Slain cop’s kin seek justice

Two female siblings of a slain Western Police District (WPD) policeman are asking authorities to expedite the reinvestigation of the case, fearing its undue delay might render the case as one of many "unresolved cases" now clogging court dockets.

Cirila and Consuelo, younger sisters of SPO1 Celeste Agustin, claimed it has been a year since their brother was killed, yet justice has still to be served.

Police reports showed Agustin was shot and killed by his superior, Inspector Reynaldo "Boy" Chico, outside the Lotus Bar on Mabini street in Ermita, Manila, in the wee hours of March 16, 2000.

According to the sisters, despite evidence of murder, investigators of the WPD only charged Chico with homicide, a bailable offense.

During the arraignment, the case against Chico was remanded by a Manila judge to the prosecutor’s office after Agustin’s family sought the upgrading of the case to murder. "More than a year has passed, yet the prosecutor’s office has not yet rendered its findings on the case," bewailed Cirila.

According to the sisters, the case is still pending in the office of Manila Prosecutor Danny Villanueva and the next hearing is supposed to be on March 26, but may be postponed because the resolution appears not yet ready. – Nestor Etolle