to establish Philippines as an international tourist destination and investment haven for foreign capital,” he said.