15 lawmen to stand trial for 3 fellow cops' killing

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has approved the filing of murder charges against 15 policemen who killed three fellow lawmen during a supposed operation in Cabuyao, Laguna in 2006.

The respondents, who all belong to the Regional Special Operations Group of the Philippine National Police in the Calabarzon region led by Senior Inspector Ronaldo Lumactod Jr., will face trial for three counts of murder before the Laguna regional trial court.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez gave the go-signal for the filing of charges against the 15 lawmen based on the investigation conducted by graft investigation and prosecution officer Jamila Cruz-Sarga that was approved by director Eulogio Cecilio and Deputy Ombudsman for the Military Emilio Gonzalez III.

Lumactod and his men stand accused of killing PO2 Michael Aguado and PO1s Siegmund Alan and Rolan Patag on Dec. 29, 2006 along the national highway in Barangay Banlic, Cabuyao, Laguna.

The charges were based on the three victims’ multiple gunshot wounds that indicated excessive force.

“While we commend the respondents’ struggle against lawless elements of our society, we cannot, however, close our eyes on the use of excessive force in fighting them for ours is a just and humane society which abides by the rule of law and not the rule of force,” the Office of the Ombudsman said.

It referred to how Lumactod and his men were going after fellow policemen allegedly engaged in robbery and extortion activities.

The investigation cited eyewitnesses’ accounts on how the victims were shot while they were still on board a motorcycle with their hands raised.

The Office of the Ombudsman also noted that the victims did not manage to draw the guns tucked in their waists.