7 Laguna cops rapped over summary killings

LAGUNA, Philippines – Charges have been filed against seven police officers of Victoria town here in connection with the alleged summary execution of two men in San Pablo City.

Aside from administrative charges, two counts of murder each were filed against Senior Police Officer 1 Alexander Asis; Police Officers 2 Chris Vergara, and Tito Danao Jr., Rolando Sumilang and Romano Caluyag; and Police Officers 1 June Armanda Balahida and Jemarco Nollido, said Inspector Roselle Orate, chief of the Laguna police information office.

The charges were filed with the San Pablo City prosecutor’s office late last week.

Orate said the seven respondents were among the 12 officers, including Victoria police chief Senior Inspector Jerry Abalos and his deputy Inspector Jesus Labrador, who were removed from their posts in connection with the killings of Raymond Reyes and Afred Magdaong.

Senior Superintendent Florendo Saligao, Laguna police director, said Abalos, Labrador and three other officers – Police Officer 1 Serafin Inte Jr., Police Officer 3 Jerry Ohagan and Police Officer 2 Benedict Mercado – remain under restrictive custody.

The bodies of Reyes and Magdaong were found with gunshot wounds in the head in Sitio Maabo, San Pablo City two weeks ago.

Witnesses and relatives of the victims said the two were seen at the Victoria police station hours before they were found dead.