Espenido, 3 others to answer murder raps on Aug. 29

MANILA — Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido and three other police officers on Tuesday appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges filed against them in connection with the death of suspected robbers last June in Ozamiz City.

During the hearing, Investigating Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon required Espenido, the police chief of Ozamiz City; Chief Inspector Glyndo Lagrimas, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr., and Police Officer 1 Sandra Louise Nadayag to submit their counter affidavits on Aug. 29 on the charges of murder and arbitrary detention.

The four policemen are being accused of killing the suspected robbers during the series of raids in Cabinti and Balintawak villages in Ozamis last June 1 where six other suspects were arrested.

Police recovered firearms, pieces of jewelry, and sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects during the raids.

The complaints were filed by relatives of Francisco Manzano, one of the nine suspected robbers killed during the encounter.

Last July 30, the Ozamiz police chief also led the anti-drug operations in the city which resulted in the death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 14 others.

The slain mayor’s children, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and Reynaldo Jr., were arrested during the raid and later charged with drug possession and illegal possession of firearms.