NCRPO issues memo on resolving deaths linked to drug campaign

FILE: Philippine National Police (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook

MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has released a memorandum circular containing principles and guidelines on how to resolve alleged cases of extrajudicial killing (EJKs) in relation to “homicide cases under investigation (HCUI) during police operations” on the campaign against illegal drugs.

The memo circular, signed by NCRPO chief, Director Oscar Albayalde, adopts the procedures in criminal investigation in studying facts used to identify, locate and prove the guilt of an accused criminal.

From July 1, 2016 to April 23, 2017, the NCRPO recorded 2,568 cases of HCUIs in which 1,282 were categorized as drug-related, 488 are suspected as drug-related, and 798 deemed as non-drug related. Of this, 422 had been solved and cleared.

Albayalde ordered the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division to hasten the investigation to achieve zero backlog on HCUIs.

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He also ordered police units under him to ensure efficient, responsive and coordinated efforts in terms of the campaign to inform and update the public on actions taken in resolving HCUIs.

“Keeping the public informed is our way of returning their trust, support and cooperation to us,” Albayalde added.

 (PNA)