MANILA, Philippines — Three policemen are facing murder raps over the death of Quezon City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco, the National Bureau of Investigation said on Monday.
In a statement, the NBI said that it has recommended the filing of murder charges against SPO2 Rodante Sicat Lalimarmo, PO3 Arthur Yasonia Lucy and PO1 Jose Lunar Mercardo over the killing of Velasco last May 11.
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According to the NBI, its Death Investigation Division (NBI-DID) found that there is probable cause to file murder raps against the three policemen and eight other unidentified suspects.
Gierran said that the complaints against the three cops—who are still in active duty—were filed before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office last week.
The NBI said that their agents conducted three months of “thorough and exhaustive investigation” into the case.
In a separate press conference, DID investigation agent Ariel Ross Calub said that they scoured footage from CCTV cameras in the area, including Quezon City circle.
The NBI also stressed that they conducted a separate investigation from the police.
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Velasco was the fifth prosecutor killed since the start of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Velasco was shot to death last May. He was driving his car along Holy Spirit Drive in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City when at least four men rained bullets on his car at around 4:55 p.m.
He was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center but was declared dead at around 6:07 p.m. Velasco suffered at least 12 gunshot wounds, according to the police.
Police Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, district director of Quezon City Police District, earlier said that the killing of Velasco may be related to his job as prosecutor.
He said that Velasco is the “chief prosecutor and majority of the cases we have filed are related to illegal drugs.” — Kristine Joy Patag