HPG: Still no order to remove 8 cops in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) cannot remove the eight police officers recommended charged with murder for the death of a man and his seven-year-old daughter caught in a crossfire in the 2008 Parañaque shootout in the absence of a court order.

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said he could not issue any directive without any document to support its action.

HPG spokesman Senior Superintendent Edwin Butacan said the HPG has not received communication from the court regarding the case of Chief Inspectors Lawrence Cajipe and Joel Mendoza, Inspector Gerardo Balacutan, PO3 Jolito Mamanao Jr., PO3 Fernando Rey Gapuz, PO2 Eduardo Blanco, PO2 Edwin Santos, and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena.

Sources from the HPG said they have not been seeing the police officers involved in the shootout. A police officer said the lawmen have reportedly gone on leave to be able to face the charges.