PNP to back Espenido, 2 others facing homicide charges

The Philippine National Police will extend legal assistance to Ozamiz City police chief Inspector Jovie Espenido and two of his subordinates from service, even if the Justice Department has recommended the filing of six counts of homicide charges against them over a police operation that left nine people dead in June 2017.

PNP spokesperson Benigno Durana noted that the PNP would support their own in their legal battle.

“Meron po tayong legal services sa PNP and, of course, having a legal counsel [should mean] they (accused) should have some sort of familiarity and confidence who will represent them to court. Depende 'yan kay Espenido if he wants to avail the services of the legal service or hire a private lawyer, that depends on him.[But] we can provide legal services,” Durana said in a press conference.

“Those accused have right to due process and defend themselves. Since Espenido's action during that incident resulted in death of some people... nandun sa kanyang performance of their function. So, definitely we will support our people in their legal struggle, lalong-lalo na [kung] ang kanilang legal struggle ay as a result of their performance of their function as [anti-illegal] drug forces,” Durana added.

Espenido's co-accused include SPO4 Renato Martir Jr., and PO1 Sandra Nadayag.

Espenido and his crew have maintained that the operation that killed the so-called "Ozamis 9" in June 2017 was legitimate because those killed were suspects in a series  of shooting and robbery incidents in Ozamiz City.

However, the Justice department found the admission of Espenido and the two others that they killed the suspects sufficient enough to establish probable cause for the crime of homicide.

This is not the first time that Espenido was involved in a deadly police operation.

Espenido, a recipient of President Rodrigo Duterte's Order of Lapu-Lapu award for his extraordinary contributions to law enforcement, was also involved other deadly police operations.

He led the predawn police raid that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife, brother, and 12 others in July 2017.

President Duterte had accused the Parojinogs of being involved in illegal drug trade, but the family has denied this allegation.  —Llanesca T. Panti/LBG, GMA News